NBA

Mavs coach heaps praise on Knicks’ Woodson

DALLAS — Unsolicited, Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle gave Knicks coach Mike Woodson the kind of public vote of confidence neither president Steve Mills nor owner James Dolan has been willing to do.

In a classy gesture in his postgame press conference after the Knicks posted a 92-80 victory on Sunday, Carlisle lavished praise upon Woodson.

“If I could make one statement about Woodson, I marvel at the job he’s doing, given all the ridiculous rumors about his job security and nonsense being stirred up in New York,’’ Carlisle said. ‘This is a man who is one of the top coaches in the league and a man of great integrity and substance. He proved that [Sunday]. They easily could have swept this road trip and this is supposedly a team that is dysfunctional. He has a great touch with that team.’’

When told of Carlisle’s remarks, Woodson was moved.

“I have a great deal of respect for Rick,’’ Woodson said. “It’s nice of him.’’

Woodson then nodded his head at a group of New York reporters and said, “I can’t control what these writers write.’’

Woodson’s job security has been less of an issue since Dolan told his players two weeks ago their coach’s job was safe, but said nothing publicly.


Metta World Peace will have his platelet-rich-plasma, blood-spinning procedure Monday on his arthritic left knee.

“You worry about it,’’ Woodson said. “At the end of the day, if he thinks this procedure will help him, he’s got to do what’s best for [him].’’


Woodson hopes Raymond Felton (groin) will return Tuesday against Detroit at the Garden. Felton has missed two weeks with a strained right groin.

Felton has appeared to have put on some weight since training camp and Woodson was asked if that were a concern, given Felton had his worst season in Portland during the 2012 lockout season, in part because of weight gain.

“His weight is going down,’’ Woodson said. “Which is good.’’