Postseason hero Larry Johnson relives his iconic 4-point play, makes plea for current Knicks

As the playoffs get set to tip off Saturday against the Pistons, Knicks postseason hero Larry Johnson takes a shot at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby:Q: How often have you watched your iconic 4-point play in Game 3 of the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers?A: When I retired, I probably would watch it at least two or three times a week the first five, six years because it was fresh in my memory back then.And it was being shown a lot back then.

I live in Manhattan, so if I’m going out to eat, this and that, at least once a day I will get mention of it.Q: Take me back to that moment.A: I knew I was gonna get that ball.It was like me and four guards, Allan [Houston] and Spree [Latrell Sprewell] and Charlie Ward, I believe, and Chris Childs, and me.

And I wasn’t the best pick-setter on the team, to be honest with you.My picks were kinda weak.

So I was supposed to set two picks and pop back to the ball.Well, by me setting not-so-good picks, once I popped back to the ball, I was the one that was open.

They definitely were gonna take away Allan.And then I think it was Spree that I set a pick for, and they actually took the 3 away, so when I popped to the ball, I knew I was gonna get it, and I knew I was gonna make it.

Now the free throw was a blessing because that was the worst free throw I ever shot in my life as far as form, I just kinda chunked that ball up there.I don’t know how it went in.Q: When that shot went in with 5.7 seconds left, explain what was going on at the Garden.A: It shook a little bit to have that many people jumping up out of their seat at one time, man.

I don’t know where I was running to, don’t ask me that.I just thank God for Chris Childs.

He’s a point guard, so he kept a level head and said, “No, man, you got a free throw to shoot.”Q: How much of a difference can a rowdy Garden make for this team?A: Half the battle is wanting to play in New York.The lights are bright on Broadway.

You can say that ...