Jeremy Lin: Point Guard Is Better off Without Carmelo Anthony and Knicks

Jeremy Lin's emergence saved the Knicks from a potentially embarrassing season in 2011, but New York doesn't seem to appreciate what the Harvard graduate brought to the table.

According to New York Post reporter Marc Berman, the Knicks will not match the Houston Rockets' offer sheet for Lin's services.

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One NBA source insisted the Knicks, with Felton’s addition, will not match Lin’s new, ramped-up $25 million offer sheet from the Rockets. The Knicks will have three days to reconsider amid a potential backlash.

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Berman refers to the Knicks' acquisition of Raymond Felton earlier in his report. The sign-and-trade agreement with Portland really leaves no place for Lin in New York.

That's fine. He doesn't need the Knicks. I'm not one of those people who are ready to declare Lin a star because of last year's hype, but he deserves some respect. His production as the facilitator of New York's offense last year cannot be overlooked, despite his turnover-prone play.

Lin should invite a move to Houston with open arms. The Knicks obviously think he's replaceable (he is), and he will never shake that status, but he deserves a fair chance to continue his 2011 success. He deserves to be backed by an organization that sees him as a starter and he shouldn't have to do it with the team's "star" player looking over his shoulder.

The New York Daily News refers to Carmelo Anthony's thoughts on Houston's offer. He believes the contract is "ridiculous," and maybe he's right. It may wind up being an absurd deal to offer a vastly unproven point guard, but that's not the point.

Lin needs to distance himself from the Knicks for Anthony's comments alone. It sums up the whole situation. Whether it's right or not, Anthony and the Knicks clearly don't have Lin's back. That isn't going to change.

I'll stay away from why Anthony shouldn't be talking about anyone else's reputation (besides scoring, what exactly is it that he does?).

This isn't about Lin ever becoming the next great NBA point guard because he won't, but he definitely earned at least one year of unquestioned "starter" status for an NBA team.

The Rockets' organization cut Lin in December, and they obviously regret that. The Knicks will regret this as well, but, in their case, it will be too late.