Seraphin eager for fresh start
Tired of unpredictable playing time in Washington, 6foot10 center Kevin Seraphin felt it was time for a change.
Seraphin averaged 15 minutes in 79 games last season for the playoffbound Wizards, but for the first time in his career, didn’t start a single game. And the 25yearold didn’t see his role increasing in 201516, leading the Frenchspeaking big man to accept the Knicks’ offer of the $2.8 million room exception on Aug. 6.
“It’s just like I’ve been there for five years, I know how it goes,’’ Seraphin told The Post after the Knicks’ first practice at West Point. “I didn’t want to be in the same situation as last year where I don’t play all the time and I never know. Sometimes I feel I do everything right and I don’t get to play all the time. At one point, I was like I needed somewhere I can play.’’
Derek Fisher and general manager Steve Mills convinced Knicks president Phil Jackson that Seraphin was a better fit as a backup center than adding combo guard Alexey Shved, who was eager to accept the Knicks’ $2.8 million exception.
“I thought with the Knicks I had a good feeling with the coach and GM, good vibes and good feelings,’’ said Seraphin, a native of French Guiana “I was like: ‘I’m excited to be here.’ ”
Asked if he felt underappreciated in Washington, Seraphin said he wasn’t the only Wizard who felt uncomfortable with playing time.
“For sure, I thought that,’’ he said. “But it’s just time to move on to the New York Knicks.’’
Leaving a playoff team for a squad coming off a 1765 record raised eyebrows. However, Seraphin said he believes the Knicks can make the playoffs.
“The team is better than people think,’’ Seraphin said. “Now the goal is to go to the playoffs. That’s what we play for. If we put everything together, we have enough equipment to get to the playoffs.’’
Knicks legend Willis Reed sat next to Jackson during the first practice. ... Fisher said Carmelo
Anthony wants to complete the twoadays, but the Knicks may not let him because of his knee surgery last season. “I expect him to do everything unless we tell him not to,’’ Fisher said. “He’s very excited to touch the ball. I don’t expect he wants to hold himself out. But we’ll do the best to manage it.”