CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Baron Watch took all sorts of twists and turns yesterday.
Whenever Baron Davis makes his Knicks debut — be it tonight in Cleveland or, more likely, Saturday in Houston — his former coach Paul Silas said he believes they will get the floor leader they have lacked this season.
Yesterday morning, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni would not rule out the injured point guard making his debut tonight against the Cavaliers, who cut Davis this offseason via the NBA’s amnesty provision.
But after Davis performed poorly in a 3-on-3 scrimmage in the afternoon, the point guard admitted he felt it was unlikely.
“I’m taking it one day at a time, see what happens when I go out and work out and get shots up and see how I feel [this] morning,’’ Davis said last night. “I would love to play, but I don’t think it’s possibly going to happen.’’
Last night, the Knicks defeated the Bobcats, led by Silas, who coached Davis during his first four seasons in the NBA with the Hornets in Charlotte/New Orleans.
“If he can come back, he’s going to have a positive effect on the team,’’ Silas said before Knicks’ 111-78 victory. “He’s been around a long time and knows how to lead. That’s the most important thing in this league — having a point guard who knows how to lead.’’
Davis recovered well from his first practice Monday, raising hopes of him appearing tonight. But his 3-on-3 scrimmage after yesterday’s morning shootaround at Charlotte’s Time Warner Arena wasn’t a thing of beauty.
“We lost [the scrimmage], and I wasn’t able to do what I needed to do,’’ Davis said. “It’s a process — with good days and bad days. As long as you can walk away pain-free, I’m not discouraged because I haven’t played a basketball game since April. It’s the competitor in me wants everything to happen now.” I have a lot of kinks to work out.’’
In the morning, D’Antoni held out some hope.
“It could be [tonight], that doesn’t mean it is,’’ D’Antoni said. “I said that so I don’t lie to you. I have no idea. I wouldn’t rule anything out.’’
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Rookie forward Josh Harrellson had successful wrist surgery yesterday and is scheduled to return within six weeks. … Former UConn star Kemba Walker of the Bronx started at point guard for the Bobcats, scoring 22 points with two assists.