Veteran Mike Bibby started last night against the Nets and it’s not inconceivable for interim coach Mike Woodson’s favorite son to be the starting point guard in the first round of the playoffs if Baron Davis breaks down.
Bibby made a good case with his strong performance last night.
Davis, suffering from numerous ailments, was sidelined yesterday by a stomach virus that plagued him in Tuesday night’s win over Boston. Davis, who also is battling hamstring, knee, neck and back woes, did not make the trip to Newark last night.
Bibby, amidst a roller-coaster season in and out of the rotation, is the ace in the hole for the playoffs for Woodson, who had him in Atlanta for three seasons. Last night, he had eight points and eight assists with just one turnover in 36 minutes in the Knicks’ 104-95 win over the Nets.
“You need a stable guy out there who can direct traffic,” Woodson said. “He played a lot of minutes, but I thought he was solid all the way through in running our offense.”
With Davis ailing against Boston, Bibby excelled, posting 26 minutes, three points, six assists and five rebounds.
Jeremy Lin hasn’t started running since undergoing knee surgery and is not expected to beat his six-week timetable, keeping him out until the second round of the playoffs if the Knicks get there.
“I’m familiar with Mike, comfortable with him,’’ said Woodson, who is down on Toney Douglas. “I know he’s capable of running a team. He probably doesn’t run it as quickly as we want a point guard to run it but he’s efficient.’’
* Woodson on Amar’e Stoudemire, who will scrimmage today before getting the green light for tomorrow’s return in Cleveland: “I’m hoping Friday is the day he returns.’’
* J.R. Smith, a native of Freehold, N.J., says the Nets never caught on in his home state. “It’s a tough place to sell with basketball,’’ he said. “So many people are huge on football, it’s ridiculous. Coming to Brooklyn, it will boost the rivalry.’’
* Woodson played on the Nets during their inaugural season at the Meadowlands in 1981-82 before being traded by Larry Brown to Kansas City. Woodson said he recalls a lot of near-sellouts.
“I remember that year, they filled it that year,’’ Woodson said. “It was a short time but a good time.’’