NBA

Van Gundy: Knicks can’t force Amar’e back into flow

BOSTON — Jeff Van Gundy said he believes a new postseason award should be invented: “Most Unselfish Act for a Player on a Guaranteed Max Contract.’’

Van Gundy, an ESPN/ABC analyst and former Knicks coach, said Thursday that Amar’e Stoudemire would win the award hands down.

Stoudemire is expected to return if the Knicks make the second round, and it will be a coaching conundrum for coach Mike Woodson.

Van Gundy, who will work Friday night’s Game 3 and Sunday’s Game 4 of the Knicks-Celtics series, said Woodson has to show a careful balance and not “force’’ him into the flow.

No matter how much Stoudemire plays in his return, Van Gundy said he has been floored by his impeccable attitude this season.

“I’d like to say how impressed I am with how Stoudemire has handled the entire year,’’ Van Gundy told The Post. “There’s so many players in our league who would not have done it like he did. He took a step back, he took a demotion in a non-starting role and handled it with complete class and a team-first attitude. I think that made a big statement to everyone on the team.’’

Some Knicks fans are worried if the Knicks knock out the Celtics with ease, Stoudemire could mess up the chemistry, especially with early rust, especially with Kenyon Martin’s surge. The Knicks were just 16-13 in Stoudemire’s 29 games.

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“Incorporating him back in, I don’t think you can really know the adjustment until you see how he’s playing,’’ Van Gundy said. “One thing as a coach you can’t do is force it. He has to understand that as well. The whole question is not if he’s a really good player. He is. It’s trying to find the best fit for your team, and only Mike can determine that.’’

Van Gundy said he believes Woodson has made the right calls almost all season.

“In Coach of the Year, you can make a case for about 8-to-10 coaches and many never get consideration,’’ Van Gundy said. “Mike has been overlooked all year outside of New York. I’m not really sure why. He had a big injury to their highest-paid player. They had other injuries. He had to incorporate two guys into the rotation in Shumpert and Stoudemire and then Kenyon’s addition.

“Anybody who wouldn’t say he’s done a great job is missing out on how good he’s been since taking over there.’’

Van Gundy picked the Knicks in five before the series and he’s standing by it.

“I do really think if the Knicks play well [tonight], the Knicks will win,’’ Van Gundy said. “When you’re the better team, it feels good to know if you play well, you’ll win. Pierce and Garnett have to be great on the same night. They just don’t have the weapons they’ve had in the past.’’

* Point guard Pablo Prigioni says his ankle is just “75-to-80 percent,” but that’s OK with Woodson.

“[He was] 75-to-80 percent in Game 2,” Woodson said, “Seventy five-to-80 percent of Pablo is good enough for me. [I’m] not going to complain.’’

* J.R. Smith on his father Earl saying he planned to opt out of his contract: “If that’s what he thinks, that’s what he thinks. I’m focused on playoff basketball. It’s not summer yet.’’

* Paul Pierce on the Celtics’ chances in Game 3: “It’s good to be back home, but just because we’re playing at home doesn’t necessarily guarantee a win.’’