Davis starting to get feel for point
Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert react during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. (March 14, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Baron Davis smiled, threw up his hands and stepped back in mock horror as a group of 20 or so reporters moved toward him after Knicks practice Monday.
Davis, a two-time All-Star, has been in the spotlight before. It's just that it has been quite a while since he found himself in the kind of role he is being asked to play for the Knicks. With starting point guard Jeremy Lin out for at least the rest of the regular season, Knicks coach Mike Woodson has put the ball in Davis' hands as the Knicks push toward the postseason.
"I have complete confidence in myself and my game and my teammates," said Davis, who will turn 33 April 13, when asked about his increased role. "And they have confidence in me."
Lin had successful surgery Monday on the chronic small tear in the meniscus in his left knee. The procedure was performed by team orthopedist Dr. Answorth Allen and Lin is expected to be out approximately six weeks.
Woodson confirmed at practice that the team will not add any players. Davis, who missed the first two months of the season with a herniated disc in his back and missed two games in March with a right hamstring injury, will be held under 30 minutes as a starter, Woodson said. He will spell Davis with backups Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas, and rookie Iman Shumpert also might see some time at the point.
With 13 games remaining, the Knicks lead the Bucks by two games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Not only will the team have to get there without Lin, but it likely will be without Amar'e Stoudemire. Stoudemire has a bulging disc in his lower back and could be out three more weeks.
The Knicks are 3-1 in the four games that Davis has started in place of Lin. Davis has averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 turnovers in those games. Carmelo Anthony said he has confidence in Davis' play.
"I know what type of player Baron is," Anthony said. "We all know what he can do, know what he can bring when he is healthy. He's shown that."
Davis rarely has been healthy since joining the Knicks, spending more time in the training room than on the practice floor. Now, thanks to stretching and "a lot of core work," he says he's getting closer and closer to being completely healthy.
"It's just a joy. I feel young. I feel young," Davis said. "It's just a matter of getting over these injuries and getting back to tip-top shape. I feel blessed and happy to be playing, considering that I was laying on the training table for four hours a day when I first got here.
"I'm definitely not happy where my game is. I'm happy where my body is, considering that I started the season not knowing if I would play basketball again. I definitely know that I can get back to my old self and do the things I've been capable of doing. I may have lost some athleticism but I can still pass the ball well and run the team, and that's where my focus is now."
And will be, for at least 13 more games.
