What the off-season has shown about Jeremy Lin and the Knicks - New York News | NYC Breaking News

The NBA off-season has been like a musical on Broadway.

There have been many twists and turns that can make a Formula One race look like child's play.

This isn't about Dwight Howard, the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Nash, or LeBron James' receding hairline.

The epicenter of the offseason has been the story of Jeremy Lin and the New York Knicks.

It was like a fairytale.

The Knicks were the damsel in distress and Jeremy Lin was Prince Charming, the knight in shining armor, coming to the rescue. He rescued the Knicks and they lived happily ever after.

For 35 games.

After 35 games, just like Lin's torn cartilage, the Knicks became torn with Lin.

To re-sign Lin, or to not re-sign Lin?

That was the question, and according to many reports, it was evident the answer was yes that Lin would suit up for the Knicks and be the starting point guard.

That is until rockets landed on the planet of Linsanity.

The Houston Rockets "poisoned" the Knicks by offering Lin a contract that would put the Knicks in a financial bind, and again ask, to re-sign, or not re-sign?

However, recall that Lin made the decision to sign the offer sheet. He could have easily said no and await an offer from the Knicks. But he signed the offer sheet, an offer that includes a three-year contract worth $25 million over the three years, with $14.8 million in the final season, designed to luxury tax the Knicks.

Money talks, people. It was a smart business move.

So in our tale, has the hero betrayed us? Debatable.

In a counterattack, Knicks acquired Raymond Felton via a sign and trade that leads to speculation the Knicks have moved on.

The Knicks have until 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, to make a decision on whether to match Lin's offer or let him go.

Eerie enough that the Lin's number with the Knicks is 17. It could indicate July 18 strikes midnight on this fairytale and Lin rides on a pumpkin to Houston.

So what does this say about the Knicks? Are they to blame?

Well, the Knicks would rather be out with the new and in with the old because alongside the 39-year-old Jason Kidd, the Knicks have three former players returning to the Garden in Raymond Felton, Kurt Thomas, and Marcus Camby.

It also says they are not willing to take the risk of paying Lin a lot of money when he has not really earned a contract of that caliber.

You cannot blame the Knicks for Lin signing an offer sheet because they were ready to match any offer. You can blame them for not being very proactive in courting Lin though and letting the free agency gods control the fate of Lin.

However, the Knicks had a good reason to remain skeptical: 35 games can show potential, but it cannot guarantee longevity. Even though the Knicks are in win-now mode, they can't afford to spend that much money on a 23-year-old player who is great, but needs more time to develop.

What does this say about Jeremy Lin?

This off-season has shown that Lin is no different than any other NBA player. The dollar runs the show, and the almighty dollar has spoken to Jeremy Lin, courting and successfully tempting him to walk away from the bright lights of New York, the city that gave him the opportunity he craved, for money.

It's all about the money.

While this is a great business move on his part, Lin may have just put himself in a predicament.

If the Knicks do match the contract offer from the Rockets, which is unlikely, then Lin is on a team that can go far, hopefully past the first round of the playoffs this time. The Knicks are capable of being a No. 6 or 5 seed.

The Rockets do not even possess the talent to be as formidable as the Knicks and may very well be fighting for a playoff spot late in the season.

Also, who is going to pay attention to Houston as opposed to the Knicks? If you want exposure and your name in the headlines, New York is the place for you and Lin knows this after everything that took place last season, which boggles my mind to comprehend why he leaves all of this for Houston.

He very well may have lost everything that he gained.

Lin will be able to run around the court like a kid in a candy store as he loves to do, but he won't be on a championship team, which frankly goes against the grain with what has occurred this off-season.

Dwight Howard wants to go to Brooklyn to contend for a title. Steve Nash commits a sin and aligns himself with Kobe Bryant to contend for a title. Ray Allen goes from beloved to hated after signing with the Miami Heat alongside Rashard Lewis to contend for a title.

This off-season hasn't been about money, it has been about the chance for a championship. Lin did not take this into consideration, which can lead to his ultimate demise.

Will the Knicks match?

After what has transpired and the contract of that magnitude, my guess is no, but hey, the Knicks front office likes to keep people guessing. They might make a decision at 11:58 p.m.

But in an off season where championships mean more than money, Lin has reminded us all that money holds more power than anything. Lin cannot expect the Knicks to match, he is guilty by association because he signed away the poison pill contract that will be the kryptonite to Linsanity. If he expects the Knicks to do so, he has bought into his own hype, which is very immature of a player we all admired for his humble and mature attitude.

You can point fingers at Dolan and you can point fingers at Lin, it is your choice, but before you point fingers at anybody, both are equally to blame for the abrupt conclusion of Linsanity in New York.

The clock keeps ticking and with each passing second, it feels as though Lin should be putting up a "For Sale" sign on his home in New York and phone a real estate agent in Houston.