J.R. Smith said it doesn’t matter what the Nets did this summer, the Knicks still are Kings of New York.
Making his first remarks of the offseason and since his left knee surgery in mid-July, Smith praised the Knicks summer additions and said if he plays well in next season’s playoffs, it won’t matter what other clubs have done.
“It’s an unbelievable move for J-Kidd [Nets coach Jason Kidd] to have a team like that to start off his first year,’’ Smith said at his charity golf tournament in Lakewood, N.J. Thursday. “They have a great chance to compete for a title. But we’re still the marquee team in New York. A lot of people are counting us out just like last year . We have a lot to prove. We’ll come out with a lot of edge and hopefully put it to positive use on the court.’’
Smith had knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus and a chipped patella tendon last month and is expected to miss three to four months. As first reported in The Post, his play was affected in the Indiana playoff series because of fluid on his knee.
Now, Smith said he feels he is back to Sixth Man of the Year form, and the Knicks will be dangerous.
“My motivation is because how bad I played last year [in the playoffs],’’ Smith said. “I’ve seen moves the other teams made. It didn’t affect us unless I don’t play well. If I don’t play well, unfortunately we don’t win. If I play well, we won’t have to worry about anyone else.’’
Smith said he doesn’t know when he will return, but still hasn’t ruled out competing in training camp and playing in the Oct. 30 opener against the Bucks at the Garden.
The rehabbing guard had a slight limp yesterday and was unable to play in his golf event benefitting the J.R. Smith Youth Foundation.
“It’s still too early to tell from what I hear from the doctors but I hope so, I want to be there opening night,’’ Smith said. “I want to start training camp with the team.’’
Smith said he liked the Knicks offseason moves, including yesterday’s signing of point guard Beno Udrih that puts a finish to their summer moves.
“Beno is an unbelievable point guard,’’ Smith said of Udrih. “He played great against us last year versus Milwaukee. He’ll definitely help myself, Ray [Felton], Carmelo [Anthony]. He’s a pass-first point guard and can knock down an open shot.’’
Smith called Metta World Peace “an all out warrior’’ and Andrea Bargnani “one of the underrated guys in the league.’’
Smith also said he is ready to move on after his woeful series against the Pacers in the second round of the playoffs.
“I’m not going to make excuses why I played so bad,” he said. “I want to come back next year 100 percent and have a better playoffs.’’