Former Knick Emmanuel Mudiay raising his game with Jazz
Former Knick Emmanuel Mudiay always said hello to Spike Lee whenever he saw him in the hallways or on the Garden court. He always knew when Lee was in attendance.
Like everyone else, the Jazz point guard was stunned the Knicks superfan is feuding with owner James Dolan and couldn't help smile when asked about it.
Upon his first return to the Garden on Wednesday after being a Knick for a season-and-a-half, Mudiay told The Post, "I don't know too much about it, but knowing Spike, I think he's a great guy. I think the problem will get resolved hopefully. I know he's a diehard Knicks fan. I hope it works out for both sides.''
Lee and Dolan are fighting over which entrance he's allowed into at the Garden. Lee, who only attended two games during this trying season, has been permanently banned from entering the employee/media entrance. Lee has responded by saying he won't go to another game this season.
Mudiay, who scored just two points in Wednesday's 112-104 Jazz victory is in a quieter place now in Utah. The Knicks never made an offer to him when he became a free agent, even though he started most of last season.
Emmanuel Mudiay goes up for a layup during the Knicks' 112-104 loss to the Jazz.Corey Sipkin
Knicks GM Scott Perry was intent on signing Elfrid Payton, and Mudiay signed for the minimum to be Mike Conley's backup with the Jazz.
Mudiay scored 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting when the Knicks visited Utah on Jan. 8. He looks meaner and leaner.
"The strength and conditioning staff is really good here,'' Mudiay said. "And it's also the food we eat. That's not a shot at the Knicks. I know they got a new chef this season.''
When the Knicks visited Utah, the former Denver lottery pick also cited his mental game having improved under Jazz coach Quin Snyder.
"My IQ has improved," Mudiay said. "I thought I was a pretty OK, smart player until I came here. When I came here, [Snyder] took me to another level."
Asked if he has any regrets no longer being a Knick, Mudiay said, "I got to see a million familiar faces. It felt good. But I'm happy here.''
Center Mitchell Robinson, on a hot streak, sat out the Utah game with a hamstring strain. That's a tough blow as Robinson didn't get a chance to face Utah's premier shot-blocker, Rudy Gobert.
Kevin Knox, who missed Tuesday's practice with a contused left leg, played 19 minutes and scored two points on 1-of-5 shooting.
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