Sports

5 questions for … Tim Legler

Tim Legler is a NBA analyst for ESPN, who finally gets to go back to work now that the 149-day lockout is over. He spoke to The Post’s Brett Cyrgalis about the new CBA and the upcoming season.

Q: How excited are you to finally get back to work?

A: I’m pretty excited. For everybody that covers the sport and is involved, there was anxiety about what would happen. I think it’s going to be a great year, it’s going to be a very memorable season. With more games in a short period of time, each night is going to matter a little bit more, and there are more teams in the league with a legitimate chance to contend.

Q: After labor stoppages in other leagues, fan interest has fallen off. Do you think that will happen in the NBA?

A: I think there’s going to be a ton of excitement, if not more than a normal season. If you’re honest about people’s interest, the first week or two is an exciting time, with rookies and guys who changed teams. But then there’s a lull in the NBA season. Then we really pick it up, that’s when we become the primary focus, after the All-Star break. With us starting on Christmas Day, there will be more excitement kicking off on such a grand stage.

Q: Although there are still some details to be ironed out, do you think the players or owners got the better of the new CBA?

A: I think the owners have to be very happy with the entire deal. But I don’t think the players lost across the board. The owners have to be pretty darn happy with the close to 50-50 split (of Basketball Related Income) when they were getting 43 percent. That’s an enormous win. There are a lot more details still to be finalized, that to me was the biggest issue.

Q: How do you think the “Amnesty Rule” is going to play out this season and through the life of the CBA?

A: I think a lot of people don’t really understand how that works. Some people think a guy making $18-20 million, who gets banged up or is not the player he used to be, a team can get rid of and use that money for someone else. Teams have the ability to get him off the roster, but they have to pay him and it hits the [salary] cap, but they don’t have to pay the punitive luxury tax. The interesting part is where are these guys that get released going to end up. There are big names and big-ticket guys, still getting their salaries by those [original] teams, willing to sign for the veterans’ minimum and compete for a championship because they’re still getting that $18-20 million from somewhere.

Q: How do you think the Knicks will be this season?

A: I think they’re definitely going to be in the mix in the East. It’s a very intriguing team, and an important year for Carmelo [Anthony] and A’mare [Stoudemire]. They need to lead a little bit more by example and show more pride on defensive side of the floor. If they don’t’ take that a personal pride in that locker room, I don’t see that team winning playoff games 110-106. You win playoff games 86-88, and that going to take a changing approach by leaders. There’s no more excuses. Now they’ve got some pressure on them.