Jordan’s impact could last well beyond season
New Knicks starting center DeAndre Jordan has mastered the art of rebounding, blocking shots and deadpanning.
“I hate Kevin Durant,” Jordan said late Saturday night. “I just don’t like him. Terrible guy.’’
After the Knicks’ 16th straight loss, Jordan was responding to a question about his well-known relationship with Durant. When The Post asked him a few days earlier, Jordan let out a loud locker-room cackle.
It’s no secret he tried recruiting Durant to the Clippers in 2016-17. Knicks president Steve Mills was well aware of Jordan’s friendship with Durant when he obtained him in the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster 11 days ago.
Is it a coincidence the Knicks have already told Jordan they want him to be part of their future despite him being on an expring contract?
When asked if Durant would be a good fit in New York, Jordan said, haltingly, “I mean, he won two championships with the Warriors so I mean … .” He stopped and nodded.
When a s ke d once more about Durant, Jordan changed the subject to his favorite wines.
Jordan’s quirky personality is what the Knicks’ locker room needs with the team in the worst tailspin in franchise history and facing the nearly as inept Cavaliers (11-45) Monday in Cleveland, with the loser getting a little closer to getting a shot at Zion Williamson in the draft.
Knicks coach David Fizdale praises the 30-year-old Jordan at every turn for acting as the perfect mentor to their raw rookie secondround pick, 7-foot-1 Mitchell Robinson, who is on a surge. The Knicks also have young ce nte r Luke Kornet on the roster, but Fizdale doesn’t bring up his name anymore, even if he started most of January before hurting his ankle.
Being Mitchell’s mentor and potential Durant suitor may be fine with Jordan, but it sounds as if the big man from Houston doesn’t have a choice.
The 10-45, league-worst Knicks aren’t willing to waive the veteran so he can seek a spot with a playoff contender. The Knicks would have to do so by March 1 to make the twotime first-team all-defensive selection eligible for the postseason.
“I’m here,” he said. “I got traded here. They wanted me to be here so I’m excited to play here. That’s what I’m focused on. I’m not focused on anything else right now.
“The organization is great. They’re doing a great job of putting together a team of young guys who are learning how to play the right way. And Fizdale will bring the culture of winning.”
In his four outings with the Knicks, Jordan has already electrified the crowd with an array of super slams — including one Saturday when he took a feed from former Dallas partner Dennis Smith Jr. On a fast break, the ex-Mavericks point guard threw a pass off the backboard for the 7-foot southpaw, who is averaging 11 points and 12.3 rebounds as a Knick.
Robinson’s improved play has the organization more excited. In fact, team sources can see Robinson already trying to emulate Jordan. A more poised Robinson has put forth his best three-game stretch of the season, averaging 13 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks.
“Anytime you can help another player out, I’m learning that’s the beauty of our league,” Jordan said. “I had a lot of veteran guys who taught me things. It would be a disservice to them if I didn’t help other guys out.’’
A laundry list ensues when Fizdale is asked to detail what Jordan has already brought to the foulplagued Robinson, who admits he’s “feeling a little more patient.”
“Getting him to understand how to use his voice — that’s a big one,’’ Fizdale said after Saturday’s razorclose loss. “Mitchell was a quiet guy by nature. He’s getting him to bark and playing him in a stance more.”
Fizdale went on to add Jordan is making Robinson “more disciplined at the rim at being patient for his blocks and not chasing every little thing” and “to get rebounds out of his area.”
The new Knicks center calls the Garden fans “awesome’’ because “they know how basketball is played.’’
For now, that’s what Jordan has going for him as a Knick: playing in front of a fierce fan base that still packs the Garden, tutoring Robinson and — perhaps one summer day — convincing Durant this is the place to be.