NBA

Udrih to start against former team

SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs made a play for point guard Beno Udrih this summer before he signed with the Knicks for the veteran’s minimum in August, The Post reported in September.

Udrih, who won two titles in San Antonio after being drafted by the Spurs, told The Post in September that sticking with the Spurs would have been old hat, and he wanted something different in the big city.

“I’ve been there,‘’ Udrih said of nixing the Spurs. “I know their mentality. Tony Parker’s their guard. Been there, done that. I’ve always wanted to play for the Knicks. It’s something special.’’

It’s been a little less than special for Udrih in his first season as a Knick. He enters the AT&T Center Thursday night as the Knicks’ starting point guard, but only by default. The Knicks’ top two point guards are injured. Raymond Felton (groin) and Pablo Prigioni (toe) have been ruled out for the Texas Triangle trip.

Udrih’s has struggled defensively, though he posted a double-double (15 points, 10 assists) vs. Toronto on Friday. Udrih recently expressed frustration with criticism but was unclear if he was referring to the coach or media and fans.

Udrih has had many battles with Parker in practice, and he and rookie backup Tour’e Murry will be under the gun Thursday.

The Spurs dominated the Knicks in the first meeting Nov. 10, with Parker shredding the Knicks early in the 120-89 romp. Parker, embroiled in controversy because of a 3-year-old photo in which he allegedly does a Nazi salute in reverse, had 17 points and eight assists in 25 minutes.


Jeremy Tyler, the 6-foot-10 big man signed Tuesday, could become the 82nd player who has logged minutes for the Knicks since the 2008-09 season. Coach Mike Woodson won’t shove him in right away, saying there’s protocol with the rotation as backups Amar’e Stoudemire and Kenyon Martin are healthy.

“He’s got to work his way through the rotation,’’ Woodson said. “We still have Kenyon and Amar’e. If I see room to fit him in, I will do that.’’