Larry Johnson will do a number of things in his new post as Knicks basketball operations/business representative, but serving as an advisor to ailing Amar’e Stoudemire as he battles a disk injury could turn into one of the more vital.
Johnson, who had remained close with owner James Dolan since his retirement in 1999, battled major disk issues that eventually ended his career.
LJ, in his first basketball job since retirement, will work in player development, community relations and marketing for the Knicks. Stoudemire, who has a bulging disk that could require offseason surgery, is out indefinitely.
“What I would like to do is I’d like to talk to Amar’e and hear his symptoms,’’ Johnson said. “No question, everybody knows my back was the main reason I retired. Amar’e is a little different than me. His body is different than mine.
“I had to keep the weight off. I was a country boy from Texas and I love eating. I had to keep the weight off and that really gets your back, but Amare is a big, tall guy. I’d love to sit and talk to him, hear his symptoms and see what he’s going through.’’
Johnson has lived in Dallas since retiring and will work closely with assistant GM Allan Houston to learn front-office duties. He said he wants to work with the Knicks’ younger players.
“As far as helping these youngsters, that’s a given,’’ said Johnson, who sat on celebrity row for yesterday’s 100-99 win over the Bulls and received a standing ovation from the Garden crowd when his new position was announced. “That’s easy.’’
After predictions Isiah Thomas would rejoin the Knicks after his dismissal as coach of Florida International, here comes LJ, a key part of the glory days of the late 1990’s, back to the fold instead.
“Jim and I have grown with each other,’’ Johnson said. “He’s like a friend. He and I are real close. Maybe former players or whomever would say some things (about him), but that’s not my opinion. Once I approached him three weeks ago, he was ecstatic. He was excited about bringing me back.’’