Talk about muddying his “Melo Culpa” and vexing Knicks management again.
Carmelo Anthony said it was Knicks owner James Dolan’s idea to post an apology on the Knicks’ Twitter account and asserted he didn’t say anything wrong to the heckler late in Tuesday’s blowout to the Blazers. That goes contrary to Wednesday’s tweet.
Asked after Thursday’s practice what led him to the apology, Anthony said: “The Knicks. It was a collaborative effort. We sat down and talked about it. Everybody thought it would be a good idea to send out an apology.”
Anthony said he spoke to Dolan about the issue and admitted it was the owner’s brainstorm.
“Yeah I talked to [Dolan],” Anthony said. “We spoke about it. We didn’t spend too much time on it. It was Mr. Dolan’s decision.”
Anthony told the heckler that Dolan was sitting nearby and to go ask him for “a refund” if he was so upset.
“I don’t think I said anything wrong,” Anthony said. “[The fan] said he wasn’t coming to any more games. I said: ‘Why are you talking to me about it? Discuss that with him [Dolan.] Don’t yell my name out. Wasn’t no curse words. He yelled, ‘Melo, you guys suck. I’m not coming to any more games.’ I said, ‘I think you should talk to the owner and get your money back.’ ”
However, Anthony made it clear he was not blaming Dolan for the Knicks’ predicament — a season-worst 12 games under .500 on the verge of missing the playoffs a third straight season as they play in Boston on Friday.
“Too many interpretations,’’ said Anthony. “If anyone wants to tie my words up, that’s exactly what I said.’’
Still, management’s thinking is to never engage fans in that manner. That Anthony brought Dolan into the picture appeared to rankle the owner despite their good relationship.
Sources contend Dolan considers rookie Kristaps Porzingis his new leading man. This apology backtrack probably won’t sit well as it came off as more immature than honest in still citing he did nothing wrong.
A spokesman for Dolan said he would have no comment for a second straight day.
Anthony still holds the cards with his no-trade clause, but his backtrack Thursday leads to the conclusion he was unhappy at being forced to apologize.
Anthony, though, said he’s still ready to lead the club out of the doldrums.
“I’m the leader of this team, I’m the leader of this franchise,’’ Anthony said. “At the end of the day, it falls on me. I accept that and take it on my shoulders. I put the weight on my shoulders. I walk with that weight through the fires. I’ll still continue to be the leader of this team.’’
“I don’t mind wearing the [black] hat,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t have any problem with putting the pressure on me and putting it on my shoulders. When it goes bad, it falls on me anyway. Anything that happens in New York, I get blamed for. That’s just the way it is. I accept that.”
After issuing the apology Wednesday, Anthony missed the Knicks’ most important charity event — their Bowl-a-thon at Chelsea Piers — due to “personal reasons.’’ Anthony had a promotional event in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, Anthony’s forced tweet read: “We are all frustrated by the team’s recent results — everyone, including me, my teammates, coaches and the fans. “Last night, a fan and I let those frustrations get the best of us. I should not have responded the way I did.”
The Post reported Wednesday that Knicks brass was not thrilled with Anthony’s exchange with the heckler. Interim coach Kurt Rambis said Thursday no Knicks player should engage in a back-and-forth with fans.
“It seems like it was something born out of frustration. I’ve never brought it up to this team,” Rambis said. “Players who have been in this league for any length of time know that’s something you just don’t do.”
Anthony explained his actions further: “It was one of those moments you’re getting booed, the team is getting booed. The fan is sitting right there behind me and you catch what he said, gets your attention and I said what I said. There isn’t anything wrong with that. It’s definitely frustration. As a player you don’t want to go through that and from a fan, you don’t want to hear that either.’’
Anthony did issue an apology for the 25-37 record and reiterated it’s “starting to feel’’ like last season, when the club finished 17-65.
“I don’t want to say be patient to the fans,’’ Anthony said. “We just got to do better. We apologize for not putting the effort out there and not winning.’’