With the Knicks and Nets set to face off for the second time this season, ESPN analyst Tim Legler analyzed both teams’ recent run of success with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: Will the Nets and Knicks both make the playoffs?
A: Yes, as poorly as both have started, outside of Miami and Indiana, the only two teams in the East that are remotely interesting are the Nets and the Knicks. They could make the playoffs interesting in the East if they have momentum going in because they have the talent to compete with Miami and Indiana. The other teams in the East do not.
Q: How have the Nets accomplished their recent surge given the injuries to Brook Lopez and Deron Williams?
AÂ : Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, to me, did not seem emotionally invested in the situation. There was some of that emotional baggage and they are starting to shed that a little bit and they are starting to play. I still think Deron is the key to the whole situation. He has to get back and play well.
Q: What’s been the difference for the Knicks recently?
A: They haven’t been taking as many bad shots. I used the word selfish to describe them many times in the beginning of the year because it just looked like guys were coming up the court with premeditated thought of shooting the ball. It looked like they started to realize, ‘Hey, we better get it going here. This isn’t just going to turn around.’ Also, getting Raymond Felton back is the key for them. When the ball is in his hands they are a safer team.
Q: How much credit does Mike Woodson deserve for the turnaround?
A: When a team’s playing as poorly as they were you find out how much a team connects to their coach. A lot of times teams don’t recover from that and that guy has to go because it’s obvious he lost the team. They’ve rallied so that tells me something. The fight they are showing proves to me he still has the team. I’ve been a Woodson supporter, but think there’s been a couple of times where he’s managed the end of games poorly and it cost them games.
Q: How important is it for the Knicks to get the J.R. Smith situation straightened out?
A: When he’s playing well he has so much to offer athletically to help (Carmelo) Anthony out. He’s a critical piece to the team, but he needs to be more efficient. The one thing about J.R. Smith: Not every player in the league can handle playing in New York and it doesn’t seem to affect him.