Jeremy Lin: 7 Ways the New York Knicks Can Keep 'Linsanity' Going

Nobody wants the Linsanity to end, so the New York Knicks must follow these seven steps to keep the fun train rolling.

Can Jeremy Lin keep up the scorching 25-point, 10-assist pace he had entering into last week? The law of averages, proven with a humbling experience against the Miami Heat, suggests he probably can’t.

At the same time, everything we’ve seen from Jeremy Lin so far indicates he can be a VERY solid NBA starting point guard.

 His job is certainly made easier by having Mike D’Antoni and Amar’e Stoudemire around.

Lin has shown nice chemistry with Amar’e Stoudemire, especially when running the high pick and roll. Because Stoudemire is athletic enough to finish and a fantastic floor stretcher from mid-range, defenses usually must trap him first, thereby opening lanes for Lin to attack.

Those two should be paired at all times. Rest them together and let Carmelo create his own shots when they’re out.

Lin is a very good decision maker, despite the high turnover rate. Continuing a high dosage of pick and roll plays from the wings and top of the key will keep the defense from overloading on Lin, like the Miami Heat did when trapping him into that eight-point, three-assist, eight-turnover game before the All-Star Break.

Mike D’Antoni is famous for driving his starters hard. Lin might have young legs, but he’s never logged a season like this before, much less a full NBA campaign at all.

With Baron Davis back and Toney Douglas still around, the Knicks can afford to rest Lin for longer stretches than they did in early February. The kid needs his legs under him. Jeremy Lin likes to attack the basket. The Knicks have had success when Lin can kick the ball out to long range snipers like Steve Novak and now, J.R. Smith.

 If his confidence is slightly shaken after sub-par outings against Miami and at All-Star weekend, Mike D’Antoni can boost Lin’s mojo by putting the ball back in his hands at the end of games.

 Whether he takes the shot or just sets up somebody like Carmelo Anthony, this keeps Lin in hero mode.

Lin is at his best when moving in mid-range and attacking the basket. This keeps defenses honest and opens up his jump shots.

If he begins to settle from outside, it will make him rather one dimensional and average. Defenses will smell blood in the water, close out faster and trap harder.

Outside of fewer turnovers, New York’s offense wasn’t that much better  statistically with Jeremy Lin and sans Stoudemire and Melo.

But, they did become a very respectable defensive club in February.

The Knicks hawked the ball much more effectively, creating a few more easy steals for Jeremy Lin and others. This got the Knicks out and running, setting up fast break situations where Lin thrived.

Defense must continue as a team priority if the suddenly deep Knicks can turn Linsanity into a Playoff berth.

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