Jeremy Lin was able to enjoy so much success with the Knicks when he was inserted into the starting lineup because of Mike D’Antoni’s system. D’Antoni’s offensive system is notoriously catered toward guards, so one concern for Knicks fans now that Mike Woodson has taken over should be how Lin is going to be utilized. One thing seems certain: he will be used less.
“It will be a different style and a different system,” Lin said according to Newsday. “We still have to figure it out, because we don’t have it all figured out. … I just have to be aggressive. But it’s going to be different ways. Different ways to initiate offense. Different ways to score and create. It’s definitely going to be a change.”
One interesting question for the Knicks since Lin’s emergence has been who will take the last shot in a close game. While Lin knocked down his fair share of clutch shots during the Knicks winning streak in February, it sounds like Woodson does not want the ball in his hands if a similar situation should arise in the future.
“It’s everybody’s ball club,” Woodson said. “I want everybody to feel comfortable. When I put a guy in the game and he’s got a shot, I want him to feel comfortable about making that shot. But I want everyone to know that when it comes to (crunch time) and I have to get a big shot, I’m going to go to (Carmelo Anthony) and (Amar’e Stoudemire) and guys who have done it. Not these guys who are young and are still trying to feel their way out.”
In all likelihood, Woodson is trying to keep the peace and prevent a mutiny. The last thing he wants to do is lose the respect of the veterans on his team right off the bat, or he’ll end up like D’Antoni before the season is over. Will the firing of D’Antoni spell the end for Linsanity? We should know very shortly.
