AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Pistons coach and GM Stan Van Gundy scoffed at the notion the Knicks are a young, “developing” team not ready to make the playoffs during a trademark pregame rant that seemed aimed at recent remarks by Knicks coach Derek Fisher.
Fisher said recently on ESPN Radio he wouldn’t be “disappointed’’ if the Knicks failed to make the playoffs because “We’re a developing team with a ton of new players. There are not a lot of elite teams that are depending on rookies to carry the day. So we have to be reasonable about who we are and where we are and accept what is and not get caught up in what we should be and allow other people to define what our success is.”
Van Gundy doesn’t see the Knicks as “developing.’’ He didn’t name names, but the Pistons leader seemed to be responding to Fisher.
“They’re a good team, a veteran team,’’ Van Gundy said before the Pistons’ 111-105 victory over the Knicks. “They got [Kristaps] Porzingis, but when all healthy, they put four veterans around him. It’s a smart, veteran team around a real talented young guy.
“I laugh a little bit when I see them referred to as a young, developing team. I wasn’t aware Robin Lopez, Carmelo Anthony, Jose Calderon and Arron Afflalo are that young. I read that. Wow. I guess in society at large, guys in their 30s are young.’’
Van Gundy also ripped the media for “making up 98 percent’’ of trade rumors, adding that “99.9 percent of the stuff out there never happens.’’
However, even though he stated the Pistons have not looked to trade backup point guard and impending free agent Brandon Jennings, he admitted their trade-deadline strategy could be amended with a new injury to shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who strained his groin in Boston on Wednesday and has had an MRI exam.
“We don’t know what his status is,’’ Van Gundy said. “When we have an idea on how long he’ll be out, it could affect what we think.’’
TNT’s Charles Barkley won’t back down from his guarantee the Knicks will make the playoffs but said, “They need a point guard.’’
Barkley admits he’s been “surprised’’ rookie Jerian Grant hasn’t made a bigger impact and feels if they can steal Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague, they’re on their way.
“The one thing that surprised me was the point guard,’’ Barkley said on a TNT conference call promoting All-Star Weekend. “Thought the Grant kid would be playing a lot more. I hear there are rumors they could get Jeff Teague, [then] the playoffs are a lock. I love Jeff Teague. You put him with Carmelo, Porzingis, they would make the playoffs because that’s the one weak spot they have to fix in the next year. I thought the Grant kid would be the answer, but he’s coming out a little slower. They need a point guard. It’s going to be close, there’s a bunch of early girls there at 7-8 [seeds].’’
Fisher may get a break Friday as his sparring partner, Matt Barnes, was listed as questionable for the game with the Grizzlies because of a sore hamstring.
In the first meeting in Memphis, three weeks ago, peace prevailed as Barnes didn’t so much as look at Fisher. Regardless of whether Barnes plays, the Garden fans may be more focused on Memphis PG Mike Conley, who missed the first meeting with knee soreness.
The Knicks and Nets are expected to battle for Conley when he becomes a free agent. He is a lefty who plays defense and is a leader — holding a lot of attributes dear to Fisher.