"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.

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."