Jeremy Lin: Knicks Players Who Must Step Up in His Absence

New York Knicks' head coach Mike Woodson has put to bed the notion that Jeremy Lin could return during the series with the Heat and now New York needs some of their lesser-known players to step up big in his absence.

According to USA Today, Lin is unlikely to even play a game during the first-round series. Woodson announced it to the media today.

"

"He's just not ready," interim Knicks coach Mike Woodson said at practice Tuesday.

"

The void left by Lin has become increasingly bigger as the playoffs have gone on now that Baron Davis' severe knee injury will not only knock him out for the playoffs, but for an entire year.

New York will desperately need some of their bench players to take bigger roles and help cover the minutes lost by Lin and Davis' injuries. Here are some players that fit the bill.

Mike Bibby

While Bibby's best days are behind him, the Knicks could still get solid production from the veteran point guard. Since his minutes have increased, Bibby hasn't been a turnover machine by any stretch and is a safe option at the position.

His shooting is still there and after hitting a huge three-pointer in Game 4, Bibby proved he can still hit a big shot like he used to with the Sacramento Kings.

Coach Woodson can only hope he can increase Bibby's minutes and not expose him. That'll be tough to do, but the Knicks don't really have many more options at this point.

Toney Douglas

Remember way back when this condensed season started, the Knicks had Douglas as their starting point guard and after failing at the job, he was sent to the end of the bench by Mike D'Antoni.

Since Woodson has taken over, things haven't really changed but that doesn't matter now. New York needs someone to cover the minutes at the point without taking scoring opportunities from their better players (Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith).

Douglas won't give them much, but he can still be a dangerous perimeter shooter and isn't bad at attacking the basket. The question will remain if he can stay within himself and play with some control as he runs the offense.

If not, his leash will be short and coach Woodson won't be hesitant to return him to the bench. If given the opportunity, this will be Douglas' last shot to truly prove he can help this team.

J.R. Smith

Without a true point guard to run the offense for 48 minutes, Smith will be handling the ball even more than he normally does.

While New York doesn't want to limit his scoring chances by him facilitating for others, there isn't really many other options besides Bibby and Anthony.

Smith has been known in the past for his penchant for silly turnovers. He needs to show more patience and place a higher value on ball control.

You can't afford to give the Heat extra possessions and the Knicks certainly know that.