KNICK NOTES
INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers coach Larry Bird fully expects to see the Knicks use their controversial “Big Backcourt” a lot tonight at Conseco Field House, although Jeff Van Gundy has said he wants to start games with point guard Charlie Ward.
Although the Knicks might start with a point guard tonight, Van Gundy likely will use the Allan Houston-Latrell Sprewell backcourt vs. the Pacers at times.
In both Indiana games this season, Van Gundy used a point-guard-less lineup — a formation Charlie Ward and Chris Childs view as gimmicky and a formation they understandably loathe.
In the first meeting on Christmas, the Knicks were in the midst of a three-game experiment going big as a rebounding remedy. But those plans were scrapped when Houston told Van Gundy he didn’t feel comfortable.
But the Big Backcourt was resurrected when Ward went down with a broken pinkie Feb. 16. Van Gundy used it for a nine-game stretch during Ward’s absence, including the Feb. 19 game when the Knicks blew out the Pacers 87-73 at the Garden.
Since Ward returned March 7, the Big Backcourt has been shelved as a starting unit.
“They did so well the last game, but we weren’t playing,” Bird said. “We weren’t prepared to play and the guys mentally weren’t into it. It worked, so I’m sure we’ll see it. If we could come out and meet the challenge and take care of business, I think we can eliminate it.”
While having 6-6 Houston post up the smaller Mark Jackson is appealing, the best part for the Knicks is having Larry Johnson slide down to small forward to defend Pacers’ emerging star Jalen Rose.
“It gives them two big guys and two legit scorers in the backcourt but it also creates negatives for them,” said Jackson, the stocky former Knick who has had his way with Ward.
“Neither of those guys are point guards. It’s a disadvantage not having a point guard out there who can run the show. You’re asking someone to do something they’re not used to doing.”
Ultimately, going big against Indiana might be the most significant coaching decision Van Gundy faces all season. One way or another, it should have major ramifications on whether the Knicks return to The Finals since they are favored to play the Pacers in the East finals.
Patrick Ewing’s failure to get to the free-throw line once against Shaquille O’Neal Sunday was the sixth game that’s happened to him this season. Ewing is averaging just 4.6 free throw attempts per game, lending credence to Van Gundy’s view that he no longer gets superstar calls.
The Pacers are closing in on their best home record ever. That mark was set in 1994-95 when they went 33-8. The Pacers are 30-3 and need to play .500 at home the rest of the way to set a franchise-best.
Dale Davis has missed the last four games with hamstring problems but should return tonight. Austin Croshere, who hurt the Knicks in their first meeting, has started in Davis’ spot and done very well (13.5 ppg, 12.0 rpg) … Derrick McKey has missed the last two games with a right-leg strain but is likely to return.
Van Gundy on the bitter Lakers’ loss: “I thought it was a step back a little bit. I wanted to see us respond a little better going through the struggles in the third quarter and have the resolve to find a way to keep that game close. Going into the fourth, we let the game get away from us.”
