Knicks · Interview: Baron a Knick; Believes They Can Win Now (page 1)

Baron a Knick; Believes They Can Win Now

Posted on Monday, December 19, 2011 1:36 pm
by Al Iannazzone
The Knicks officially signed two-time All-Star guard Baron Davis today.

They probably won’t see him on the court until sometime in February at the earliest because of a back injury. Really all that matters is he’s healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs. Davis believes he has plenty left and will add some missing ingredients in the Knicks’ chase for an NBA title.

“Winning is the most important thing with me,” Davis said. “That’s what basketball is all about: is to have that joy and to lift that trophy. This is my sole motivation for coming here: I think that we have the tools and the pieces and if we can gel together and develop that team chemistry, I like our chances against anybody in this league.”

Davis said he chose the Knicks over the Heat and Lakers because of the opportunity to play with the frontline of Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler, to play in Madison Square Garden and in Mike D’Antoni’s system.

“I think it’s going be great,” Davis said. “When you look at the success that Steve Nash had and Raymond Felton and Chris Duhon, this offense is definitely geared for the passing guard. I know a lot of people don’t consider me a passer, in my career I’ve had to do a lot of scoring, but I’ve always prided myself on passing it and being an unselfish player.

“So I think it will give me an opportunity, and a lot of people an opportunity, to see my passing skills and see how I really direct the floor and be a leader out there on the floor.”

Here is Davis on some other topics:

His health: “I’m just going to work as hard as I possibly can to push. Right now they’re talking about 8-10 weeks or whatever they’re saying. For me it’s taking it one day at a time and just improving and getting ready and getting as close as I possibly can and getting back as early as I possibly can.”

Davis said he has a herniated disc and is “very confident” it won’t requite surgery.

“It’s something I know I can definitely overcome,” he said.

On being more of a passer with the Knicks because of the scorers they have: “I think the facilitator role for me will be great. With the spacing out there on the floor and the way the offense is positioned and the shooters that we have, the offensive threats that we have, if I can just create a lot of havoc on the offensive end and confuse their defense and get us open shots, I think that’s my job.”

On what he can bring the Knicks when he’s finally healthy: “Whatever the team needs me to do from a vocal standpoint and a leadership standpoint. Working with the young guards and being an extension of what the coach wants out there. Just doing whatever – whether it’s defense, diving on the floor, taking charges – I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get this team to win. Everybody is going to have fun and play well on the offensive end. I think I can add a little of that as well as some defensive tenacity. You’ll see a lot of emotion, and a lot of hustle and hard work.”

http://blog.northjersey.com/knicks/37/baron-joins-knicks-believes-they-can-win-now/

Well, he is at least making all the right statements. If he can truly embrace being a passer first and not worry about scoring unless needed, he will be a good fit for us. He is a solid passer, a decent defender, and a clutch player. If the back can get healthy, he will be the best starting PG we have had in years (and yes, I think he is slightly better than Billups at this stage of their careers, considering the offense we run).

TheGame wrote:Well, he is at least making all the right statements. If he can truly embrace being a passer first and not worry about scoring unless needed, he will be a good fit for us. He is a solid passer, a decent defender, and a clutch player. If the back can get healthy, he will be the best starting PG we have had in years (and yes, I think he is slightly better than Billups at this stage of their careers, considering the offense we run).

I think Baron is WAY better than Billups FOR THIS OFFENSE! Baron has much more passing talent than CB. CB was never a very gifted passer. He really struggled to run this offense, even tho he has other strengths which made him somewhat successful here. Baron is a much more gifted passer than most people realize. It comes easy to him. He also knows how to breakdown a defense and hit the open man. Baron has better handle than CB too. The biggest difference between Baron and any PG we've had in years is COURT VISION. Really the only thing i'm concerned about is his back. If he can get healthy I think he's tailor made for this team and system.

i like Baron better than Billups too. he's much more creative. will probably be a much better orchestrator on offense.

^ What he said...agreed...

i like baron better than billups, too.

and i know i was pushing hard for Crawford, but i didn't think Baron was going to get amnestied. I think Baron is way better than Crawford for this team, too.

perfect fit. love the things he's saying on his way in the door. you can tell he knows what to expect from D'Antoni - he knows every point guard that's played for MDA. that doesn't sound canned, it sounds like he's genuinely excited to be here.

crzymdups wrote:i like baron better than billups, too.

and i know i was pushing hard for Crawford, but i didn't think Baron was going to get amnestied. I think Baron is way better than Crawford for this team, too.

perfect fit. love the things he's saying on his way in the door. you can tell he knows what to expect from D'Antoni - he knows every point guard that's played for MDA. that doesn't sound canned, it sounds like he's genuinely excited to be here.

OH yeah, BD isn't a fool. He saw how Nash blew up into a 2X MVP and a journeyman like Felton avg'd 17/9!!! This is Felton we're talking about.

I don't like the back issue....it took Amare 3 months..

knicks1248 wrote:I don't like the back issue....it took Amare 3 months..

yeah...that's why I think he doesn't really have a back issue...I think it's just that he's not in basketball shape. I expect him to have a miraculous recovery and he will be playing sooner then expected

He knows for sure he will be better because its a charade.

He'll be back in three weeks.

Nalod wrote:
He knows for sure he will be better because its a charade.

He'll be back in three weeks.

SHHHHHHH! Let's keep that secret low, so ol' Dave Stern won't know.

It's something that only me, you, everyone here @ UK with sense, and most of the shrewd media and NBA fans have figured out.

I'm a bit shocked that other teams aren't whining about it. Baron Davis went through waivers and signed with the Knicks without nary a peep from anyone.

When the Knicks start barnstorming the league this season, with B-Diddy tossin' up enough alley-oops to rename NYC "New Lob City", THEN other teams will start crying to Stern about the "ploy" that got Baron Davis to the NYK.

Nalod wrote:
He knows for sure he will be better because its a charade.

He'll be back in three weeks.

yeah, this is what i think, too. my guess is he, d'antoni, grunwald and his agent are trying to determine how long baron has to sit out to not make cleveland look like patsies. i'm guessing 3-4 weeks, playing by late january, early feb at the latest.

it all comes down to whether baron is motivated. when motivated, this guy is one of the best pg's in the league. he's a willing passer, he loves to play fast and he can shoot the ball. that run he had with the warriors in the playoffs when they beat the mavs back in 07 is exhibit a of what he's capable of. as long as his back is ok, i think he'll be plenty motivated and excited to be playing here and i think we get the very best of baron davis.

who needs a big 3 when you can have a big 4?

ok, maybe i'm getting a bit carried away

Stern wants this.

Dolan has Stern in the back of the truck for months now.

Stern knows a good buzz is what is needed for the league.

Miami thing is all quiet now (scarey!) with no pep rallies or talk of going undefeated.

Boston will be running on vapors by March, and Lakers are done cuz Kobe legs will be tired on his quest to fulfil the legend of Wilt and Magic as to who the greatest Laker is!

Wilt lost his offensive prowess when he built the moutain house with the round FUCKroom. Dude lost his legs and to get the 20k head count he broke the rule of no sex on game days.

ANyway, Stern knows a good ratings booster and knows that Gilbert is ok as long as He is not paying 13 mil to Baron so he can play with Miami superfriends.

Nalod wrote:Stern wants this.

Dolan has Stern in the back of the truck for months now.

Stern knows a good buzz is what is needed for the league.

Miami thing is all quiet now (scarey!) with no pep rallies or talk of going undefeated.

Boston will be running on vapors by March, and Lakers are done cuz Kobe legs will be tired on his quest to fulfil the legend of Wilt and Magic as to who the greatest Laker is!

Wilt lost his offensive prowess when he built the moutain house with the round FUCKroom. Dude lost his legs and to get the 20k head count he broke the rule of no sex on game days.

ANyway, Stern knows a good ratings booster and knows that Gilbert is ok as long as He is not paying 13 mil to Baron so he can play with Miami superfriends.

yeah, you want the conspiracy theory version - the last time the knicks made two big acquistions (camby and spree) was before the lockout season. camby trade happened before the lockout, but the spree thing happened very quickly right when the lockout ended, kinda like tyson and baron did.

in 99 knicks make an improbable run to the finals and the lockout is a distant memory by the next season. same thing this year? i guess we'll know if dick bavetta is reffing knicks big playoffs games!

stern had magnets working on houston's floater in miami in game 5!

crzymdups wrote:

Nalod wrote:Stern wants this.

Dolan has Stern in the back of the truck for months now.

Stern knows a good buzz is what is needed for the league.

Miami thing is all quiet now (scarey!) with no pep rallies or talk of going undefeated.

Boston will be running on vapors by March, and Lakers are done cuz Kobe legs will be tired on his quest to fulfil the legend of Wilt and Magic as to who the greatest Laker is!

Wilt lost his offensive prowess when he built the moutain house with the round FUCKroom. Dude lost his legs and to get the 20k head count he broke the rule of no sex on game days.

ANyway, Stern knows a good ratings booster and knows that Gilbert is ok as long as He is not paying 13 mil to Baron so he can play with Miami superfriends.

yeah, you want the conspiracy theory version - the last time the knicks made two big acquistions (camby and spree) was before the lockout season. camby trade happened before the lockout, but the spree thing happened very quickly right when the lockout ended, kinda like tyson and baron did.

in 99 knicks make an improbable run to the finals and the lockout is a distant memory by the next season. same thing this year? i guess we'll know if dick bavetta is reffing knicks big playoffs games!

stern had magnets working on houston's floater in miami in game 5!

And don't forget, it was before Miss Cleo got busted!

Thats right Knick Bavetta!

crzymdups wrote:

Nalod wrote:
He knows for sure he will be better because its a charade.

He'll be back in three weeks.

yeah, this is what i think, too. my guess is he, d'antoni, grunwald and his agent are trying to determine how long baron has to sit out to not make cleveland look like patsies. i'm guessing 3-4 weeks, playing by late january, early feb at the latest.

That's cuz y'all crazy homers.

Maybe we should all chip in for a wheel chair.

Man I still can't believe the last year this franchise has had. We sign STAT last July 2010, then make the big trade for Melo in Feb., Then sign Tyson and B Diddy this month. That is just an amazing turnaround of this teams starting lineup. All this and this starting lineup is still younger than the Boston Celtics were when they got together. This group is in full WIN NOW position.

subzero0 wrote:Maybe we should all chip in for a wheel chair.

We are in to recycling and enviro-friendly theme. HE will have to use Donnie's