Knicks Are Lin-Sane

Last night the Knicks might have made a move (or lack of move) that they will regret in the coming years.  They chose to not match the Rockets offer sheet for Jeremy Lin.  Lin was offered a 3 year, $25 million deal by the Rockets.  At first the organization said they would match the offer.  Lin reconstructed a deal with the Rockets that would pay him $5 million in the first two seasons and nearly $15 million in the third season of the contract.  This hurt the Knicks because in the third year it would cost them in luxury taxes and bring the total contract to about $43 million in 2014-15.

The breakout guard brought magic to Madison Square Garden and an energy that the Knicks have been missing for over a decade.  Lin was days away from being cut from the team because they did not have room for him.  Everything would change on Saturday night on February 4th against the Nets.  Lin would be inserted in the lineup and score a career high 25 points.  It would be a start to a 7 game win streak that turned the Knicks season around.  Lin would be the talk of the NBA for weeks to come.  "Linsanity" would take over New York as jerseys sold more than any other player, endorsement deals were coming in, and he could finally move off of his brother's couch.  The Knicks were 8-15 before Lin came on the scene out of nowhere. Nobody could have predicted the former Harvard guard to break out and turn the Knicks season around.  Lin was dropped by the Warriors and Rockets where he did not get much playing time.

The Knicks made a sign and trade with the Blazers to acquire Raymond Felton, which essentially marked the end of the brief, remarkable Jeremy Lin era in New York.  The Knicks chose to go with the combination of Raymond Felton and 39 year old Jason Kidd to lead them at the point guard position.  It seems as if James Dolan let his emotions get the best of him.  Dolan was frustrated with Lin for working out the new contract with the Rockets that made it tough for the Knicks to match. Dolan also did not like the fact that Lin did not play at 85% in the playoffs following knee surgery.

Dolan and the Knicks front office let their personal emotions have an effect on business.  The Knicks will now be led by Felton, who averaged around 11 points and 6 assists a game last season, and an older Jason Kidd who just was arrested for a DWI.  The Knicks decided to go with the two older, more experienced point guards as they try to improve on their 36-30 season and first round exit in the playoffs last season.  The Knicks get nothing in return for losing Lin and cannot use the money they could have used on Lin elsewhere.  Jeremy Lin will be missed by many Knicks fans, who embraced the young guard when he broke on the scene in February.  Over 10,000 fans signed a petition for him to stay, but to no avail.  Lin will be successful in Houston where he will not have the spotlight on him every second.  Lin  said he wanted to stay with the Knicks, but it did not work out.  The Knicks will miss the young and rising guard and the organization will realize the mistake they made by letting him go.