Jeremy Lin: Knicks PG is Key to NY Passing Heat in East

The New York Knicks still don't know whether or not the early bird rights case with Jeremy Lin will go their way, even after an arbitrator ruled in their favor last week. 

But Lin is expected back with the Knicks in either scenario, and that's a good thing for New York. Lin holds the key to unlocking the stranglehold the Miami Heat currently have over the Eastern Conference. 

Lin's return to New York is likely nothing more than a formality at this point, with his bird rights case the only hurdle left to jump.

Howard Beck of The New York Times reported last week that arbitrator Kenneth Dam ruled in favor of both Lin and Steve Novak in their early bird rights case. The positive outcome for the Knicks seemingly meant that New York could retain both without using any of their salary cap exceptions. 

However, the NBA is appealing the ruling, and the next decision could take as much as 40 days to complete. 

The NBA's free agency period begins Sunday, July 1. 

But despite that uncertainty and free agency looming, the Knicks are confident Lin will be back in New York. At this point, no reason exists to think he won't be. 

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Knicks head coach Mike Goodson is certain Lin will return. 

"

Absolutely he’s going to be back. We like what he brings to the table. He’s our starting point guard. He’s a young point guard who’s still learning, and he’s going to be better. That’s what happens to good, young players. If they work at their craft, they’ll be much better for it. Absolutely, he wants to be here.

"

While Lin being back is a no-brainer, how he develops as an NBA point guard is less certain. When push comes to shove, that development will decide how good this Knicks team can be. 

Lin burst onto the scene in early February and later went on to average 20.9 points and 8.4 assists during the first month of his starting tenure. The averages would eventually drop to 14.6 and 6.2 over the course of the entire season, but Lin had already established himself as a player on the rise. 

Knee surgery late in the season would keep Lin out of the 2012 playoffs, where the Knicks lost in five games to the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat.

Yet for the Knicks to eventually overcome the Heat in the Eastern Conference, Lin will have some growing up to do over the next couple of seasons.

He struggled last season in his brief action vs. Miami. 

In Lin's one game against the Heat last season, he scored just eight points and turned it over eight times. Miami pressured the ball throughout the contest and Lin's attacking style was kept in check. On the other end of the floor, Miami attacked Lin's suspect defense without mercy.

However, Lin's playing style is conducive to success against Miami, especially when you consider what Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has been able to accomplish in his career against the Heat.

Rondo averaged 20.9 points, 11.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds during the Celtics' seven-game series loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals.

If Lin can continue improving as a player—much like Rondo has done while under the wing of Boston's Big 3—the Knicks should have the necessary pieces in place to make a run in the East.

Carmelo Anthony gives New York star power, Amare Stoudemire is a capable big man in the post and Lin can serve as the attacking guard that has pestered Miami in the past. New York can then add the pieces around its trio like Miami has already done so well lately.

While Anthony, Stoudemire and Lin aren't exactly the "Big 3" that Pierce, Garnett and Allen/Rondo are, the progression of Lin into that discussion would certainly give the Knicks a better chance in a seven-game series than what we witnessed earlier this summer in the postseason.

It's a lot to put on the shoulders of a guy who will only be starting his second NBA season of significant playing time. But there's no doubting the fact that Lin holds the key for this Knicks team.