If Knicks call, James would be interested
April, 1, 2012

By Ian Begley

Mike Woodson doesn't think the Knicks will go after a point guard in the wake of Jeremy Lin's meniscus tear.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down with [general manager] Glen [Grunwald] and [owner) Mr. [James] Dolan and see. My thinking is that we'll probably go with what we have," Woodson said on Saturday. "I don't think there's a whole lot out there right now who will make a big difference for our ball club."

If they changed course and decided to make a run at a veteran on the market, Mike James could be a candidate.

James has been with the Chicago Bulls for three separate 10-day contracts this season. And, according to his agent, he'd welcome a chance to play in New York.

"It's a career-long dream for him," agent Bernie Lee said of James, an Amityville native.

Lee said on Sunday afternoon that he isn't expecting a call from the Knicks. Another name that could pop up if the Knicks decided to go after a veteran is Anthony Carter, who was waived last month by Toronto. Both James and Carter would be eligible for the playoffs. But the Knicks would have to release a player on their roster to make room for either veteran. They currently have 15 players under contract.

Shortly before Linsanity launched on Feb. 4, James was very close to inking a deal with the Knicks. The Knicks likely would have added James if Lin hadn't began his stellar run of play on Feb. 4 against the Nets.

For now, the team will go with Mike Bibby and Toney Douglas as back-ups to Baron Davis.

Guard Iman Shumpert, who is more comfortable at shooting guard and small forward, may see some minutes at point guard. Douglas' minutes have been almost non-existent since Lin emerged, but he did play 10 minutes on Saturday against Cleveland, going 2-for-5 with five points.

At this point in his 13-year career, Bibby is limited to being a stand-still jump shooter.

So, if the options behind Davis don't pan out, the Knicks may look to add a veteran.

James has a history with the Knicks coaching staff.

He played for Mike Woodson in Detroit and has also played for Knicks assistant Jim Todd.

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Would this be a real upgrade over Mike Bibby at PG?

MSG3 wrote:I'd roll with Anthony Carter. I thought he should've been back with us to start the season. He played great last year whenever he got burn.

CrushAlot wrote:

MSG3 wrote:I'd roll with Anthony Carter. I thought he should've been back with us to start the season. He played great last year whenever he got burn.

I didn't realize Carter was available. I think he would be a great fit.

word.

Carter and Shump in the backcourt would be a defensive nightmare.