The Knicks will protect the asset known as Linsanity.
Coach Mike Woodson ruled out point guard Jeremy Lin not just for Wednesday night's Game 5 in Miami but for the rest of the first-round series. Woodson said doctors have determined it was too soon for Lin to return after undergoing left-knee surgery 5 ¹/ weeks ago. Lin could play in Round 2, but the Knicks are extreme long shots to rally past the Heat.
“He will not play in the series,’’ Woodson said after Tuesday's practice. “He’s just not ready. They will let him know when he’s ready, and I’m sure he’ll step up to the plate and say he’s ready when that time comes. Right now he’s not. He’s not physically ready to play. If he’s not ready to go based on how he’s feeling, we have to respect that.”
After scrimmaging Monday, Lin was limited to taking shots and walking through the team’s offense Tuesday. Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony said it is the correct call to sit Lin and tellingly talked about playing with him next season.
Lin is a restricted free agent, and the Knicks are expected to match any offer and use their $5 million mid-level exception on the 24-year-old phenom, meaning any pursuit of Steve Nash would be compromised.
“It’s mainly about being ready for an incredible year next year,’’ Stoudemire said. “I want him to be healthy and make sure he understands health is very important. And you won’t want to mess around with any injuries. Brandon Roy came back early [from knee surgery]. He’s a good friend and now he’s retired.’’
Anthony said he spoke with Lin last week and told him not to play.
“We had a private conversation about his return,’’ Anthony said. “My main thing is his health. If he’s not 100 percent healthy, 110 percent healthy, then no need to come out here. There’s no telling how many minutes he’s going to play coming back, he hasn’t been playing. I just want him to take care of himself right now.”
The urgency for Lin to return increased after starting point guard Baron Davis went down with a season-ending knee injury Sunday. The Knicks trail in the series 3-1.
“We are shorthanded but that’s what it is,’’ Woodson said.
Woodson will start Mike Bibby at point guard tonight. Toney Douglas may play a backup role, but Woodson also wants to use J.R. Smith in a big backcourt to combat the Heat going big with LeBron James or Dwyane Wade at point guard.
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Wednesday night could be the final game in Knicks uniforms for free agents Bibby, Smith, Jared Jeffries, Steve Novak and even Landry Fields.
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Knicks legend Patrick Ewing will interview with his buddy Michael Jordan for the Bobcats’ head coaching job after Paul Silas was not retained. The Bobcats set the NBA record for lowest winning percentage this season.
Ewing, an assistant with the Magic, had expressed interest in the Knicks job last month, but said he expected several interviews this offseason. Also in play for the Charlotte job is former Knicks assistant Michael Malone.
marc.berman@nypost.com
Mike Woodson, Jeremy Lin, Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, Woodson, Woodson, Mike Bibby
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