A change during the Knicks scrimmage raised a few eyebrows. Â Coach Mike D’Antoni had point guards Jeremy Lin and Baron Davis sharing the backcourt together with the first unit. Â The scrimmage either suppressed or enhanced rumors that Lin could be replaced by Davis as the starting point guard in April. Â Read more after the jump.
If Davis, who has played just four games after sitting out nearly two months because of a herniated disk, progresses to a very high level, the two-time All-Star could squeeze into the starting lineup at the expense of shooting guard Landry Fields with Lin playing off the ball.
For now, D’Antoni said he could pair Lin and Davis for set minutes or even close a game that way.
“You have more playmaking — we’ll see if that’s good or not,’’ D’Antoni said. “They can play together because Baron can guard bigger guards. But somebody’s not playing. You have to be really good together.’’
“It would be fun, I’d love to play minutes out there with Jeremy,’’ said Davis, who had eight assists in 15 minutes in Wednesday’s 120-103 over the Cavaliers, a signal he is ready to rise to prior form. “We’re both comfortable with each other on the floor. He’s a great player who makes plays, and I make plays. So It makes it easier for both of us as two playmakers. You put [Carmelo Anthony] in the situation and Landry and you got four guys who can make plays off the dribble and out of the pick-and-roll.’’
As for playing alongside Davis, Lin said it was a refreshing change.
“Playing off the ball a little bit, sort of what I played in college,’’ the Harvard graduate said. “I’m comfortable doing it and don’t have all the ballhandling responsibilities.
“Watching [Baron] play, he doesn’t have the same burst he used to have but he’s still effective,’’ Lin added. “The pace and poise he plays with is something that’s good for me. Because sometimes I just like to go.’’
NY Post
