(Image Source: USA Today)

BY JUSTIN PROCHASKA AND HANK KOEBLER

ANCHOR BLAKE HANSON

Despite only playing regularly for a week, Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin has basketball fans and the media buzzing over his “Lin-sational” play.

“The open floor, spinning, backs it up and puts it in. Sensational play for Jeremy Lin.” (SOURCE: ESPN)

Lin has resurrected a once-disappointing season for the New York Knicks, helping guide them to five straight wins after an 8-15 start to the season. Lin played sparingly for the Golden State Warriors as an undrafted rookie from Harvard last year, and was waived by both the Warriors and Rockets earlier this season before joining the Knicks. Kobe Bryant commented in USA Today about Lin’s emergence.

"Players don't usually come out of nowhere. If you can go back and take a look, his skill level was probably there from the beginning, but no one ever noticed. … It is a great story. It is a testament to perseverance and hard work. It is a good example to kids everywhere."

Lin is not only impressive because of his story, but also because of what he has done for the Knicks on the court. ESPN’s Tim Legler says...

“He’s the first guy all year to put a Knick uniform on at the point guard position and show some leadership and poise at that position.” 

A writer for CBS Sports said Lin has made watching the Knicks fun again.

“Fun is what the Garden has been lacking for so long, the mere scent of it being sucked out of the place this season just when it seemed that the long basketball nightmare was over.”

Not everyone is sold on the “Lin-sanity.” A columnist from Roundball Chat thinks Lin is merely the “flavor of the week.”

“With the re-emergence of New York Knicks F’s Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, Lin might find some success. However, Jeremy Lin simply does not have the level of talent to stare down elite teams. Being defended by a top-level point guard (which Lin has yet to take on) will slow him down.”

The New York Daily News’ Frank Isola says Lin’s biggest threat comes from within - from his own teammate Carmelo Anthony. Isola says Anthony’s ability to adjust to Lin running the offense will determine whether “Lin-sanity” can last after Anthony returns from injury.

“Carmelo Anthony has yet to prove that he can successfully co-exist with Amar’e Stoudemire. Now, Melo has to prove he can co-exist with Jeremy Lin. There is a growing fear that the only one who can stop Lin is Anthony, who prefers to play with the ball in his hands and is most effective in isolation plays.”

Only time will tell if Lin, Anthony, and the Knicks can keep “Linning.”