Jeremy Lin: Knicks vs. Lakers 2/10/12
No list about this NBA season would complete without Jeremy Lin. After this game, many people decided to take Lin seriously. He scored 38 points on 13-23 shooting in his first nationally televised game. He also had 7 assists and outplayed Kobe Bryant in the 92-85 victory. Reuters

Jeremy Lin was one of the greatest stories in the NBA last season when he came out of nowhere to storm the city of New York and help the Knicks get to the playoffs.

Lin had season-ending knee surgery and now is a restricted free agent for the Knicks. The New York brass has so far said that they intend to bring Lin, as well as Landry Fields, back next season.

But that was all before Steve Nash expressed interest in joining the Knicks for next season.

The Knicks are a great franchise and I live in New York City (each summer), so I'd definitely consider them if they were interested, Nash said at a promotional event in the city last week.

I want to wait and see what's actually on the table, he said. I'm open and excited. I'm looking at every possibility right now. It sounds like there are a number of teams that are interested.

The Knicks have been interested in Nash for years and have often been mentioned in trade rumors involving him. Nash is also a pretty major upgrade over Lin at the point as well.

Take nothing away from the electric few months Lin had, but Nash is a two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star. Even last year, on a fairly abysmal Suns, team he averaged 12.5 points and 10.7 assists per game.

If Nash does make a New York move, the Knicks will need all the money they can get to fill in other positions and Lin will likely be a casualty of the cap realities, making him a true free agent.

If so, the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the first teams to take a shot at the 23-year-old Harvard graduate.

Kobe Bryant got a first-hand look at the Linsanity in its early stages. Lin dropped 38 points on the Lakers as the Knicks downed the Lakers 92-85 in Lin's fourth start.

A great story, Bryant said. It's a testament to perseverance and hard work. A good example for kids everywhere.

Not the highest praise Bryant has ever given, but he respects hard work, and with Ramon Sessions opting out of his contract, he might need a point guard.

Even if Sessions does come back, Lin might still be a fit for the Lakers. He has California roots and the type of game to blend nicely with Sessions and Bryant in a three-guard rotation.

California New York Storm Los Angeles