Jeremy Lin: Polarizing PG Is Key to Knicks' 2012 Season

Carmelo Anthony was brilliant in the final games of the 2012 regular season and was masterful in the playoffs, but the New York Knicks could only muster one win against the Miami Heat in the first round of this year's postseason. 

The key to everything coming together next season? 

Point guard Jeremy Lin. 

Yes, "Linsanity" was fun while it lasted, but no, I'm not a delusional fan who sees the Harvard graduate as the next Chris Paul. 

He's not the next Paul, Deron Williams or Rajon Rondo, but on a Knicks team with Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and an assortment of role players who found themselves this season like Steve Novak and Iman Shumpert, (barring his health) Lin doesn't need to be a miracle worker. 

What Spike Lee's favorite team needs is a distributing, make-everyone-better point guard, and that's the type of player Lin can and needs to become. 

During his famous 2011 season at Madison Square Garden, Lin averaged 14.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals with 3.6 turnovers per game. 

Many of the turnovers stemmed from the athletically limited Lin trying to do much when Anthony was sidelined and a clear forcing of the issue when Anthony returned. 

Though he does have a natural scoring affinity when he's on the court, his real forte is attacking the basket and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Lin wouldn't feel as much pressure if he wasn't relied upon to score as frequently.  

I understand that 'Melo can get his shot whenever he wants and has done the overwhelming majority of his damage with the ball in his hands. 

However, he's also a pure shooter and could benefit from a point guard looking to find him in easing scoring positions. 

The Knicks can't bank on Anthony taking the ball, going one-on-one and scoring 40 points every time out. We've seen that doesn't yield desired results.

Every club needs an orchestrator to run the offense, and in his second year in New York, Jeremy Lin can be that guy. 

He's vital to the Knicks celebrating more than just one playoff win next season.