WEST POINT — Old center, meet the new center.
Knicks legend Willis Reed graced West Point and Knicks training camp Wednesday and stopped for a chat with the franchise’s likely new starting center, Samuel Dalembert. The 33-year-old Haitian is not trying to fill Reed’s immense shoes — but will attempt to fill those left by Tyson Chandler.
“We had a talk and he said what we need from you and expect is the rebounding stuff, being a presence, energy, things like that,’’ Dalembert said after the Knicks’ second day of practices at Christl Arena. “He’s a legend. It’s great to see a legend. For his size, the stuff he did was amazing.’’
Dalembert, the 6-foot-11 shot blocker out of Seton Hall, has plenty of size and has shown plenty of durability after early-career knee problems. But his stock leveled off, particularly after a nondescript season with the Mavericks, stuck in a crowded center rotation. Despite starting, he averaged 6.6 points, 6.8 rebounds in 20 minutes per game, and now is with his fifth team in five years.
“I’m feeling good — way better,’’ Dalembert said. “Last year I felt good too, but my time was limited. It was a lot of big men in the rotation. I did the best I could in the short period of time. I got plenty of energy if they want me to start. I haven’t been playing so many minutes the last three years. I’m fresh.’’
Dalembert also arguably has been the most injury-free center in the NBA since his 2002 knee surgery. Across the past 12 seasons, he has played 82 games four times, 65 of 66 games in the lockout season in 2012 and 80 last season with Dallas.
Reed gave his approval.
“I like him,’’ Reed said. “I watched him at Seton Hall. He’s an aggressive player, will be a good shot blocker and rebounder. He’s part of the reason the Knicks will be a better defensive team.’’
That could be taken as a slight to Chandler, shipped to Dallas in the Dalembert package before the draft. A former Defensive Player of the Year, Chandler didn’t live up to the part in 2013-14, especially as a rim protector and help defender.
Carmelo Anthony preferred not to compare Dalembert to Chandler.
“I don’t like to compare a lot of people,’’ Anthony said, “so I’ll talk about what Dalembert brings to the table right now. His presence, his defensive presence, the way he’s able to control the paint and alter shots, even if he don’t block a shot, he’s still there. He’s making a presence.’’
Hinting at Chandler’s first sign of regression, Knicks president Phil Jackson made a remark Friday, noting, “He played well for the Knicks over the years. I unfortunately wasn’t here. But he had a real tough year last year, there’s no doubt about it, by his own admission.’’
Dalembert’s only genuinely perplexing season was two years ago, when he fell out of favor with Bucks coach Scott Skiles after showing up late for a pregame meeting and played in just 47 games with a pile of DNPs. He also overslept and missed a workout last season and was suspended for the Mavericks-Knicks game.
“[Milwaukee] was a situation where you mature yourself,’’ Dalembert said. “I had the option of getting angry or cheering for teammates, do the work and come to practice. You don’t control the outcome of a coach.’’
Fisher has been all about defense since camp opened.
“He has talent on the defensive end,’’ Fisher said. “Timing, shot blocking, really being the anchor back there for us. We’re excited to have that ability here. He’s going to be a great asset for us, I think on both ends. He’s a good passer on the offensive end, better offensively than people give him credit for.’’
Dalembert is in the final year of his contract and the Knicks are eyeing a free-agent explosion in 2015 that could feature All-Star center Marc Gasol.
Even Reed predicts the Knicks will go after “a great big man.’’
But it wouldn’t be surprising if Dalembert plays close to 82 games in his new home.
“A lot of people just look at stats, a lot of times little things you do, energy you bring, inspiration you bring, people don’t understand that too much,’’ Dalembert said. “I got hurt in 2002, after that I promised to myself I will do everything in my power to be healthy.’’