NBA

New Garden, new policy: Knicks hang division banners

There was a new sight at the Garden on Friday night.

As part of the transformation of Madison Square Garden, the Knicks broke from tradition and hung up a 2012-13 Atlantic Division banner in celebration of last season’s accomplishment.

Previously, the Knicks had not honored their other Atlantic Division winners from 1971, 1989, 1993 and 1994. But now all five banners are up in the rafters. The Knicks broke in the new-look Garden on Friday night with an 85-83 losss to the Bobcats in their preseason finale.

There was a movement to change the tradition last season after the Knicks knocked off the Celtics, who had won the division the prior six seasons. Their co-tenants, the Rangers, had banners for division winners, and the Garden wanted consistency.

But there’s more to the story: During the final phase of the arena’s renovation, the new aerial bridges necessitated the resizing of some of the existing banners and created more room in the rafters.

The change in policy got coach Mike Woodson off the hook. The morning before the Knicks clinched the Atlantic Division in April, Woodson said he was eager to put up another banner in the rafters, not realizing the existing standard for division winners. He ended up getting his banner after all.

“That’s awful nice of them to do that,’’ Woodson said. “Was my first division [title] as a coach. Players had a lot to do with that. I’m happy to be here for the ride.’’

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Amid the transformation, Patrick Ewing’s actual locker sits up in the ninth-floor seats in an exhibit. Ewing was at the Garden on Friday as new assistant coach to the Bobcats’ Steve Clifford.

“I think it’s great,’’ Ewing told The Post. “It’s very nice. Someone showed me a picture [but] I’m not going up there.’’

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The Knicks improved defensively Friday after giving up 105 points in Green Bay, Wis., to the Bucks, as they held Charlotte to 85 points. Woodson railed at the D after Green Bay.

“Defensively I thought we did a pretty good job,’’ Carmelo Anthony said. “We were very aggressive.’’

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Metta World Peace got the loudest ovation when he checked into the game in the first quarter, his first game at the Garden as a Knick. World Peace continued his hot hand from the 3-point line, finishing with 12 points, making 3-of-7 from downtown. … The DNPs went to Cole Aldrich, Chris Smith and Toure’ Murry. … The Knicks will hold practice at the Garden on Saturday, during which they will get the transformation tour.