Baron Davis knows he'll need more time

MIAMI -- Jeremy Lin wasn't the only Knicks point guard to have a rough time Thursday night. Baron Davis missed all seven shots he took, including four three-pointers, and was scoreless in a 102-88 loss to the Heat.

But it was only the third game he has played since last April and his first back-to-back. "I don't want to get into the trap of being measured with every game," said Davis, who had been out with a herniated disc in his back. "This is still really practice time for me. I haven't played in nine, 10 months. Maybe it will take 10 games or 15 games. My goal is to be peaking by April."

In a conference call this week, Magic Johnson spoke highly of Lin even though he never was asked specifically about him. Johnson, asked about the point guard position in general, twice referenced Lin with some pretty heady company.

"I don't think you see as many bounce passes, and you don't see as much guys really understanding the angles," he said. "That's why we love Jason Kidd and we love Steve Nash, and now Jeremy Lin. He understands the angles."

During a call promoting next month's BNP Paribas Showdown at the Garden, even Roger Federer said he'd like to meet Lin. "I think it's quite an incredible story, actually," Federer said. "I hope he can come to the exhibition. I think it would be great. I think this is why we all follow sports because of great stories like this, that all of a sudden someone breaks through that you didn't know or didn't expect . . . I hope to meet him when I come to New York soon."

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