What Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to do to take it to the next level

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dennis Smith Jr. has already had his conversation with Nate Robinson, who was a great champion with the Knicks. Slam-Dunk champion, that is. Robinson was a three-time winner.

“Nate The Great” was never charged with leading the Knicks out of the wilderness of what will be six straight seasons without a playoff berth.

That task has fallen to Smith, 21, the key tangible piece of the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster trade to Dallas on Jan. 31.

Now Smith has to look the part and make his way from Saturday’s All-Star dunk contest to the main event one day. Barring the free-agent signing of Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker to play point guard, the Knicks privately hope that will be part of Smith’s future.

Thursday was a start. Smith led the way to the Knicks’ first victory since Jan. 4 with an efficient game — 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting with seven assists, breaking a brief schneid.

Afterward, coach David Fizdale called on Smith to get into better condition because the Knicks need him to be “The Man” — unlike in Dallas, where Luka Doncic was that.

“I do [agree],” Smith said. “[Fizdale’s] placing a larger load on me, larger than I ever had in Dallas in terms of responsibility. That’s what I want. That’s what you need to be one of the great players in this league.

“I’m taking the challenge head on. It is a lot more. I got to get into the paint. My minutes are up here, way higher than they were in Dallas. It’s an adjustment. Any challenge I’m taking head on. I can be in better shape, for sure.”

In his seven games with the Knicks, Smith is averaging 17 points and six assists, but shooting just 42.7 percent. As explosive as he is getting to the rim, Smith needs to shoot better from beyond the 3-point arc, lessen his turnovers and have more energy on defense.

“He’s just been up and down,’’ Fizdale said. “A big part of it is — like I told him — I think he can get in a lot better condition.

“He came to us, he was only playing [28] minutes a night in Dallas and he just came off being away from the team for about a week [on sabbatical]. What he’s being asked to do now is defend full court and get in the paint and make plays for everybody. So I’m raising up his load and he’s playing more minutes. I just think for him it’s just a matter of getting in great shape so consistency can hit.”

Smith will get his chance after All-Star Weekend. There is no indication he will lose his starting position to either Emmanuel Mudiay or Frank Ntilikina, who are slated to return to action when the All-Star break ends with Friday’s game versus Minnesota.

Mudiay, who will be a free agent after the season, started 32 straight games before going down with a shoulder injury three weeks ago. That gave Ntilikina a chance. As his luck would have it, the Knicks’ 2017 lottery pick strained his groin after two starts.

The irony is Ntilikina was the point guard president Steve Mills agreed to take over Smith in the draft just 20 months ago.

“It would’ve been nice to be drafted by the Knicks,” Smith said in Atlanta. “They were the eighth pick. I fell to the ninth. Whatever situation, I’m going to take full advantage of it. Some stuff is out of your control. Now I’m a Knick. I’m super excited to be here, and I’m going to give my all for the team.”

But Smith said patience is needed. Being the floor general of a new squad isn’t easy.

“I’m still learning [the plays],” Smith said. “It’s going to take time. This group is a different group for me because last year and even this year, I played with a bunch of veterans. Now with guys my age, sometimes I see mistakes they make [that] vets would get on me about. It’s just an adjustment. I’m all in for it. There’s things I can help them as well. I think it’s a beautiful process.”

As a rookie, Smith was in the dunk contest and didn’t make the finals. He has been in consultation with famous rapper friend J. Cole from his hometown of Fayettville, NC — which is just 180 miles from Charlotte.

On Saturday, Smith faces Hornets high-flyer Miles Bridges, the Hawks’ John Collins and Queens product Hamidou Diallo of the Thunder.

“Nate talked to me [Wednesday] about the dunk contest — more well-wishes,” Smith said. “Just well wishes. [J. Cole] is helping me with ideas. I got a couple of pretty cool dunks. I’ll see how they judge it. I’m just looking to have some fun Saturday.”

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