Knicks' Jeremy Lin Ready To Share Court With Anthony, Stoudemire; Will 'Linsanity' Suffer?
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- All eyes are on Jeremy Lin.
The Harvard product has inspired the Tri-State area -- and the nation -- by leading the once-floundering Knicks to five wins in a row. And he's done it without top stars Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.
The question now is: what will happen when "Stat and Melo" return?
Will the Knicks keep on Lin-ning?
"When they come back, I don't know how long or even if there will be an adjustment period, but I think obviously they're two of the top players in the league," Lin said after Saturday night's 100-98 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. "We just need to find a way to quickly come together and continue riding this momentum. If we all come together it's crazy.
"We don't know how good we can be. The potential is there though for sure."
Stoudemire spent last week in Florida mourning the death of his older brother Hazell. He's expected to play Tuesday in Toronto after rejoining the team for practice Monday.
Anthony, out with a strained groin, could also play against the Raptors, though he's more likely to return later in the week.
"We can't wait to have those guys back," said Steve Novak, one of the beneficiaries of Lin's infectious play. "We know obviously how good those guys are and how much they can help us. I think it's been great for them to be able to see the way that we've been playing."
But there will be an adjustment period.
According to the New York Daily News, Lin has averaged 19.4 shots over the past five games. Stoudemire averages 15.5 and Anthony is up there with 18.8 shots per game.
"There's an energy that's contagious. I mean, those guys haven't played with Jeremy starting and playing like he has been," said Novak. "Melo was just chomping at the bit last game, he was saying 'I can't wait to be back.' I think that it's, the things he's bringing, it's contagious."
Coach Mike D'Antoni was on the hot seat before "Linsanity" took over the Knicks. His team seemed lost at 8-15. Now MSG is alive -- and so are the Knicks, climbing toward .500 at 13-15.
"I can't wait to get them back,'' D'Antoni said. "We should go up to another level. No doubt about it."
Will "Linsanity" suffer when Carmelo and Amar'e return? Sound off in the comments below...
