So much for any chance of the Knicks starting the controversial Big Backcourt today vs. Toronto as they did twice during the season.
Jeff Van Gundy has been tightlipped about his lineup, but Charlie Ward said yesterday he’ll be the starting point guard when the Knicks play host to the Raptors in Game 1 at the Garden.
Naturally, things can change in the next few games, especially with the contests being spread out, giving teams two-to-three days off. And Van Gundy could go big at some point today.
But for now, it’s Ward, and that means he’ll be pitted against the converted point guard and ex-Knick Doug Christie.
Christie, who is 6-6, towers over the 6-2 Ward, but Van Gundy is willing to see how it pans out.
“We’re not going to change,” Ward said. “They’re not going to change, no matter whether it’s a disadvantage. I’ve still got to go out and play. All my life I’ve had disadvantages. You win some, you lose some.”
Christie missed the last meeting nine days ago in Toronto with a sciatica nerve problem that affected his ankle. In the other three games, Christie was Toronto’s second-leading scorer, averaged 14.3 points.
“He’s a big guard and can post up and he can knock down the 3,” Ward said. “He’s very effective. I’ve played against him in practice a lot and he’s very effective. He’s been doing a good job for them whether he has point-guard skills or not. He does what they need him to do.”
So will Ward. If Van Gundy decides later in the series to start the big backcourt consisting of natural shooting guards Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell, he will do so without making a peep.
Both Chris Childs and Ward, however, are both on the record as saying they feel the Knicks’ offense runs smoother with a point guard on the court.
“I’ve also said it’s up to the coach,” Ward said. “That’s what I capped it off with. I feel like we need point guards on the court, but if the coach decided we don’t need a point guard on the court, there’s nothing I can do about it. As point guard you’re always needed as the guy to create for other guys. Whenever he goes with the big lineup, they have to create and they’ve done that in the past.”
Ward has lifted his game this season, especially from the 3-point line, where he shot 38.6 percent, drilling only four less than Houston. However, Ward has been invisible vs. Toronto. He scored no points and had two assists in the 86-71 Toronto clubbing nine days ago.
In three games vs. the Raptors this season, Ward has averaged 1.7 points, scoring five points in 80 minutes and shooting 1 of 7 from the 3-point line. That’s got to improve.