Slam Dunk? Mike Woodson 'Absolutely' Sees Jeremy Lin Back With Knicks
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Jeremy Lin may soon find himself with a host of suitors, but Knicks coach Mike Woodson is confident the point guard will re-sign with New York.
"Absolutely he's going to be back," Woodson told the New York Post. "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. ... Absolutely, he wants to be here."
Lin, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler were "wined and dined" by Woodson for two nights in Los Angeles last week, the Post reported. The website TMZ.com captured the coach and Lin sharing a fist-bump after dinner at Mastro's Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.
But it wasn't all cloth napkins and prime rib. Woodson said he worked out the players, too.
"(Lin is) a big part of what we're doing," he said. "All those guys are big pieces of the puzzle as far as moving forward with the ballclub. To be able to go out and sit with them, gives them a chance to bond."
With his Bird rights restored, the stage has been set for Lin to re-sign. But the talk of the league last season, who will become a restricted free agent on July 1, is expected to have multiple suitors. It has been speculated that Toronto, Dallas and Portland -- for starters -- may be in the hunt.
Woodson doesn't just like his chances of retaining Lin. He admitted there's some work to do but insisted the team will be "just fine," no matter what Phil Jackson thinks.
"Phil is a great coach,'' Woodson told the Post. "He's done wonderful things for our league. I wish him the best on what he decides to do, but I like our chances. I like our team and the makeup of our team."
Do you think Lin re-signing with the Knicks is a slam dunk? Be heard in the comments below!
