NBA Playoffs 2012: Can a Jeremy Lin Return Offset Stoudemire Absence for Knicks

Could the return of Jeremy Lin combat the misfortune the New York Knicks have faced and get them a win in their first-round matchup?

It couldn't get any worst for the New York Knicks as they leave South Beach.

Down 2-0 to the Miami Heat, Iman Shumpert gone for the season due to a torn ACL and now the absence of Amar'e Stoudemire.

The odds are looking real slim for the Knicks as they head back to the Empire State. 

Could the answer for all this be Linsanity 2.0?

The answer is no, even a little Linsanity couldn't help the Knicks right now against the Miami Heat.

Bringing Lin back would just cause more media craze and higher expectations for the Knicks to win, if Lin was able to suite up for Mike Woodson. 

Chemistry

For some odd reason, the Knicks are a better team when only one star player is on the court.

When Amar'e was the only one playing, the Knicks looked like they couldn't be stopped. Amar'e also had the bounce from Phoenix that we rarely even see anymore.

Without Amar'e in the lineup, the Knicks were 14-5, clearly a better-ran team without the big man. And without Carmelo Anthony in the lineup, the Knicks were 7-1, all due to the Linsanity that swept over New York.

With those stats, it shows that Madison Square Garden is only built for one superstar at a time.

Bringing in Lin right now would just make the situation worst.

Carmelo Anthony looked like a late season MVP when he propelled the Knicks into a late playoff spot.

This is when Carmelo is at his best, being the only scorer on the court and creating his own shots. When you add Lin to the mix, it slows down the pace of the game and Anthony becomes less of a scorer with Lin in the game.

The both of these players still haven't gained the chemistry that is needed to run a team together.

Maybe an offseason would help the two, but the Knicks with their backs against the wall, it wouldn't be the time to try this experiment.

Defense

Right now, the Knicks need defense more than ever with the Heat filling up the box score in both games. Lin is not your best defender and that is no secret, with Lin being more of an offensive spark plug than anything.

With Mike Woodson big on defense, Lin would more than likely see himself with limited minutes. Most players have bought into the defense-first system Woodson has installed.

Even Carmelo is playing defense, one of his weakest points over his career.

Mario Chambers is no slack player, meaning that Lin would be forced to play defense or it would be a long game and series for the Knicks.

The Knicks really need somebody to fill the void of Iman Shumpert. Shumpert was the scrappiest defensive player for the Knicks and could guard any teams’ best player.

The job that he did on Derrick Rose in their Easter game versus the Chicago Bulls was phenomenal. If Lin can bring that type of defense, then that would be a big game changer.

Rebounding

Finally, rebounding has been one of the Knicks' weakest points throughout the whole season.

With the loss of Amar'e in the middle, the rebounding is only going to get worst. Lin is not a rebounder so that wouldn't help the Knicks at this point unless he could go head to head with Chris Bosh.

At this point, what would Lin really bring to the Knicks that would change this series?

Nothing.

The Knicks have been playing some of their best basketball, but just have been out played by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and company.

The only real answer the Knicks need right now is a miracle when they return to New York—maybe Spike Lee can give some moral support.