Linsanity Is Dead; Long Live Linsanity

Howard Beck mourns the end of a mini-era:

The Knicks have lost 8 of their last 11 games, leaving them in a dogfight for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. And Lin is no longer the dominant force who carried them in February. His production over the last nine games -- 14.4 points and 7.3 assists -- was solid, but he shot 37.7 percent and averaged 4.2 turnovers over that stretch. 

In his first game under Woodson on Wednesday, Lin had 6 points, 6 assists and 6 turnovers. That he struggled so badly in a 121-79 victory seemed like a bad sign. Woodson, according to his former associate, will not tolerate many six-turnover games from his point guard. 

This is where D'Antoni was so critical to Lin's success. D'Antoni not only provided the platform, but he also gave Lin the freedom to explore, to create and to make mistakes, to make the aggressive pass and to take the open shot, without fear of reprisal.

I don't know. Sitting a player down because you can't defend and you turn the ball over a lot doesn't really strike me as "reprisal."