One time Knicks guard Jim Barnett, now a Warriors analyst, talks NBA Finals, LeBron James’ greatness and Phil Jackson’s challenge with The Post’s Justin Terranova. Barnett will be doing pregames and postgames for Comcast throughout the series.
Q: How did this Warriors season develop from your courtside seat?
A: It was pretty magical. They have a great chemistry in the locker room and they are selfless. Steph Curry is the leader and he’s the whole key. The way he lives as a person adds to the whole flavor of the team — very mature, very grounded.
Q: Was it a challenge for Steve Kerr to convince the team to move on from Mark Jackson?
A: Yes, but he would never phrase it that way. He went around and talked to every player when he got hired — as far as [going to] Australia with Andrew Bogut. Kerr has “it” — however you want to define that. He can be a great politician. He says the right thing at the right time to the right person. He knows how to handle the media, talk to every player as individuals and the team as a whole.
Q: Will the Cavaliers be a different type of challenge than what they’ve faced thus far?
A: It’s going to be very difficult to beat Cleveland. This could easily be a seven-game series. The Warriors need to have some great shooting nights because LeBron [James] is the most unique player I’ve ever seen. If I had to guard him, my top priority would be to keep him out of the lane and make him shoot jumpers.
Q: How do you do that?
A: LeBron James is the one player I think you have to double-team. But Kyrie Irving and J.R. Smith are outliers because they can win a game just with their own heroics, and one game can change the series. Tristan Thompson has his confidence and he’s really learned how to play since being the No. 4 pick. I’d still rather have those guys beat me than LeBron scoring 40. When the Warriors played in Cleveland, I’ve never seen him be so dominant. He really wanted to put on a show and it was like he was playing against high schoolers.
Q: Can your old friend Phil Jackson turn the Knicks around?
A: Things just got so bad for them and I was saying, “Geez, they can’t be that bad, particularly with Carmelo Anthony.” But I have to tell you that I am not a huge Carmelo Anthony fan. I hate to say it, but he’s just not my type of player. But Phil didn’t get to the pinnacle he did by accident or by luck. Phil is very cerebral and very special. He has what it takes to manage people, so I think he’ll get it done.