Mike D’Antoni believes the Knicks will be OK at point guard with Toney Douglas, but the club is making a strong pitch for free-agent Mike Bibby as a potential backup.  Read more after the jump.
The Post reported in yesterday’s editions Bibby was a D’Antoni favorite and would be a likely target once starting point guard Chauncey Billups is waived via the amnesty clause. Last night, the Knicks were in talks with Bibby’s agent David Falk, who ironically is also the representative for Douglas.
Bibby could actually find himself in a bench role, according to a source, because of the Knicks’ new emphasis on defense. Douglas is a tenacious defender and prides himself on that end of the court. Falk wouldn’t mind Bibby having a backup role to Douglas, who has a team option next season.
The Tyson Chandler package that ruins the Knicks’ cap space for 2012 helps Douglas’ long-term future with the Knicks because they likely will exercise the option instead of clearing space.
Bibby, 33, has been an excellent penetrator and 3-pointer shooter across his 12-year career, but has always been a poor perimeter defender and was exposed during the NBA Finals when he had a terrible series on both ends in the Heat’s loss to the Mavericks.
But Bibby can handle the ball and shoot, a welcome addition to a depleted backcourt caused by the imminent amnesty waiver of Billups.
Bibby played the final 22 games with Miami after Washington picked him up in a trade and waived him. In the playoffs he started 20 games during Miami’s run to the Finals but was dreadful, shooting 25.8 percent and averaging 3.6 points.
Bibby’s arrival could hurt the playing time of first-round pick Iman Shumpert, but the rookie can guard both positions.
The Knicks initially were also interested in adding another shooter and inquired about Richard Hamilton, who was waived by Detroit yesterday. But last night he was involved in intense negotiations to join Chicago.
As reported yesterday, the Knicks no longer have their $5 million mid-level exception because they dipped under the cap to do the Chandler deal. They would have the $1.9 million veteran’s minimum or the new $2.5 million exception for teams slightly below the salary cap that was placed into the new CBA.
D’Antoni apparently tried to boost Douglas’ confidence, saying adding a point guard wasn’t urgent.
“We’ll see,’’ D’Antoni said. “I’m very comfortable with Toney doing it. I think the team will look more like the old Celtic teams when the ball was going through Bird a lot. [Carmelo Anthony] is one of the best passers we have.’’
Douglas is coming off major right shoulder surgery and bulked up while rehabbing. Anthony gave Douglas a pep talk.
“I told Toney today, there’s a lot of pressure on you son,’’ Anthony said. “We’re here with him. I told him be ready when the ball goes up. The ball is in his hands right now.’’
