NBA

Brewer practices with Knicks for first time

IN ‘D’ MOOD: Ronnie Brewer, who defended against LeBron James as a Bull two seasons ago, and wore a Knicks uniform during Media Day (inset), is expected to practice today and may make his preseason debut with the Knicks on Friday against the Raptors in Montreal. (AP(2))

Now for some good news on the Knicks’ bleak injury front:

Ronnie Brewer, their projected starting shooting guard, practiced today for the first time as a Knick and could make his club debut on their upcoming Montreal-Albany-Syracuse preseason road trip.

On Media Day, Carmelo Anthony said the 27-year-old Brewer’s August signing was “the most underrated’’ acquisition of their offseason. The former Bulls shooting guard, who had knee surgery to repair his meniscus cartilage in early September, is known for his ability to play defense — which is very intriguing to Knicks coach Mike Woodson.

Brewer, selected 14th out of Arkansas in the 2006 draft by Utah, can also bang in a perimeter shot. The thrifty Bulls let the heady six-year veteran walk this summer after he grew as a player under defensive genius Tom Thibodeau.

Woodson wouldn’t completely rule Brewer out for Friday’s game in Montreal, where the Knicks face the Raptors in their third preseason game. The next two contests — Saturday in Albany against the Celtics and Monday in Syracuse against the Sixers — are definitely in play.

“If that could happen, it’s a major plus,’’ said Woodson, who views Brewer as their starter at least until Iman Shumpert returns in December or January.

With Amar’e Stoudemire to make his preseason debut in Montreal, it’s possible the Knicks’ projected starting five will be intact in Canada.

Asked if he preferred Brewer’s offense or defense, Woodson said, “I like them both. I think he can defend. That’s one of the reasons we brought him here. He knows how to play. He’s just a basketball player.’’

Woodson has scrambled to find a starting shooting guard in the wake of injuries. He refuses to start J.R. Smith under any circumstances — which has deeply disappointed the mercurial guard. In the first two preseason games, Woodson has started Mychel Thompson, who may not make the team, and James White, the free agent signee who recently played in Italy. Ultimately, it is Brewer’s starting job.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Knicks’ injury report regarding their backup big men is not encouraging. Marcus Camby’s seven-to-10-day timetable has expired and he didn’t practice yesterday, nor is he a sure thing for next week, because of his left calf strain.

Camby, the Knicks’ backup center, is in his second stint at age 38. His first stint also was marked by injuries.

“I can’t say he’s getting close,’’ Woodson said. “He’s feeling better, put it that way. I’ll talk to [trainer] Roger [Hinds] and the training staff and see if there’s a chance of him coming back next week. I don’t know yet.”’’

Camby lasted just three days of camp before going down.

“I’m not concerned,’’ Woodson said. “He’s got an injury and we’re treating it. Eventually he’ll be back on the floor.’’

The news also wasn’t good for backup power forward Rasheed Wallace, who has yet to scrimmage through the first two weeks of training camp as he remains on the sidelines, working on his conditioning.

As each day passes, there’s more mystery about whether Woodson will keep Wallace on the final 15-man roster.

“He’s got to get ready for practice first, then we’ll talk about scrimmaging,’’ Woodson said.

Wallace has been working with strength coach Dave Hancock and assistant LaSalle Thompson in physical low-post drills, sprinkled with running laps after each shot. Wallace has also been seen boxing and jumping rope.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who coached Wallace two years ago in Boston, said over the weekend he felt Wallace was right to retire two years ago unless he had made a larger commitment to getting in shape.