GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Knicks point guard Baron Davis made his practice debut with the team Monday morning at their training facility.

It was the first time Davis participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage since signing with the Knicks on Dec. 20. Previously, he had been mostly working one-on-one with the team's training staff on his shooting, improving his strength and regaining his stamina after suffering a herniated disc in his back. It was an injury that at one point severely limited his movement, but on Monday he had a very spirited attitude on the court and while talking to reporters.

"It felt wonderful," Davis said, "considering like three months ago every time I came to the gym, I could barely walk or even pass the ball when I was working out with my kids. It just felt good to be out there with my teammates. I had a smile on my face. I just wanted to bring some spirit and some joy. It's been a long time coming."

After practice, Davis said he was rusty, as expected, and that "everything" is missing right now, referring to his timing, strength and conditioning. One thing he was pleased with was his basketball instincts, being able to feel out the offense and make some smart reads. Still though, Davis said it's going to take some time for him to adjust to coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo and free-flowing style.

"With the sophistication of our offense, and what Coach is demanding of us, everything is happening so fast," he said. "It just takes time and timing and pace in order to really get that rhythm. Once our offense catches up with our defense, we're going to be unstoppable, so I'm not really worried about our record."

Davis is viewed as a major solution for the team's offensive woes, as they're only averaging 94.3 points per game and power forward Amare Stoudemire is struggling from the field, shooting 41.3 percent. Davis, whose career averages are 16.5 points and 7.3 assists per game, knows he can definitely help, but as far as when, that's not yet been determined.

D'Antoni said there is no timetable for Davis' return. D'Antoni plans to ease him into the rotation, and he'll monitor his progress in the next couple of days with the team's training staff.

"The good is he's back on the floor and then we start getting better," the head coach said. "But it's going to take a little while for him to get his mojo back or whatever it is. But it was good, it was positive."

Davis, in fact, mulled retirement last summer while struggling with his injury, but he was excited about the opportunity to sign with the Knicks for a chance to compete for a championship.

Stoudemire is very happy to finally have Davis back.

"Baron came out and did a phenomenal job today," he said. "He's worked so hard this year. I saw him train all season, so it looks phenomenal. His creativity alone is something special, the way he handles the ball, the way he passes, the way he sees the game."
Davis is aware of the high expectations placed upon himself. In fact, they've been on every Knicks point guard -- Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Mike Bibby -- since Chauncey Billups was released via the amnesty clause on Dec. 10.

On paper, Davis is the best out of the current Knicks bunch. Is he up for the challenge? He said he is.

"I'm very, very confident that this season will definitely turn around," he said, "and we're going to hit our stride and we're going to have the fans behind us, even though they boo. They're just passionate about winning. All we ask is for their patience and to keep supporting us, because the booing is not going to really help us think through things."

Jared Zwerling is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

Anyone is better than Bibby and Novak taking up roster spots

Davis: “It felt good to be out there with teammates bringing some spirit and joy."

Translation: "If Landry keeps movin', our offense can be groovin'"

BDizzle: “I made a lot of mistakes, was very rusty, I didn’t play good, but a lot of instinctual things were there,"

Translation: "Fast don't lie"

Stoudemire: “Once our offense catches up with our defense, we’ll be unstoppable,"

Translation: "I didn't come to New York to be booed, I may be 6'11 but I ain't Randy Johnson?"

Davis said. “I’m confident this season we’ll turn it around."

Translation: Pick and roll? Piece of cake.

ATrain wrote:

crzymdups wrote:http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7493856/injured-baron-davis-first-full-practice-new-york-knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Knicks point guard Baron Davis made his practice debut with the team Monday morning at their training facility.

It was the first time Davis participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage since signing with the Knicks on Dec. 20. Previously, he had been mostly working one-on-one with the team's training staff on his shooting, improving his strength and regaining his stamina after suffering a herniated disc in his back. It was an injury that at one point severely limited his movement, but on Monday he had a very spirited attitude on the court and while talking to reporters.

"It felt wonderful," Davis said, "considering like three months ago every time I came to the gym, I could barely walk or even pass the ball when I was working out with my kids. It just felt good to be out there with my teammates. I had a smile on my face. I just wanted to bring some spirit and some joy. It's been a long time coming."

After practice, Davis said he was rusty, as expected, and that "everything" is missing right now, referring to his timing, strength and conditioning. One thing he was pleased with was his basketball instincts, being able to feel out the offense and make some smart reads. Still though, Davis said it's going to take some time for him to adjust to coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo and free-flowing style.

"With the sophistication of our offense, and what Coach is demanding of us, everything is happening so fast," he said. "It just takes time and timing and pace in order to really get that rhythm. Once our offense catches up with our defense, we're going to be unstoppable, so I'm not really worried about our record."

Davis is viewed as a major solution for the team's offensive woes, as they're only averaging 94.3 points per game and power forward Amare Stoudemire is struggling from the field, shooting 41.3 percent. Davis, whose career averages are 16.5 points and 7.3 assists per game, knows he can definitely help, but as far as when, that's not yet been determined.

D'Antoni said there is no timetable for Davis' return. D'Antoni plans to ease him into the rotation, and he'll monitor his progress in the next couple of days with the team's training staff.

"The good is he's back on the floor and then we start getting better," the head coach said. "But it's going to take a little while for him to get his mojo back or whatever it is. But it was good, it was positive."

Davis, in fact, mulled retirement last summer while struggling with his injury, but he was excited about the opportunity to sign with the Knicks for a chance to compete for a championship.

Stoudemire is very happy to finally have Davis back.

"Baron came out and did a phenomenal job today," he said. "He's worked so hard this year. I saw him train all season, so it looks phenomenal. His creativity alone is something special, the way he handles the ball, the way he passes, the way he sees the game."
Davis is aware of the high expectations placed upon himself. In fact, they've been on every Knicks point guard -- Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Mike Bibby -- since Chauncey Billups was released via the amnesty clause on Dec. 10.

On paper, Davis is the best out of the current Knicks bunch. Is he up for the challenge? He said he is.

"I'm very, very confident that this season will definitely turn around," he said, "and we're going to hit our stride and we're going to have the fans behind us, even though they boo. They're just passionate about winning. All we ask is for their patience and to keep supporting us, because the booing is not going to really help us think through things."

Jared Zwerling is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

If Davis comes back and Amar'e plays like the player he was last year..I think I will be equally happy and pissed.

Why will you be pissed?

ATrain wrote:

loweyecue wrote:

ATrain wrote:

crzymdups wrote:http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/7493856/injured-baron-davis-first-full-practice-new-york-knicks

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- New York Knicks point guard Baron Davis made his practice debut with the team Monday morning at their training facility.

It was the first time Davis participated in a 5-on-5 scrimmage since signing with the Knicks on Dec. 20. Previously, he had been mostly working one-on-one with the team's training staff on his shooting, improving his strength and regaining his stamina after suffering a herniated disc in his back. It was an injury that at one point severely limited his movement, but on Monday he had a very spirited attitude on the court and while talking to reporters.

"It felt wonderful," Davis said, "considering like three months ago every time I came to the gym, I could barely walk or even pass the ball when I was working out with my kids. It just felt good to be out there with my teammates. I had a smile on my face. I just wanted to bring some spirit and some joy. It's been a long time coming."

After practice, Davis said he was rusty, as expected, and that "everything" is missing right now, referring to his timing, strength and conditioning. One thing he was pleased with was his basketball instincts, being able to feel out the offense and make some smart reads. Still though, Davis said it's going to take some time for him to adjust to coach Mike D'Antoni's up-tempo and free-flowing style.

"With the sophistication of our offense, and what Coach is demanding of us, everything is happening so fast," he said. "It just takes time and timing and pace in order to really get that rhythm. Once our offense catches up with our defense, we're going to be unstoppable, so I'm not really worried about our record."

Davis is viewed as a major solution for the team's offensive woes, as they're only averaging 94.3 points per game and power forward Amare Stoudemire is struggling from the field, shooting 41.3 percent. Davis, whose career averages are 16.5 points and 7.3 assists per game, knows he can definitely help, but as far as when, that's not yet been determined.

D'Antoni said there is no timetable for Davis' return. D'Antoni plans to ease him into the rotation, and he'll monitor his progress in the next couple of days with the team's training staff.

"The good is he's back on the floor and then we start getting better," the head coach said. "But it's going to take a little while for him to get his mojo back or whatever it is. But it was good, it was positive."

Davis, in fact, mulled retirement last summer while struggling with his injury, but he was excited about the opportunity to sign with the Knicks for a chance to compete for a championship.

Stoudemire is very happy to finally have Davis back.

"Baron came out and did a phenomenal job today," he said. "He's worked so hard this year. I saw him train all season, so it looks phenomenal. His creativity alone is something special, the way he handles the ball, the way he passes, the way he sees the game."
Davis is aware of the high expectations placed upon himself. In fact, they've been on every Knicks point guard -- Toney Douglas, Iman Shumpert and Mike Bibby -- since Chauncey Billups was released via the amnesty clause on Dec. 10.

On paper, Davis is the best out of the current Knicks bunch. Is he up for the challenge? He said he is.

"I'm very, very confident that this season will definitely turn around," he said, "and we're going to hit our stride and we're going to have the fans behind us, even though they boo. They're just passionate about winning. All we ask is for their patience and to keep supporting us, because the booing is not going to really help us think through things."

Jared Zwerling is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com.

If Davis comes back and Amar'e plays like the player he was last year..I think I will be equally happy and pissed.

Why will you be pissed?

Because then it really is a lack of effort from him instead of "he's almost done. his legs/back are gone". Do I think he needs a Baron Davis/Steve Nash/Felton type of pg in order for him to be successful offensively? Hell yes. But his mentality can't be "things will be better when we get Baron". I want to see effort.

Too much Amare trashing going on on these boards. I thought his effort was better over the last two games. His points wont go up till we have a PG but at the back of his mind, the memory of missig last years payoff as price of exploding in the regular season has to be holding him back. I dont agree with it but the dude is human and he really beleives in carrying he team thru the playoffs. The effort will come.

http://www.msg.com/videos/baron-davis-post-practice-123-1.81509

crzymdups wrote:Baron post-practice interview on MSG:

http://www.msg.com/videos/baron-davis-post-practice-123-1.81509

Struck by Baron Davis' awareness. Note how he changes from talking about joy and freedom - to talking about the gift of teamwork that he brings to the table.

From his words, one can sense that he has a renewed appreciation of time... and opportunity to share the floor with more problematic talent than anywhere he has been.

Davis KNOWS in his heart he can be an agent of change. His eyes dance and are already looking for an open man. Note how he catches movement off camera near the end of the interview. He never loses his train of thought. Back into character.

The only caveat is his health. and the ability to wake up one more morning - with the ability to walk erect.

"our offense will catch up to our defense" wow, haven't heard that in NY in a long time lol.

sealy wrote:

nyk4ever wrote:watched that baron interview.. it was an absolute pleasure to listen to him talk about the team and what not only he can bring but what the team as a whole can bring. if anyone thought not having a real PG run this team wasn't a big deal, just by listening to baron you can tell he's going to make a difference. offensively, all he could talk about was having an offense that works for everyone and how he can help get melo and amear the touches they need. i just hope and pray he's healthy, if he is, we are the luckiest team this offseason to have gotten him.

"our offense will catch up to our defense" wow, haven't heard that in NY in a long time lol.

Yeah he seems very even keeled and I see no doubt that he'll be the vocal leader of this team going forward.

Legacy

When professional athletes can see the end of their careers the become more aware of goals larger than individual recognition. Maturity kicks in and the minutes are savored. At 32 years old, Baron sees New York as his legacy. The choice made perfect sense. New York is his opportunity to make a dramatic career statement - which is the reason you go professional in the first place. Certainly, the money is good, the locker rooms are carpeted and the hotel rooms are all first class - but at the end of the day, all that matters is "were you a winner?"

The last time Baron was in the playoffs, 2007, he made a nice impression. Averaging 25, 7 assists and 5 rebounds does not suck that bad. But that was Golden State. Do the same thing in New York and you get to host Saturday Night Live.

Which he would probably be pretty good at.

Nalod wrote:Good takes MrEarl....

I hope your right.

The dissection of his interview by you is very interesting......You sound like this guy:

Who is this guy?