Jeremy Lin: New York Knicks Will Not Get Past First-Round Opponent Without PG

Jeremy Lin’s lengthy recovery from knee surgery is going to cost the New York Knicks a playoff run.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, the star himself said he doesn’t believe the healing process is going fast enough to allow him to return for the Knicks' first-round series.

"I think unless something goes really well I wouldn't get there," Lin said before Sunday's Knicks-Bulls game.

New York isn’t even 100 percent sure they will qualify for the postseason yet. They are sitting just two games ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks, with eight matchups left for each of them.

However, the Knickerbockers got a huge win on Wednesday night over the Bucks and are in control of their own destiny at this point.

Unfortunately, even if they push into the playoffs, that feel-good moment is going to end with a quick first-round exit due to injuries.

Just like their 2011 playoff hopes were derailed by an Amar’e Stoudemire back injury and Chauncey Billups’ strained left knee (NY was swept by Boston), the 2012 postseason looks like déjà vu.

Stoudemire is once again missing time with a back problem right before the playoffs, and while the Knicks might have found a new PG, he has an all so familiar knee issue that is going to cost them a shot at contending.

As the No. 8 seed, New York is almost sure to draw the Chicago Bulls in the first round, and they simply don’t have a shot with Carmelo Anthony as their only healthy superstar. Chicago is far too loaded with talent and has a deep bench. They’ll have fresh defenders swarming Anthony every time he touches the ball and will force him to defer.

If Lin and Stoudemire were active and healthy, they could compete and punish the defense for doubling. But a hobbled STAT and an aging Baron Davis aren’t exactly enough to beat the best team in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks need to figure out a way to keep their starters healthy next season in time for a playoff run, or this depressing trend is going to continue.