Toney Douglas never begrudged Linsanity, though the global frenzy froze him in exile.
The Knicks starting point guard on opening night sat in silence, never made excuses about a bum left shoulder affecting his play, remained a good teammate and let Jeremy Lin bask in the international glow.
There are few Knicks fans who brandish “23’’ jerseys, but Douglas, the longest-tenured Knick, has regained his integral role. Douglas — not Lin — now means more to the Knicks across these final 11 games of the regular season.
As Lin recuperates from knee surgery that ended his regular season and new starting point guard Baron Davis is slowed by hamstring and knee issues, Douglas is big man on campus again. He reasserted himself Thursday night in Orlando with 25 minutes of excellence, pressing the ball with vigor on defense and running the offense expertly to the tune of a 15-point, six-assist, five-rebound night.
And so, another rising-from-the-dead fairly tale is unfolding.
“When Jeremy had his turn with Linsanity, I was there for him,’’ Douglas said. “I was happy for him. He’s my teammate. I would never think of it in a negative way. We were winning games, he was going good and I was proud of him. He had been through a lot coming from the D-League and he took advantage of his opportunity. I texted him the other day to see how his surgery went. He’s still my teammate. I know people say it’s an individual league, but at the end of day, we’re a team and a family.’’
Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson said he will limit Davis to about 25 minutes because of his ailments. That leaves lots of time for Douglas, who comes full circle, a playoff berth riding on his back.
The Knicks’ postseason hopes will be defined with their next three games — a home-and-home against the Bulls tomorrow and Tuesday, and a showdown in Milwaukee Wednesday. The Knicks lead the Bucks for the last playoff spot by one game and still have their eye on the Atlantic Division title, trailing the first-place Celtics by 2 1/2 games.
“I wouldn’t say it was difficult,’’ Douglas said of his exile after the Orlando win. “I take everything in. I feel like me sitting out, it kept me healthier. I was working out everyday as if I was playing, stuck with my routine and stayed ready. I knew at some point the team was going to need me. I got my opportunity back and I’m just taking advantage of it.’’
Knicks general manager Glen Grunwald looked to deal Douglas at the March 15 trade deadline but couldn’t find value, for his stock had plummeted. Douglas has a year left on his pact at $2 million, and is the only Knicks point guard who isn’t a free agent. Lin, Davis — who claims he is not retiring — and Mike Bibby are free agents.
“I’m very excited about Toney’s performance,’’ Tyson Chandler said. “It’s great to see him playing well. Great guy. He’s been the ultimate teammate.’’
The pendulum has swung. Douglas is not undrafted, nor an Ivy Leaguer. He was a first-rounder out the high-profile ACC. Lin is aiming to return for the first round of the playoffs, but his official diagnosis has him targeted for the second. It may be Douglas’ ball again, like it was in the first round last spring after Chauncey Billups took a bad step.
“I love the game of basketball,’’ Douglas said. “Even if I had a 9-to-5 job, I’d be doing the same thing. Working out early in the morning, getting shots up, playing pickup. I love the game. It’s not hard at all. Having it as my job is a blessing.’’