It is a virtual cliché, used by every coach who ever has held a whistle or clipboard, or any player pining for playing time: Be ready, because you never know when the call will come.
So Sasha Vujacic, about as much a part of the Knicks’ rotation this season as Winston Churchill, stayed ready. And when summoned for a second straight night Wednesday, Vujacic not only produced, he produced Knicks history.
“When I got into the game, I was trying to use that opportunity as much as I could. From the beginning of the season, I wasn’t in the rotation, in and out,” said Vujacic whose energy and 12 points — including two four-point plays — were key elements in a 95-90 comeback win over the Nets at Barclays Center.
“It is not the easiest thing to stay positive always but you have to be positive and supportive. I felt like, ‘If I get an opportunity, I am just going to go for it’ and teammates trusted me,” Vujacic said. “It felt like I was breathing again. I miss that feeling.”
Vujacic, a two-time champ with the Lakers, gave the Knicks their first game with two four-point plays. Double four-point plays have been done by the same player before — James Jones, then with Miami, had two 11 seconds apart in the 2009 playoffs. But Vujacic was happiest about the playing time.
He played the entire fourth quarter — so did Justin Holiday and Brandon Jennings — as coach Jeff Hornacek had tired and ineffective starters Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee sit. Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez played the bulk of the fourth, with Mindaugas Kuzminskas getting the other minutes.
“At this particular moment, I have to prove myself once again. It feels like a rookie, being put on the side and having that one seat reserved that you will never get in. It is frustrating but you got to stay positive,” Vujacic said. “I am not going to give up.I know there is plenty more in me.”
Kristaps Porzingis will be one of eight participants in the Feb. 18 Skills Challenge at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.
The competition, which will pit big men versus guards, tests the players’ ball-handling, passing and shooting.
There still was running to do, which Derrick Rose said he hoped to accomplish Thursday and Friday. Then on Saturday, Rose hopes to return to the court, after missing three games with a sprained left ankle. Rose discarded a walking boot Wednesday and insisted he would be cautious working his way back.
After all, Rose has battled his share of injuries in his career.
“It’s just reading your body. With three or four years of having major injuries you have no other choice but to learn your body and figure out how your body moves and what movements you’re used to doing while you’re out there,” Rose said. “I felt like cutting, that would be one thing. And defensively, being able to get over pick and rolls and really get into my guys and being able to explode.”
Anthony said sitting the entire fourth quarter Wednesday was not that hard. He said he needed a breather in the second game of a back-to-back and had played 46 minutes Sunday.
“Yeah, of course. I wish I could have got it in a different way,” Anthony said of the rest. “I wish we could have been up by 20 or something where I could have sat out, but my teammates held it down for me.”
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