It’s appropriate the Knicks and Pacers square off tomorrow in Indianapolis out of the All-Star Break. Donnie Walsh, who had a hand in constructing both squads, believes the two teams have the most ingredients to spoil Miami’s predicted romp to the NBA Finals.
The Knicks and Pacers stand second and third in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Both have the same amount of victories with 32. The Knicks, despite a 1-3 dip into the break, are second to Miami at 32-18. The Pacers, with star forward Danny Granger about to return, are 32-21.
Walsh, in his second stint as Pacers general manager, has always been an advocate of size. If Knicks reserve big men Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby get healthy in the second half, the undersized Heat may have trouble with the Knicks, according to Walsh. The Pacers and Knicks are each 2-0 against the defending champs.
“Big teams have a good chance,’’ Walsh told The Post yesterday. “Miami is better against smaller lineups. They don’t have a big team. If you’re a team built like Miami is, you have no chance. If you got size, you might have a chance.’’
“I really like the Knicks’ team. They’re built for this time of year and the playoffs. They have a lot of veterans who’ve been there before. They don’t have good size, they have great size. They have everything they need to be successful in the playoffs.’’
Walsh, a Bronx native, ran the Knicks from May 2007 to July 2011, passing on a Knicks contract extension, no longer wanting to work for owner James Dolan.
“We both have a long way to go,’’ Walsh said. “Both teams are positioned well at this point. I do think size has always been something you strive for. I think we have it and the Knicks have it.’’
During All-Star weekend, LeBron James said the Knicks and Pacers are on his list when asked if the only opponent standing in the Heat’s way are the Heat themselves.
“That’s not true,’’ James said. “Indiana is very, very good. Very good. New York is very good. Chicago is very good. Boston’s very good. We have to prepare for those teams and we have to get ready for those teams when the playoffs come around. We know we’re going to match up against one of them.’’
The Pacers have succeeded without Granger, a Walsh draft pick who has not played this season due to knee patellar teninosis. Paul George emerged, making his first All-Star Game. Granger is back practicing and could debut tomorrow, Walsh said.
The Pacers lineup has size around Granger and George in center Roy Hibbert, power forward David West, and reserve Tyler Hansbrough. They’ve also gotten a big season out of former Lincoln big guard Lance Stephenson.
Walsh’s parting gift to the Knicks was drafting Iman Shumpert with the 17th pick in 2011. Shumpert’s return from ACL surgery has been disappointing, but Walsh said he expects a Shumpert resurgence.
“Without a doubt, I loved that pick,’’ Walsh said. “I really think he’s going to be a very important player for the Knicks, mainly because he’s good enough defensively to take the best player out of the game.” I know coming back from injury, he doesn’t have his feet under him yet. That will happen but I do think it takes time.’’
Walsh signed Amar’e Stoudemire for $100 million, and is not surprised Stoudemire fits well off the bench.
“It puts the Knicks in a position to have the best of both worlds,’’ Walsh said. “They create mismatches when they go to the bench. I’ve watched Amar’e and Carmelo [Anthony]. I don’t doubt they can play together.’’
Walsh got both of them to New York. Now he tries to beat them.
“I wanted to see the Knicks become what they were when the Pacers used to play them in playoffs in the 1990s,’’ Walsh said. “I’m happy I had a small part of it. I enjoyed my time there. No bad thoughts about my time in New York. I did what I said I was going to do. Glen [Knicks GM Grunwald] has carried on and made it better.’’
Additional reporting
by Fred Kerber.