For good or ill, the Knicks’ playoff prospects are now in the hands of the 15-year veteran Mike Bibby. Playing in his 10th playoffs, Bibby, 33, who was signed to the veteran’s minimum on Dec. 11, is more than familiar with the opponent at hand. Last season, Bibby put up the worst numbers of his career for the Miami Heat, a disappointing season culminating in a 3.6 Player Efficiency Rating (PER) during last year’s run to the N.B.A. finals.

For most of this season, Bibby’s production continued to hemorrhage. A former Arizona standout, Bibby was averaging nearly as many rebounds (3.8) as points (4.3). But with injury after injury thinning the Knicks’ bench, he has become all but necessary. While by no means spectacular, his playoff output thus far has been far from a burden.

Indeed, what Bibby lacks in Iman Shumpert’s two-way athleticism, Jeremy Lin’s quickness and Baron Davis’s superior driving strength, he more than makes up for in experience and lack of turnovers – crucial when pitted against the limb-flailing terror that is the Heat perimeter defense. In 83 minutes this series, he has coughed up the ball only four times, by far the lowest rate of any Knicks guard.

Granted, many of those minutes have come at the two guard position, where Bibby’s role has been less distributor and more spot-up shooter. Still, the Knicks’ top three lineups this series in terms of overall +/- have included Bibby, with the unit of Bibby, J.R. Smith, Carmelo Anthony, Jared Jeffries and Tyson Chandler (+9) being the most productive (statistics are from NBA.com).

Steady though he may be, Bibby is not exactly a youngster, meaning anything above 35 minutes of court time is either found money or, on the flip side, a recipe for fatigued disaster. Coach Mike Woodson has hinted that Toney Douglas – far fallen since beginning the season as the team’s starting point guard, and the owner of precisely zero minutes of playing time this series – could very well end up seeing some spot time at point guard. More likely, Woodson will have to rely on Anthony and Smith – capable, but by no means blinding in their marshaling talents – to run the offense while his lone remaining true point guard rests.

Bibby’s career has been marked by steadiness more than flashiness; he has always taken care of the ball (a mere 13.5 career turnover percentage), and seldom attempts the highlight-reel pass, save as an object of last – or absolute best – resort. Against a Miami squad built to get buckets off turnovers and in transition, Bibby’s possession-protecting pedigree will be crucial to the Knicks’ chances of forcing a Game 6 at Madison Square Garden.

- Jim Cavan is a contributing writer at KnickerBlogger.net

An aged Maurice Cheeks helped the Knicks eliminate the Celtics.

Any talk of Toney Douglas having a breakout game in Miami is the height of foolishness.

Stay thirsty Mike Bibby

misterearl wrote:Okayfine

Syniko wrote:I wouldn't trust my balls in my Mike Bibby's hands.

That qualifies as the most juvenile, homo-envious and irrelevant post of the day.

Win On Wednesday

I'm not going to trust Mike Bibby, that's all. I find it a little silly that we're latching on to anything for hope. Let's just hope for a great game instead of searching for a savior.

misterearl wrote:Well Said

GustavBahler wrote:Props for the last Knick PG standing.

Old School for life.

Amen to that.

CrushAlot wrote:I hope Bibby has a big game especially after Wade's comments and the nonsense with Bibby's sneaker. Punk moves on Wade's part. I hate the Heat.

loweyecue wrote:Miami will run their dawgs at Bibby incessantly - easy game plan - Create TOs and Fast break opportunities on the cheap. Bibby will have to really take care of the ball, otherwise this game can be over in the first half.

Syniko wrote:

IrishKnickFan wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:I hope Bibby has a big game especially after Wade's comments and the nonsense with Bibby's sneaker. Punk moves on Wade's part. I hate the Heat.

This is why everyone hates the heta. instead of just doing their job they talk smack about guys. remember last year they made fun of dirk and then they lost the last two

It's called being realistic.

loweyecue wrote:

Syniko wrote:

loweyecue wrote:Miami will run their dawgs at Bibby incessantly - easy game plan - Create TOs and Fast break opportunities on the cheap. Bibby will have to really take care of the ball, otherwise this game can be over in the first half.

Remember when Mike Bibby was a threat against the other team on the court? now he's a threat to his own team.

He is third string PG and gets paid like one. I don't hold this against Bibby, we are in a hopeless situation.

I'd hate to be the first one to point this out but, health wise and body wise, Bibby is fat. Paint him green and he'll look like a Ninja Turtle. I just wish all my fellow Knicks get their head out of the cloud. Bibby will score a few points but he isn't to turn into Jeremy Lin all of a sudden.