CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Knicks starting point guard Baron Davis was part of one of the great first-round upsets in NBA history when the No. 8 Warriors shocked No. 1 Dallas in 2007. That’s when Davis was in his prime and he had a spectacular series, carrying the Warriors on his back.
The 34-year-old actually feels — other than his bad back — his skill level hasn’t diminished. But he also feels these Knicks have that same belief the Golden State team had when it shocked the basketball world.
“The thing we had with the Warriors going against Dallas is we knew we could win that series,’’ Davis said before sitting out Thursday night’s regular-season finale, a 104-84 win over the Bobcats. “And we won it. The confidence was there. We share the same type of energy here with the Knicks, knowing that nobody is counting us in it to win it but what we believe in ourselves in the ability to stop people down the stretch.’’
The Knicks will enter their first round series in Miami tomorrow as significant underdogs. They haven’t won a playoff game since 2001, a playoff series since 2000.
But there’s a lot of talent on this squad and Davis is one of those players who has waited all season to unleash himself on the postseason. There will be no minutes cap starting Saturday, though he nurses his bad back and hamstring. Miami isn’t stacked at point guard, with Mario Chalmers manning the post.
“We set out with a goal at the beginning of the year and it was to be a championship-caliber team, make the playoffs and play towards a championship,’’ said Davis, who posted his first Knicks double-double Sunday in Atlanta when he went for 13 points with 10 assists. “And through all the bumps and bruises we had all having a new coach, we’re still a very good team. We’re a better team than when we started the season. We have camaraderie that is unbelievable.’’
Davis has played 29 games this season and probably would be the backup if Jeremy Lin had not injured his knee. But he still feels he’s not so far off from the 2007 version and has no plans to retire.
Asked if he still has the 2007 greatness inside him, Davis said, “Absolutely. The difference between then and now is I didn’t have back problem. I still feel I have a lot left. I have a lot left to prove. Knowing where I started the season to where I am now to where I will be in the season to come, I’m very confident in my game and what I know I can do.’’
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U.S. Olympic coach Mike Krzyzewski had an eye on Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler when he attended the Clippers game Wednesday at the Garden. Both are expected to be on Team USA at the London Games. Krzyzewski said Anthony will also be a power forward on his squad — like the role he played when Amar’e Stoudemire was out.
“He’s a warrior,’’ Coach K told MSG Network’s Jill Martin on her “Give Me a Minute’’ segment. “He wants to be in big moments. When he was on our team we played him at the 4 and he’s a battering ram. One of the best international players, he’s done a great job for our Olympic team.’’
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Rookie center Jerome Jordan scored a career high 13 points. … Woodson said he has been told by Jared Jeffries he will be a go for the playoffs. Woodson said Jeffries can give him about 10 to 15 minutes a night. … Landry Fields had X-rays on a bruised foot. The results were negative. Woodson says Dan Gadzuric, signed last week, isn’t in good enough shape to help them unless the club is in deep foul trouble.