Davis showing signs he and Lin can excel

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Jeremy Lin didn't sleep much during the spring of his freshman year at Harvard, and it wasn't from doing his economics homework. The Bay Area product was glued to the TV, watching Baron Davis lead Golden State past Dallas in the 2007 playoffs.

Davis believes he will get back to that level, but it could be a long road. He's played in only four games as a Knick and is just starting to show signs of being the player he was before suffering a herniated disc in his back.

The two-time All-Star had eight assists and no turnovers in Wednesday's win over the Cavaliers. Lin and Davis totaled 21 assists and one miscue. Suddenly the Knicks can see that the point guard spot, a weakness earlier this season, has become a position of strength.

"We were in a spot where all we had is hope," coach Mike D'Antoni said after practice Thursday. "We really had to have Baron get well to have a successful season. Then we found Jeremy, so then we said Baron can take his time a little bit and make sure he's right. To have both of them is an unbelievable luxury. We didn't know if we were going to have anybody. Now we've got two of the better guys in the league."

Lin has been the main reason the Knicks will go for their 11th win in 14 games Sunday. But during an 8-15 start, the Knicks kept pointing to Davis as their savior.

Although Davis tried to temper expectations, he liked them even though he knew he wasn't ready to carry a team. "I don't mind the pressure," he said. "I actually kind of liked the pressure. I thrive better under pressure. I knew I wasn't going to be able to play 30, 40 minutes. I had to be patient with myself and not believe what everybody else was saying as far as wait until Baron comes back."

Now that he is, he wants the Davis-Lin combination to be the best. "What he wants to start talking about is combining our stats after every game and having a point guard goal," Lin said. "Us together need to get this many assists and this many turnovers. So we're working on how we can bring both of our games in at different times and to help the team."

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Davis' legs, explosiveness, timing and shot aren't all the way back, but he hasn't lost his vision. He has 18 assists in 52 minutes. Davis said Wednesday's game was big. "It gives me joy to know that I am building," he said. "It's one of those games where the monkey's off my back as far as I am in the game and I am a part of the team and I know I can do certain things to help this team win."

Davis played 14:38 Wednesday. He said later in the season he will be able to go 20 or more. Lin welcomes having a lighter load. "Baron's had a tough road to recovery and we're all glad he's here," Lin said. "He'll bring excitement, energy, flair and rest for me."

It could make up for some sleep Davis cost Lin in college.