FORMER Knicks guard and ESPN/ ABC analyst Mark Jackson talks with The Post’s Justin Terranova about the NBA Finals, LeBron James and the greatest playground baller in the history of NYC.
Q: The Magic took advantage of the Cavaliers because of the size of Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Can the Lakers match up better?
A: The Cavaliers faced matchup problems at almost every position — not only size, but athleticism. But with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol on the Lakers, it’s a lot different. Jameer Nelson could be the wild card. He could cause problems that the other players on the Magic can’t. And the scoring ability of Bynum and Gasol, something the Cavs’ big men did not have, will force Dwight Howard to defend the whole game.
Q: What has Patrick Ewing been able to do to improve Howard’s low-post game?
A: With Patrick working with him every day, a guy that’s been there, done that, you can see how far Dwight has come with his post moves. Initially, that was the weakest part of his game, now he’s a guy that feels comfortable. Against Cleveland, there were times when he waited for the double team and was able to push the play away from it. That only comes with putting time in. You give credit to Patrick, but you give credit to the player, too.
Q: Stephon Marbury gets the headlines here, but another New York City point guard, Rafer Alston, is playing in his first Finals?
A: You have to give a lot of credit to Rafer. It’s great to see a New York City guy, who was the greatest playground legend ever, to tone his game down and run a show. There are so many guys that can’t transfer their street game to the NBA. And it’s awfully tough to change on the fly from one contender to the other (Alston was traded from Houston to Orlando mid-season) to run the point. He’s done an outstanding job filling in for Nelson, who was an All-Star and a great floor leader.
Q: How important is it for Kobe Bryant’s legacy to win a title without Shaq?
A: No. I think it’s great if he does, but here’s a guy who win, lose or draw is going down as an all-time great. It’s a heck of an accomplishment just to get to back- to-back Finals’ appearances.
Q: You played in a big market with the Knicks, but also in several smaller markets. Do you think that will be a factor for LeBron James in 2010?
A: It all comes down to wins. The biggest endorsement athletes right now — none of them are in New York. You win and everything else will take care of itself . . . If he goes to New York or anywhere else, it’s just because that’s where he wants to go.