Espn analyst Jon Barry breaks down the NBA playoffs with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: How have the Spurs adapted from a defensive team to an offensive one this season?
A: It’s Gregg Popovich. You have to change with the times, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. They have got younger and more athletic around their three guys. And Popovich is not afraid to play them. A lot of times you get to the playoffs and they say you have to shrink your rotation, and he’s certainly not done that.
Q: A year ago many questioned the chemistry between the Thunders’ Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Why has that not been as much of an issue this season?
Jon Barry
A: It’s all predicated on how well Westbrook plays. He’s so much more in control than he was last year at this time. He just has a better understanding of when to pick his spots, and when he does that he has a chance to take over a game like we saw against the Lakers in Game 4.
Q: Last year the Heat rolled to the NBA Finals. Do you think getting tested by the Pacers will help?
A: It is good, but they are going to need Chris Bosh back. I don’t think they can win a title without Bosh. They don’t have the interior depth, something they haven’t addressed in two years, without him. Fortunate for them is this game is not about big men anymore. Of the teams left, Tim Duncan is the only post player left who plays with his back to the basket.
Q: Do you give the 76ers a chance in Game 7?
A: The Celtics should prevail, but they are like a box of chocolates: You never know what you are going to get. They go through offensive lulls, they lose their defensive intensity at times. They are just really inconsistent. Paul Pierce is really banged up. The 76ers did a great job to get here.
Q: What do the Knicks have to do in the offseason to get to the next level?
A: If you are going to keep Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire on the same team you have to figure out some sort of system to get these guys together. It’s simple as that. Jeremy Lin is not going to get to play like that again. Mike D’Antoni is gone and that’s not the way it’s going to be. So that’s a huge question. They need some perimeter shooting. They are on the right track. They started to believe under Mike Woodson and understanding that defense wins. There’s a lot of good pieces in place, but there’s a lot of work to be done for this to be a championship team.
jterranova@nypost.com
Gregg Popovich, NBA playoffs, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh, Jon Barry, Carmelo Anthony, NBA Finals, Mike Woodson, Tim Duncan, Espn
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