TNT analyst, two-time NBA champion and Queens native Kenny Smith talks Knicks future, Heat present and more with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Do you think Mike Woodson deserves to return as Knicks coach?
A: Woody did a great job. He’s added perspective to this team. He has gotten the guys on the team to buy into 1) passing and 2) playing defense. He’s earned the opportunity to have all his best players together, which he really has not had for a sustained amount of time. So, I hope they give him a chance.
Q: Does the one victory against the Heat give the Knicks anything to build on?
A: No, that doesn’t mean anything. What you try to do now is determine whether your style of play had an impact on the Miami Heat. But it was just a one night thing. They are the measuring stick of the Eastern Conference. You don’t measure yourself against Philadelphia right? Not anyone except for Miami and Chicago. The Knicks have to figure out what they have to do to be competitive with them.
Q: Is there a team that can beat the Heat in Eastern Conference?
A: Honestly, no. The Knicks posed the most problems because offensively they have a guy that can score 40 points on a night and another guy that could probably get 30. I don’t see anyone else that can form those kind of problems for them. Indiana is going to be a tough out, but they are Denver. The Nuggets and Pacers can throw multiple people at you and hope to wear you down.
Q: After the Heat lost Game 4 to the Knicks, the decision to have Dwyane Wade take the winning shot over LeBron James was scrutinized at length. Can that take a toll as the playoffs wear on?
A: All great teams are like that. We scrutinize the Lakers and Kobe Bryant the same way: When he doesn’t get the ball in certain areas or he is shooting too much. With the Thunder when Russell Westbrook is shooting too much and Kevin Durant doesn’t get it. That’s what comes with greatness.
Q: What matchup will you be eyeing if the Lakers and Thunder meet in the second round?
A: Over the last year, it’s been the Lakers inability to cover quick, small guards like we have seen with Denver’s Ty Lawson. So, Russell Westbrook can go off on them. They have to at least keep him under control, that will be there challenge. When (Metta World Peace) is back he gets every one playing their right positions. Steve Blake doesn’t have to be a 2 guard, he can be a back up point guard and Kobe (Bryant) can slide over to the 2, and World Peace can move to the 3.