Mike Bibby acted defensive on his first official day with the Knicks, and is hoping to do the same on the Garden court starting on Christmas Day.
When told the fan reaction to his signing has been mixed, Bibby snapped, “I have nothing to prove. Ever since I came in, people have doubted me. I’m going on my 14th year. I don’t care what you guys say. I don’t care what anybody says about me. I’ve always been like that.’’
Indeed, Henry Bibby’s son has an edge to him — which isn’t bad. When asked if teams other than the Knicks were interested in him, Bibby said, “That’s for me to know and you all not to worry about. ”
Bibby, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million veteran minimum’s contract yesterday, has his tart side, although he didn’t show it against Tyson Chandler’s Mavericks during the NBA Finals, playing an awful series, shooting 26 percent and defending meekly.
Chandler said it’s unfair to judge Bibby’s stint in Miami, as he joined the team late in the season and played the final 21 games. Plus, he had to fit into a unorthodox Dream-Team environment.
“I know what Bibby has done his entire career,’’ Chandler said. “He’s a deadly shooter. He’s a pro. He’s going to come in, he knows how to run the offense. Last year was a difficult position for him. He came in late, trying to gel with the team. In this situation, he’ll have the opportunity to get comfortable here for a full year.
“He can definitely pass the ball and he can score. He can shoot as many times as he wants to. I’m going to go chase the ball.’’
Bibby blames his poor play in South Beach on a lack of practice time.
“Going in, I probably had three or four practices the whole time I was there,’’ Bibby said. “I know it was tough going into a situation like that. That’s what I wanted. It was a good experience for me.’’
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni has always had a crush on Bibby’s game.
“We think he still has gas left in the tank,’’ D’Antoni said. “Obviously he’s a very smart, good-shooting point guard. Not many guys who can come off the bench are as good as him. He’ll know his role. And we’ll see what evolves, too.’’
If Bibby turns out to be a sweet addition, thank former Hawks coach and current Knicks assistant Mike Woodson.
“The easy thing is, Mike Woodson coached him in Atlanta and his first words were: Whatever you need from him, he’ll give you — bench, starter, not playing. What we ask, he’ll do and do it professionally.’’
Bibby, 33, said New York was an easy choice even in a backup role.
“I’ve always wanted to play for D’Antoni and here’s my chance,’’ Bibby said.