Knicks plan to grin and Baron it

Knicks plan to grin and Baron it

Ron Antonelli/New York Daily News

Knicks guard Baron Davis (l.) is thought to be the X-factor for Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks early in the season, but that was well before Linsanity starts.

For the first month of the season, before Linsanity hit Broadway, the Knicks were wondering if Baron Davis wou ld be able to recover from a back injury and guide this team to the playoffs.

Now, they will have to find out.

KNICKS HOLD BACK LIN-FO ON JEREMY'S INJURY

With Jeremy Lin out with a knee injury, the Knicks will rely on Davis, who was out of practice Monday with a hamstring injury, to guide them through April.

Who is in uniform is who we are going with, Woodson said after practice Monday.

LIN HAS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY, POSTS PIC ON FACEBOOK

So Tuesday night, Davis will be the man at point when the Knicks take on the Pacers in Indianapolis. Even though he is not 100 physically, Davis said he can do the job.

I have complete confidence in myself, in my game and in my teammates, and they have confidence in me, Davis said. I know what I need to do in order to set us up for the win, to keep us in games, its just a matter of continuing to be patient. I know I am an explosive scorer, I am capable of dominating a basketball game. Its more so doing it mentally not than physically now, but as I get better and better I know I can do that."

Woodson said it will be a four-man rotation at point guard to try and limit the affect on Davis body: Mike Bibby, Toney Douglas and even rookie shooting guard Iman Shumpert will spell Davis.

I cant play him 30, 35 minutes, we just cant do it, Woodson said of Davis. I just dont feel like he will have much left and it might take a day or two to recover.

Hes getting there, but hes not there quite yet."

Davis said the back has been stable, since his return Feb. 20, but he will likely have to play through nagging injuries like the hamstring pull the rest of the season.

I think at this point youve got to go with whatever injury you have, Davis said. Whatever nick or scratch or whatever that situation is, you just have to go with it at this point.

In his 19 games back after missing the f irst 32, Davis has averaged 19.1 minutes per game. He is averaging 5.6 points, 5.1 assists and 2.6 turnovers per game. Even playing with some discomfort in his back at times and the hamstring injury, Davis feels he can be much better.

I am definitely not happy where my game is, Davis said. I am happy where my body is, considering where I started the season, thinking I might not even be able to play basketball again.

But, now I know I definitely know I can get back to my old self and doing the things I am capable of doing, he continued. I may have lost a lot of athleticism, but I can still pass the ball well and run a team.

SEE YOU SOON?

Woodson said there was no timetable for Lin, who had surgery to repair a torn meniscus Monday, or Amare Stoudemire (bulging disc).

Stoudemire was at the MSG Training facility for treatment Monday and is expected to travel with the team to Indiana Tuesday, according to the team.