New York Knicks: 10 Bold Predictions for Jeremy Lin After Linsanity

Now that Jeremy Lin has taken the NBA by storm, what happens next for the young star? 

Linsanity has become a phenomenon. Not just for the NBA. Not just in the United States. But all over the world.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll assume that Linsanity has reached its apex and will slowly begin to quiet down for the rest of the season.

However, this does not mean that Jeremy Lin’s play will decline and he will fall back into obscurity. It simply implies that the initial shock of Linsanity has subsided. 

Once the dust settles and Linsanity tones down, what is in store for Jeremy Lin after the 2012 NBA season?

He Will Make at Least Five All-Star Teams

From this point on, Jeremy Lin has a huge shot at being the Eastern Conference's starting point guard in numerous All-Star games.

This doesn't mean that he deserves the start over players such as Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo or Deron Williams, but his total votes will far surpass theirs.

Think about this: Yao Ming played in seven consecutive All-Star games from 2002-2009. His first three years, his output didn't warrant his selection. The next four years he put up great stats but missed 91 combined games.

His advantage was absolutely in the Asian population, both international and domestic, who voted for his inclusion. He was even chosen to the 2011 All-Star Game in a season in which he played five games.

Jeremy Lin is just a much of a star as Yao is. There are four billion people in Asia. Put those two together and Lin will be a staple in the NBA All-Star Game for years to come.

He Will Receive a Long-Term Contract from the Knicks

For those of you who are nervous about Jeremy Lin bolting elsewhere after the 2012 season, you don't have to be.

Here, ESPN's Larry Coon outlines how the New York Knicks would be able to retain Lin's services in the future.

In layman's terms, he's a restricted free agent for his first three seasons because he wasn't a first-round draft pick. This means that the Knicks would have the right to match any contract that he is offered by another team.

If a team does vie for his services in the offseason, the Knicks would have to tap into their mid-level exception to match the deal, which would prevent them from signing a marquee free agent. 

That's not a big deal, though, because James Dolan, Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden, has money pouring out of his ears.

And he's got some large ears.

Look for the Knicks to sign Lin to a deal that keeps him playing at MSG for years to come.

He Will Only Get Better

As you can see in the above picture, Jeremy Lin sometimes gets himself into precarious positions on the court that lead to mishaps.

These mishaps include face plants, turnovers and downright sloppy play.

He can do just about everything except go left (we'll address that in a few slides) but one of the main faults in his game is that he's been too erratic. He's been a bit of a bull in a china shop early on in his career, careening into the lane and losing the ball in the paint.

That won't be a problem after 2012, though.

Many people stress that Lin's effectiveness will diminish because teams will have more of a sample to put on their scouting reports.

This proposition is a bit too much. What do you think Lin is doing when all the teams are game-planning for him? He's game-planning for them. He's no slacker. And if anyone can figure out how to counter a game plan, it's Lin.

The turnovers will decrease in the future, but not down to one or two a game like so many people would like. Coach Mike D'Antoni's system calls for a few high-risk plays over the course of a game, so Lin's turnover numbers are a bit skewed.

His scoring numbers may not go up, but his overall play will. After almost a full season with the team, he will have the ability to involve all of his teammates like a true point guard.

The Knicks Will Reach at Least the Conference Semifinals the Next Two Seasons

The general consensus with this New York Knicks team before Jeremy Lin's arrival was that they had what they needed to win, except a point guard.

Lin has filled that gaping hole in the offense and since his first game, the team has been playing inspired defense.

He keeps his composure when the game is on the line, as shown against the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lin gives the Knicks a guy to look to in the closing seconds other than Carmelo Anthony. They have two people on the team with ice in their veins and who aren't afraid to have the ball in their hands come crunch time.

The Knicks' transition game can hang with the best teams in the league. When Lin is on his game, the half-court offense operates seamlessly.

A more experienced Jeremy Lin will lead to future playoff success for the Knickerbockers.

He Will Be in the Top Five in Assists Starting in 2013

In his first 14 games as the New York Knicks starting point guard, Jeremy Lin has averaged 8.9 assists per game. If he were qualified to be ranked amongst the league leaders, he would trail only Steve Nash and Rajon Rondo in that department.

Lin has exceptional court vision and typically looks to pass before he shoots, especially since the return of Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony.

Add in that his court vision will only improve with experience, and it's not hard to tell he will be at the top of the league in assists next season.

He might even be able to rank in the top five this season, as the requirements for qualification are lower in this lockout-shortened season than usual.

Knicks fans can look forward to watching Lin evolve as a point guard and become one of the best in the NBA. 

He’ll Complete His Game by Polishing His Left Hand

Jeremy Lin's output suffers when teams can force him to his left. That's obviously a big problem.

But if you don't think Lin is going to be walking around everyday dribbling a basketball with his left hand this offseason, you have another thing coming.

He looks his worst when teams use the double-team to close off the right side of the court. This is when Lin does that whole "launch-myself-into-the-paint-thing" that he's become accustomed to.

That's if he even gets into the paint though. When going left, he frequently has the ball poked out by a closing defender.

But that's really his only weakness.

Once he gets better with his left hand (and he will have to if he wants to become one of the best), the turnovers will decrease and another side of the court will open up for new passes.

If Lin polishes his left-hand dribble, he'll be able to drive to the left side of the hoop with the same tenacity that he does when going right.

He Will Be on the Knicks Longer Than Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony is signed to the New York Knicks until the 2014-2015 NBA season. His final year, in which he will make over $24 million, has a player option clause.

If the Knicks fail to meet expectations this season, fans will be grumbling for a change. 

That change could be sending Melo to another team.

Lin is unlikely to demand a contract of Melo's value, so it will be easier to keep him. Plus, he's a fan favorite.

Melo has been a whipping boy for fans as of late, as many people question whether he can fit in with this offense.

Not to say that Melo should be traded, but James Dolan hasn't exactly made the best decisions in past transactions.

The team is also getting absurd national and international coverage thanks to Jeremy Lin. It could be said that Dolan may have a mild case of megalomania. 

If the Knicks' 2012 season ends in disappointing fashion, some adjustments might be in store.

Lin and Yao Will Team Up to Form an International Mega-Empire

You have to believe that a business partnership between the two international sensations is in the works. 

Think about what Jeremy Lin and Yao Ming could do for the NBA in Asia should they combine their popularity into one venture.

Here's a quote from a New York Post article pertaining to Lin's potential endorsements:

"

“Jeremy’s agent, Roger Montgomery, has had over 1,000 e-mails from companies who want to strike endorsement deals with him,” a source told The Post. “There’s been so much interest, and so many people reaching out, it is overwhelming. They’re working to build a team to handle all this, and hiring marketing and p.r. executives. He has met with IMG.”

"

One thousand people tried to contact this guy for an endorsement deal since he began starting for the Knicks on February 4th. 

IMG already. Is that for real? They literally run the world of sports, fashion and media.

Imagine what Yao and Lin could accomplish touring the entire Asian continent for the purposes of promoting the NBA.

He Will Play Until He’s 37

Steve Nash, a guy who Jeremy Lin has been compared to, is 38 years old and still putting out stellar performances.

Lin obviously isn't Nash.

Not yet.

However, he is capable of the same longevity and durability that Nash has exhibited throughout his career.

Lin gets absolutely pounded during games but he just keeps on coming. Even when he's tired, his performance doesn't falter all that much.

He keeps himself in tremendous shape and undoubtedly has the work ethic to keep in top form. His love for the game will surely keep him going.

He'll Get Mike D'Antoni an Extension

Jeremy Lin saved Coach Mike D'Antoni's job once already, and he could very well get him a new contract.

D'Antoni was on his way out before Lin came to the rescue. The Knicks were bottom-feeding at 8-15 and D'Antoni had such a defeated look on his face it was almost pathetic.

In 2008, D'Antoni signed a four-year, $24 million deal to coach the team. This is the last season of his contract. 

Had Lin not become a starter, the Knicks wouldn't have rattled off seven straight wins, and D'Antoni would have been sitting at home.

Now that Lin has revitalized the team and all of New York City, D'Antoni should be able to secure a new deal if the Knicks make some noise in the 2012 playoffs.