Jeremy Lin Injury: Star PG Wouldn't Have Stopped Collapse vs. Heat

It's hard to argue Jeremy Lin wouldn't make a difference to the New York Knicks' series against the Miami Heat.

It's even harder to argue he could have saved his team on Saturday, though. New York imploded in Game 1 against Miami, losing by 33 points thanks to embarrassing performances in the second and third quarters.

A healthy Lin may have narrowed the point differential, but not by much. The young point guard has impressed in countless ways, but maintaining possession of the ball isn't one of them. The Knicks managed to turn the ball over 24 times against Miami—a problem unlikely to be remedied by Lin's 3.6 turnovers a game.

In his lone audition against the Heat this season, the instant superstar turned the rock over eight times and made just one of 11 field goal attempts.

Still a rookie for all intents and purposes, Lin might not have fared much better in this series. Forget the expectations attached to his nascent celebrity—this guy has yet to face anything like the Miami Heat amidst playoff intensity.

He'll be able to handle that pressure one day, but even great players can be hampered by inexperience in these situations.

Jeremy Lin may face a career's worth of challenges against this particular club, and he wouldn't be the only one—just ask Derrick Rose. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade can be defensively overwhelming with their strength, quickness and size.

They're also more than happy to guard opposing point guards.

But, even if Lin could have instantly solved his problems with Miami, the Knicks have bigger problems at the moment.

Among the self-inflicted wounds, Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire combined for just 20 points on 5-of-22 shooting on Saturday. Tyson Chandler had seven turnovers and just three rebounds.

The Knicks look outmatched in every facet of the game, from focus and energy to sheer talent.

Lin wouldn't have changed any of that. He also couldn't have done anything about the absolutely unforgivable officiating that put the Heat on the free-throw line 22 more times than New York.

The slightest contact allowed James to camp out at that line throughout the first half while the Knicks were manhandled into turnovers and missed shots, especially in the second quarter. New York never recovered—they were deflated by the Heat, the referees and themselves.

The Knicks would be a better team with their starting point guard on the floor. There's no question about that.

Still, nothing short of divine intervention could have changed New York's fortunes in Game 1.

The Knicks don't need Jeremy Lin right now. They just need to be more like him. They need his focus, determination and grit more than anything else right now.

It will take that and more to get back in this series.