Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is probably not going to join the fun on the Madison Square Garden court tonight, according to an NBA source.
Anthony needs more time to recover from a groin injury and is doubtful to make his return to Linsanity until Sunday against the Mavericks.
But if you believe in kismet, then wrap your mind around these numbers when this does happen: Amar’e Stoudemire wears “1,’’ Anthony wears “7’’.
Put 1 and 7 together and you get No. 17 — Jeremy Lin’s jersey number. Sounds like a winning combination.
Lin likely won’t get a chance to play off Anthony tonight against the Hornets (6-23) when the Knicks (15-15) carry their seven-game Linning streak into MSG and attempt to restore a winning record. But when it does, Knicks fans should not worry and be happy.
The Linderella story probably couldn’t have happened if Anthony played these past several games. Lin would have been too deferential to take over the team. But now that Lin has taken control by showing Steve Nash-like qualities in mastering coach Mike D’Antoni’s speedball offense, Anthony has no choice but do it the D’Antoni way. Lin is averaging 24.4 points and 9.1 assists during the last seven games.
Anthony has missed the last six of them with a strained groin. Anthony, shooting 39.9 percent, was blamed for the Knicks early-season woes as he took too many contested shots and hindered ball movement.
Anthony also was forced into a point-guard role occasionally because of their lack of playmakers before Lin got a chance. That allowed teams to overload on Anthony. Lin’s ability to run the pick and roll and penetrate should create Anthony space to flourish and nobody is more clutch in the final minute than him.
If there’s a notion Anthony is jealous of Lin’s sudden international fame, it was wiped away when the two were laughing on the bench in the fourth quarter of the Kings blowout Wednesday. Lin also suggested yesterday that Anthony put it in D’Antoni’s ear that Lin needs to play more.
“I’ve been hearing reports ‘Can Jeremy coexist with ‘Melo?’ and this and that, and I’m just confused because he’s the one who vouched for me in the first place,” Lin said on WFAN’s “Boomer and Carton Show” yesterday. “You know we want to play together, and we want to work together. … Some people are calling Melo selfish, that he doesn’t buy into the team, and that’s just tough for anyone to hear, especially when we don’t think it’s true.”
Tyson Chandler, the Knicks’ defacto leader, has said for days not to worry.
“I think it’s completely nonsense,’’ Chandler said. “At the beginning of the season, players were doing too much. It was obvious out there. Now that we have a natural point guard, it makes life easier for other guys.’’
Lin said following the Sacramento win he sees only good things happening.
“He’s a lethal scorer,’’ Lin said. “He can come off pick and rolls too. That gives me a break. And I can come off and find him. … We should be more dangerous offensively.”
Lin showed he is ready to scale down his shots, taking six against Sacramento and the team prospered from his 13 assists.
“My field goal attempts have been really high,’’ Lin said Wednesday. “I don’t think that’s necessarily good. I think it’s more my job to distribute and get people in rhythm, especially when Melo comes back. Melo will score, my shots will go down and my assists will go up.’’
Stoudemire said, “It’ll just take time for him to get back out there and kind of quiet the critics. We have no worries about Carmelo. He’s a phenomenal player, and he’s going to fit right in with us.’’
Lin said he has stayed grounded and hopes egos don’t get in the way — a legitimate worry if Lin gets all the attention and credit for the turnaround.
“I’m not really concerned with that,’’ Lin said. “I want to be the same person before and after. Playing in New York is a big stage. That’s obviously a temptation and danger. But our team, we need to make sure we’re sticking together and putting our egos aside and really buy into coach D’Antoni’s system and we’ll win games.’’
Lin still can’t get enough of the puns. New Yorkers can now buy a three-“Lintini’’ lunch.
“It’s been unbelievable how everyone has just turned ‘Lin’ into something,” Lin said yesterday. “And how much fun our team is having, now that we’re winning, off the court, and I’m not talking about nightlife. I’m talking about hanging out on the road, traveling together, loving being around each other, smiles top to bottom, everyone just having fun.”