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"FacebookPinterestGetty Images\n\nWe really can't write about the Knicks every day, even if most of the nation's computers are in New York City. So let's start with a little credit to the New Jersey Nets. It was against them, all of 17 days ago, that Jeremy Lin went for 25 point and 7 assists against the Nets; one game later, we had enough of sample size to start with the Linsanity. Last night, the Nets encountered Lin for the first time since introducing him to the world, and exacted some measure of payback.\n\nDeron Williams, an All-Star point guard who might have been a Knick, if that front office had thought to inquire as to his availability, went bazooka on Lin's Kidz, to the tune of 38 points. For emphasis, 24 of those came on three-pointers. He's better than Lin, and the Knicks probably would be better off with him instead of Carmelo. Kris Humphries had 14 points and 14 boards, and managed to get Tyson Chandler thrown out of the game. Rookie MarShon Brooks put up 18 points. Get prepared for that cross-borough rivalry, provided Williams resigns and the Nets can lure Dwight Howard to Brooklyn. Right?\n\nThe Knicks lost, an especially significant loss because it was the first game for Anthony since Jeremy Lin made this team relevant again\u2014which is exactly what Melo was supposed to do last spring, after Amar'e failed to do it on his own the previous fall. For good measure, Baron Davis was active for the first time this season, giving the Knicks a not-too-shabby roster that, if healthy, could potentially make some noise in the playoffs. Based on last night, there's going to be an adjustment period, as Lin becomes just one of several big names on the team, and he's called on to think of himself as even more of a distributor. Anthony doesn't look quite right yet, but doesn't mean we should rush to judgment based on one measly night.\n\nFor all the expected pitfalls\u2014one of those being a league that has had some time to scout Lin, and opposing guards not looking to get Kobe-d by the Knicks guard\u2014the Knicks had plenty of bright spots. The chemistry between Lin and Chandler remains intact, and Lin and Amar'e are getting on the same page. It's worth noting that Chandler's pick-and-roll game with Lin has him flashing athleticism we haven't seen from him in years; stack the option of Amar'e on top of that, and you've got a fun house mirror effect that no team wants to contend with. The shooters didn't make their shots, but they got the right looks. And although Lin didn't have the best night from the floor, he looked very much in control of a team that now demands a very different kind of leadership out of him. It's not the Jeremy Lin Show anymore, though at the same time, getting big names to trust his decision-making brings with it a whole new set of challenges.\n\nAnd so once again, it comes back to Anthony. D'Antoni's system has room for Chandler and Amar'e to get theirs, even a hellion like J.R. Smith. Carmelo Anthony has never really fit smoothly into it, and at this point, it may be a question of whether Lin can help Anthony work better in this offense\u2014not whether the two stars can co-exist. Lin owes a good deal of his success to D'Antoni, and D'Antoni is keeping his job because of Lin. Anthony has been brought down by this offense, and because of that, called into question D'Antoni's standing. For Jeremy Lin to really step up and establish himself, we don't need some simplistic proof that he and Melo can both get their shots. That really solves absolutely nothing. If he can figure out how to break the deadlock between D'Antoni and Anthony, not only will he have fid the Knicks\u2014there will be no doubt then that Jeremy Lin is his own man."^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.gq.com/story/the-knicks-after-linsanity>