Ex-partner has fond Andariese memories

Knicks radio man Mike Crispino was there toward the end as John Andariese’s last broadcast partner and remembers the voice as much as the man.

Andariese, who retired in 2012 after being a Knicks broadcaster since 1973, died Monday night at 78 after a bout with dementia. Crispino grew close with “Johnny Hoops,” his tennis buddy on road trips.

“He was a voracious reader, knew everything that was going on,’’ Crispino told The Post. “I loved listening to his voice. Having his voice next to mine, it felt right, felt like a great sound, mostly because of him. His voice was so well known, so New York. That’s what a Knicks announcer should sound like: John Andariese. It made it easy for me to do what he had to do. It was the sound of a classy, dignified New Yorker who knew basketball like the back of his hand. Fans respected the authenticity of what he sounded like.’’

MSG Network produced a memorial montage of Andariese’s life for Tuesday’s Pacers-Knicks telecast. The former Fordham star worked 12 years on MSG Network as a TV analyst, mostly as Marv Albert’s sidekick. Crispino had Mike Breen and Walt Frazier as guests on the radio at halftime to discuss the New York broadcasting legend.

Crispino, who attended Andariese’s Hall of Fame ceremonies in 2014, last saw Andariese at the U.S. Open in September.

“He was a very good tennis player — a great athlete,’’ Crispino said. “We played everywhere. He’d invite me to Forest Hills, where he was a member, and that was a thrill.”

It was tough for Crispino to witness Andariese’s declining health over the past few years.

“He wasn’t well,’’ Crispino said. “A guy that was so active and athletic, it was tough to watch him decline physically. It leaves a huge void for Knicks broadcasters who were his friends. David Stern loved him. Guys like that are sorely missed.’’