NBA Free Agency 2012: Jeremy Lin Backlash Signals Knicks Are Doomed
Champions care about Ws—not dollar signs.
The clock is ticking on the Jeremy Lin-era in NYC. In 2012 NBA free agency, the Houston Rockets took advantage of their opportunity to offer poison-pill contracts, and it looks like it’ll net them Lin.
While such a loss should be a cause for alarm, the New York Knicks are unfazed by his potential departure. Their selfish attitudes show a weakness that proves the franchise is headed down a road to destruction.
Rod Boone of Newsday reported that, when asked about the possibility that the Knicks match the Rockets’ offer, Carmelo Anthony responded with a surprising jab. Boone tweeted:
"Melo on #Knicks Lin saga: "It's not up to me. It's up to the organization to say that they want to match that ridiculous contract."
— Rod Boone (@rodboone) July 15, 2012"
Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated also reported that J.R. Smith sang the same tune. When asked if Lin’s return would rub some of his teammates the wrong way, he said:
"Without a doubt. I think some guys take it personal, because they've been doing it longer and haven't received any reward for it yet. I think it's a tough subject to touch on for a lot of guys.
"
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you two prime examples of the entitlement issue that exists in America today.
No point guard on the Knicks’ roster gives them a better chance to win than Lin—there’s no debating that.
Lin averaged 14.6 points and 6.2 assists per game last year compared to Raymond Felton’s 11.4 points and 6.5 assists and Jason Kidd’s 6.2 points and 5.5 assists. And while Felton and Kidd’s assist numbers aren’t significant drop offs from Lin, they don’t tell the whole story of the trio’s effectiveness.
According to player efficiency ratings from John Hollinger of ESPN, Lin was a top-10 point guard in the NBA last season. While he recorded a PER of 19.97, Felton finished 2012 with a 13.46 rating and Kidd a 13.11. The veterans weren’t even productive enough to place among the top 40 floor generals.
New York also went 16-10 last year when Lin was in the starting five. When he wasn't, the Knicks failed more times than not, going 21-24.
But forget the fact that Lin gives the Knicks their best chance to win, right? After starting just 25 games in his career, he doesn’t deserve more money than the players on their roster who earned their salary.
Give me a break.
Not of that Kit Kat bar, but of the Knicks’ selfishness. They’re like little children.
If money, of all things, is capable of turning a team against an individual player, they’ll never be mentally strong enough to win an NBA championship. Of course, with Melo and Smith on the same team, I guess the Knicks were never really gunning for a high-IQ ballclub.
A strong teammate would congratulate Lin on a payday—maybe make him pick up the bill the next time they eat at a five-star restaurant—but petty jealousy? Really? That’s the attitude of a bona fide loser.
New York is doomed. It’s crystal clear that they care far more about their mythical chain of command formed by dollars and cents than winning basketball games.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
