NBA Rumors: Knicks Wisely Not Leaning on Return of Jeremy Lin for Game 5

If New York Knicks fans are looking for a savior this postseason, look no further than Carmelo Anthony.

Boosted by the return of Amar'e Stoudemire and some timely shooting from Mike Bibby, the Knicks parried the Miami Heat's death blow in Game 4 and will look to do so again in Game 5—only they'll have to do it with only one true point guard on the court.

Overnight sensation Jeremy Lin isn't "playoff ready" for a number of reasons, his health being chief among them. Unfortunately, health at the point guard spot is a problem in New York as it's now lost two point guards—rookie Iman Shumpert and veteran Baron Davis—for the season to injuries in this series.

The only legitimate point guard left is veteran Mike Bibby, and the Knicks aren't about to rush Jeremy Lin onto the court because of it.

Mike Woodson was quoted by USA Today writer Jeff Zillgitt, saying, "I'm not counting on Jeremy Lin to play." When asked about who else will see time at the point, he said, "It's my job to put the right pieces in place on the floor."

Counting on Lin is pointless for multiple reasons. One, he's not healthy. Two, he's never played a postseason game before. And three, he doesn't fit with the Knicks' "Melo" offense anyway.

That is not saying that Linsanity and Melo won't work in the future, but right now, with the season on the line, they need to keep doing what got them here.

The superstar forward scored 41 points in 41 minutes against the Heat in Game 4, and he'll need to deliver a similar performance if they're to have any chance of success in Game 5.

Lin would certainly be another welcome body, considering little-used Toney Douglas and sixth man J.R. Smith are the other options to see time at the point guard position, but hoping for him to be the guy he was during the "Linsane" run would be foolish.

The Knicks were lucky to steal one game from LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat, and they'll be lucky to see Game 6. But if they are to get lucky, it won't have anything to do with Jeremy Lin.