Baron Davis said he believes he can eventually make the Knicks an “unstoppable’’ offensive team.
Practicing for the first time with the Knicks yesterday after rehabbing herniated disks, Davis was by all accounts rusty during an hourlong 5-on-5 scrimmage. But the former All-Star point guard was bold in assessing what his impact will eventually mean to Mike D’Antoni’s slumping offense.
“Once we hit our stride offensively and once our offense catches up with our defense, we’ll be unstoppable,’’ Davis said. “I’m confident this season we’ll turn it around and we’ll hit our stride.’’
Davis is being viewed as the team’s savior and the playmaker to make Carmelo Anthony a more unselfish player and revive the slumping Amar’e Stoudemire. The offense has been anemic during the Knicks’ six-game losing streak, which has dropped their record to 6-10.
They start a four-game road trip in Charlotte tonight, and D’Antoni hasn’t decided when Davis will debut. The earliest would seem to be Friday in Miami, but it is more likely to be Saturday in Houston if his rust has evaporated.
“I couldn’t play dead in a movie if I was asked to,’’ Davis cracked. “There’s still conditioning I have to improve on. The best conditioning you get is out playing basketball. Now that I can practice, it’s a matter of time.
“When they tell me I’m looking good and Coach feels like I’m looking alright and I won’t go out and hurt the team, we’ll be able to make that judgment,’’ Davis added.
Anxious to get Davis into the lineup, D’Antoni said he is willing to play the 32-year-old on a limited basis at first just to get his feet wet. D’Antoni’s alternatives at point guard aren’t exactly working.
“He was rusty, which we expected,’’ D’Antoni said. “It’s good he’s back on the floor. It wasn’t so good the whole execution. It will take him a while to get his mojo back. He’s got to get used to his teammates, stamina, timing.’’
D’Antoni said he would start Davis in his debut but play him for short stretches. There is a good chance rookie Iman Shumpert would move to shooting guard with Landry Fields becoming the sixth man.
“I’d ease him in,’’ D’Antoni said. “I can see him for stretches of three, four minutes. The best workout he can get is in a game. It’s hard to simulate what it’s really like.’’
Months ago, Davis thought he would have to retire because of his herniated disks, so just being cleared for practice thrilled him. Davis will participate in 3-on-3 scrimmages at today’s morning shootaround in Charlotte.
“I made a lot of mistakes, was very rusty,’’ Davis said. “I didn’t play good, but a lot of instinctual things were there. It felt good to be out there with my teammates, to have a smile on my face, out there talking and bringing some spirit and joy. It’s been a long time coming.’’
The Knicks also have to get used to Davis’ quick passes. Stoudemire, inept without a true playmaker, was overjoyed at Davis’ return and sat after practice chatting with Davis.
“His creativity alone is something special,’’ Stoudemire said. “The way he handles the ball and passes and sees the game like a veteran point guard. He’s a great floor general. His head is always up on a swivel looking for seeing who’s open.’’
Davis said the “sophistication’’ of D’Antoni’s speedball offense will take time to master, but he feels it will be worth the wait.
“To be out here and doing something I really love and playing with a coach I love and always loved watching and always wanted to play for, it’s like I’m here now,’’ Davis said. “It’s been a long journey.’’
Anthony was more muted — and perhaps more realistic — discussing Davis’ impact.
“We want him to take his time and get healthy,’’ Anthony said. “We saw flashes [yesterday]. He’s been out for months. We’re not expecting him to change everything in the first two games. It’s going to take some time.’’