Knicks claim guard Jeremy Lin off waivers
Harvard's Jeremy Lin drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game. (Jan. 7. 2009) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- In need of backcourt depth, the Knicks claimed point guard Jeremy Lin off waivers Tuesday morning. Lin was waived by Houston on Christmas Day after being waived by Golden State on Dec. 9.
"We've always liked him as a player so we'll see where we go with him," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He's very quick, he defends pretty well, he can really get in the lane and distribute the basketball."
The former Harvard star, who was not drafted after a strong senior season highlighted by a 30-point, nine-rebound game against UConn, averaged 2.6 points and 1.4 assists in 29 games for the Warriors and 18 points in 20 games in the D-League last season.
His contract is not guaranteed, so the Knicks can waive him at any time before Feb. 10 without having to pay the remainder of his contract.
Lin last season became the first American-born player of Chinese descent to play in the NBA. Before Lin the last Asian-American to play in the league was University of Utah guard Wataru Misaka, who played with the Knicks during the 1947-48 season.
The 6-3 Lin is the 42nd Ivy League player to appear in an NBA game.
"He went to Harvard so he might be the smartest guy we have," D'Antoni joked after yesterday morning's practice at the MSG Training Center.
The roster move comes two days after the Knicks were dealt another blow to their backcourt when rookie point guard Iman Shumpert injured his knee in Sunday's season opener against Boston. Shumpert, who is expected to be out for 2-4 weeks, attended practice and wore a bulky brace on his left knee as he gingerly walked around and worked with a trainer.
Recently acquired point guard Baron Davis is out of the lineup for 4-6 weeks with a herniated disc. Veteran Mike Bibby missed Sunday's game with a sore back, but D'Antoni said he is "ready to roll" for Wednesday night's game against Golden State.
Originally from the Bay Area, Lin is expected to join the Knicks at practice Wednesday in Oakland.
"He's just going to commute from there," D'Antoni said. "We saved a little money on the flight."
Westward ho
The Knicks have three road games in four days, starting Wednesday night with Golden State, followed by the Lakers Thursday and the Kings on Saturday. It is the only road trip west of Texas all season for the Knicks.
"It's going to be a crazy start and we're going to approach each game as usual," D'Antoni said. "A successful road trip is win them all and a nonsuccessful is winning none."
Each of the three upcoming road opponents has dynamic guards who could cause problems for the Knicks defensively. Golden State's Monta Ellis is the first challenge Wednesday night, then Kobe Bryant and Tyreke Evans later in the week.
"We can't allow what happened Sunday to happen again" Tyson Chandler said. "For example, a guy like [Rajon] Rondo getting so many layups. One of the things that we wanted to concentrate on [was] getting two defenders back. If we get back and we build a wall we take that away.
"It's our job to build a wall and it's me and Amar'e's job to get back after they build that wall and then protect the paint."
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