NY Knicks: Bold Predictions for Jeremy Lin and Company the Rest of the Season

Jeremy Lin turned in his first disappointing performance as the New York Knicks' starting point guard last night.

The Knicks had already lost two games during their Lin-sane run, but this was the first time the overnight sensation was made human. He scored single-digit points for the first time as a starter and matched his eight points with eight turnovers, and the Knicks deservedly lost by 14 points to the NBA's best team, the Miami Heat.

Rather than break down the reasons why the Knicks lost (turnovers, terrible defense, poor ball movement and ugly shooting) the time has come to look at what the future holds for New York.

The loss to Miami was a wake up call, one the Knicks desperately needed, and with All-Star weekend upon us, this team, and Jeremy Lin specifically, needs a break.

So what does the rest of the Knicks' season look like?

Roster Changes and Rotation

For one, they have an incredibly deep rotation now. Lin, Landry Fields, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler are the likely starting five for the remainder of the season. The only spot where something could change is at two-guard, but we've seen a resurgent Landry with Lin at the point.

Baron Davis is healthy for the time being and J.R. Smith is the first guy off the bench. These new additions to the back court, along with Iman Shumpert when he returns from injury, make Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas expendable.

Josh Harrellson is going to be a factor for New York when he returns as well and that will cut into Jared Jeffries' minutes. That said, they're two drastically different players who have strengths and weaknesses against different opponents. Harrellson will be a factor, but Jeffries will still be used.

Billy Walker is also currently injured and he, like Smith, is an instant offense type of guy off the bench.

The problem is that Melo commands about 30-34 minutes per game and now the Knicks have to find a way to make time for as many as five different players at virtually one-and-a-half positions.

Shumpert can play point guard, but Lin will be on the floor a lot with Davis backing him up. Shumpert's development will be compromised unless D'Antoni figures out a way to work Smith, Shump and Walker behind Fields and Melo.

Prediction: Douglas and/or Bibby cut loose or left inactive. Knicks roll with 11 to 12-man rotation every night.

Linsanity

Things will die down for the young superstar as he will face tougher defensive matchups as the season goes on. That said, he's proven himself a viable scorer and playmaker in this league and will not be denied long.

His success, however, hinges on how his teammates, mainly Melo and STAT, adapt defensive changes. If teams focus on pressuring Lin and forcing him to take bad shots the way the Heat did, somebody else has to step up.

If Melo can catch fire from the wing, or STAT can start working a successful pick-and-roll game, or any combination of the two, defenses will have to play more honest.

Should the Knicks find a recipe that forces teams to try and defend Lin, Melo and STAT, the Knicks will become an offensive juggernaut. With a bit more time and cohesion this isn't only possible, but likely if everyone "buys in."

Prediction: Lin finishes the season with averages of at least 20 points and 7 assists per game. He will also continue to be the league's most popular player.

Schedule and Playoff Seeding

The Knickerbockers have themselves a fairly difficult second half schedule, including a four-game road trip one game after they return from the break.

An overwhelming majority of their schedule is against Eastern Conference opponents, but they do have have trips out West against the Mavericks (March 6) and Spurs (March 7) while hosting the Blazers (March 14) and Clippers (April 25).

They'll battle with the East's current No. 2 and No. 3 seeds respectively, Chicago and Indiana, three times each.

They only have to play the Heat once more, but do have the No. 4-seeded 76ers twice.

The Knicks will travel to Atlanta twice and also take on the rival Celtics and Magic twice, once at home and once on the road for each.

We'll know how good the Knicks really are by season's end. They play some of the best in the league multiple times, but also have more than a few winnable games.

Prediction: Knicks earn No. 5 seed

Playoffs

The Knicks will be desperate to earn better than a seven or eight seed. Going up against Miami or Chicago is not what they want at all.

That said, the Pacers, Sixers, Magic (who could fall mightily if Howard is traded) and Hawks are all beatable.

Best case scenario for the current No. 7 seed is to catch the Hawks and hope the Magic continue to slide. Whether Dwight Howard leaves or not, the drama surrounding his potential exit has hurt this team this season.

A five or six seed likely means a tri-state battle with Philly, or even a shot at their former rivals in Indiana. That would give the Knicks and their fan base a chance at winning a series and doing so against teams they hate. What more could you want?

All bets are off in the second round though.

Prediction: Knicks upset higher seed in Round 1, lose in Game 6 of Round 2

Summer Plans

The Knicks will find a way to keep Lin (likely with Gilbert Arenas rule) and sign no new players in effort to stay under the cap.

They'll also bring back Landry with a qualifying offer, but have tough decisions to make on Jeffries, Walker and Novak. Only way they return is for the right price.