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Jeremy Lin already saved the Knicks’ season, Mike D’Antoni’s reputation as an offensive guru and probably the coach’s job.
Now as the NBA’s most scrutinized franchise embarks on the season’s second half tomorrow against Cleveland, Lin will need more help and fewer minutes. And that means more time for backup Baron Davis.
He is no longer the savior, but Davis can play a significant role in the Knicks’ chances of dethroning Miami as Eastern Conference champion as he plays the most important position in D’Antoni’s offense.
Lin’s spectacular play at point guard probably can’t continue if he has to log 37 minutes a night, as he has done during their surreal 12-game stretch that has made Linsanity a household expression.
Even Carmelo Anthony, after Sunday night’s All-Star Game, said he believes he can make it to the event in 2013 if he continues this pace.
“I’m pretty sure if he continues doing what he’s doing, [he’ll be there,]” Anthony said. “That’s a guarantee. He will be there.”
In Miami Thursday, Lin’s body already looked worn down from the increased physicality and massive attention teams now pay him. Miami’s ferocious pick-and-roll defense treated Lin like he was the second-coming of Magic Johnson. Despite Lin’s 1-of-11, nine-point, eight-turnover night, he still is averaging 22.6 points, 8.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds during the 9-3 surge.
Davis, meanwhile, played his third game and shot 0 for 7, his stroke rustier than a ’65 Chevy. Davis is 1 of 12 for the season and committed five turnovers vs. Atlanta last week. But in Miami, he seemed to have a better control of the offense, showed quickness but couldn’t shoot a lick. During the All-Star break, Davis, who is averaging 12.1 minutes, remained in New York to do back-strengthening exercises.
If Davis can eventually give the Knicks 15-to-20 solid minutes a night in April and lessen Lin’s workload, South Florida should be as afraid of the Knicks as watching LeBron James with the ball in his hands in the final seconds.
Davis, who spurned Miami after he cleared amnesty waivers, said after the Heat loss that it could take him 15 games to reach his peak. But he fully expects to form a solid tandem with Lin.
“All this is new, and after we spend more time together, we’ll never have a game where we’ll both have bad games,’’ Davis said. “When we establish who we are, we’ll have two point guards leading this team.”
Davis will face his former club, the Cavaliers, tomorrow. With point guard Kyrie Irving selected as the No. 1 pick, the Cavs were eager to release Davis in December as an amnesty casualty to get him off their salary cap. Cleveland still owes Davis $21M.
Davis signed for the $1.5M veteran’s minimum — a sacrifice he made so the Knicks could keep their $2.5M room exception that went to shooting guard J.R. Smith, who further deepens the bench.
In three games, Davis has played 37 minutes and is 1 of 12 from the field. “You can’t make a judgment on him now,” D’Antoni said after Thursday night’s loss to the Heat. “Make it a month from now.”
The Knicks (17-18), who in addition to minimizing Lin’s minutes also are trying to minimize his distractions, used Amar’e Stoudemire’s security man during All-Star Weekend to protect him from the international media frenzy. Lin is not allowed to talk before games during the 45-minute availability, which he prefers so he can concentrate on basketball.
But Lin is not complaining about the global attention. He said he received helpful instruction from his buddy Yao Ming last week.
“I was talking to him about all the media there and he gave me some good advice,’’ Lin said. “He said get used to it. You can’t run from it. I told him I’m not 7-6. It’s a little easier for me than it was for him.’’
Lin is trying to “stay focused’’ while still embracing the attention.
“I think obviously playing in New York, it’s a big stage with a big fan base, and so there’s a lot of media,’’ Lin said.
“One thing I really do want to do is embrace that platform and to be able to use it in the right way, and use it positively and make sure that my message and the way that I live is in a way appropriate of a role model.’’
marc.berman@nypost.com