With Amar’e Stoudemire’s return imminent, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about the adjustment the Knicks will have to make. The former Knicks coach will call two of ABC/ESPN’s five Christmas Day games, the Lakers and Knicks at 3 p.m. (ABC) and the Clippers vs. the Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. (ESPN).
Q: Do you have any concerns about Amar’e Stoudemire fitting in when he returns?
A: If he accepts whatever role Mike Woodson gives to him they are even a better team than they are right now. He can have a huge impact. He’s a dynamic scorer, he can run, he’s a great screen-and-roll player. He can hit the 20-foot jump shot. The issue isn’t how good he is, it’s what the fit is.
Q: And what is that role?
A: Carmelo Anthony’s best position is the 4 and Stoudemire is a 4-5 and the Knicks already have a 5 in (Tyson) Chandler. So, it’s tough. Mike Woodson has to make a decision that’s best for the long-term as far as what gives them the best chance come playoff time. If he feels they need to be bigger and start Stoudemire, even if it means a short-term hit with Stoudemire figuring it out and Anthony adjusting, then he should do that.
Q: Do you think he would be more effective coming off the bench?
A: In my time watching the Knicks since Woodson became the head coach … they are an outstanding team since Anthony became the 4. I can envision a three-man rotation up front with Chandler, Stoudemire and Anthony working together, but not necessarily playing together a lot as far as all three of them at one time. When they surround Carmelo with three 3-point shooters it’s a tough cover no matter who is at the 5.
Q: Does Mike D’Antoni deserve all the blame he’s getting for the Lakers’ struggles since he took over?
A: In L.A. it’s about time to stop blaming coaches. They had an outstanding coach in Mike Brown and they let him go. They have a great coach now in Mike D’Antoni. It’s not the system, it’s not anything other than they’ve had poor health and they don’t have a lot of depth. … There’s a reason they pay Pau Gasol maximum money — he’s a lot better than their backups.
Q: Your old ESPN/ABC colleague Mark Jackson has the Warriors playing terrific basketball. How impressed have you been with that?
A: What’s amazing is the success they’ve had with the key injury to Andrew Bogut. … And David Lee to me, I mean he had numbers in New York, but these numbers are even more significant because he’s helping a team win. He’s absolutely carrying them inside with Bogut’s injury.