This is exactly what Knicks owner James Dolan envisioned when he traded for Carmelo Anthony — greatness. This is what Dolan envisioned when he held Landry Fields out of that deal — a dynamic teammate for Anthony.
Desperate for a victory, a healthier Anthony returned from a two-game absence and breathed life into a dying season as the Knicks clobbered the woeful Pistons from start to finish in a blissful 113-86 victory at the Garden.
Anthony, in his most efficient, selfless performance of the season, scored 25 points, made 9 of 14 buckets, was 2 of 3 from the 3-point line, made all five of his free throws and dished out six assists.
Anthony made everyone else around him better, including Fields, who had his season’s best game with 18 points, on 7-of-10 shooting, 4 of 6 from the 3-point line with five steals.
The ice-cold Knicks finally sizzled, shooting 60 percent from the field and moving the ball to the tune of 25 assists. Anthony was back and magic happened at the Garden, where the Knicks got a standing ovation in the final minutes. Dolan finally could be proud of coach Mike D’Antoni’s speed-ball offense instead of wondering if a coaching change is eventually in order.
But this was against the 4-19 Pistons, with the real test coming tomorrow against the mighty Bulls to start a back-to-back-to-back segment that Anthony said he isn’t sure he will play in all three games.
“I don’t know. I just came back,’’ Anthony said. “Something we have to talk about. I feel good right now. Tomorrow might be another story.’’
Afterward, the embattled D’Antoni sounded ready to write poems about Anthony, who had shot 34 percent in his prior 10 games before shutting it down to rest various ailments, including his wrist and ankle. The Knicks moved to 8-13, having entered 1-9 in their last 10.
“A lot of it is Melo,’’ D’Antoni said. “He was well. He looked good. We play a lot off him, and he makes it easier for everyone else and draws a lot of attention.’’
If Anthony maintains this efficiency and team play, his decision to sit out games against Miami and Houston will look just fine. Maybe his mind needed a break as much as his ankle.
“My thing was, see what I could do,’’ Anthony said. “My legs felt great out there and I felt refreshed. Taking five, six days off helped me out big time. I can feel my explosiveness back. I got my pop back.’’
Anthony hit his first two shots, including a corner 3-pointer in the opening minute, and the Knicks never trailed.
“We played well as a team,’’ he said. “We shared the ball and made shots. Everybody played with confidence from the first play of the game.’’
Fields, an early Rookie of the Year candidate last season, had lost his way since Anthony got here. But last night he was back to the speed demon who inspired Spike Lee to wear his No. 6 jersey. When Fields is this good, the Knicks are a different team.
”I think it’s just a confidence thing and understanding what this team needs to be more successful,’’ he said.
D’Antoni said without Anthony, the Knicks have needed too much from Fields.
“I was getting frustrated because I knew Melo was hurt and we had no way around being able to attack otherwise,’’ D’Antoni said. “It’s something when Baron Davis comes back, it will help. Then you’re making Landry and [Iman] Shumpert do too much, you’re asking too much of people, and they get rattled.’’
In the first half, Anthony made an unselfish feed to Fields on a three-on-one fast break when he could have taken it himself to the basket. That’s the kind of teamwork and teammate the Knicks need from Anthony.
“He made some shots tonight,’’ Anthony said of Fields. “He was aggressive attacking the basket. We need that from him.’’
This also was a strong night from center Tyson Chandler, who got on a roll early and had 17 points, eight rebounds, shot 5 of 6, mostly on dunks off pick-and-rolls. He also was 7 of 10 from the free-throw line and his 70 percent field-goal percentage is ranked as most efficient in the league.
“Relieved,’’ Chandler said. “Our willingness to pass, the way we found the open man became contagious.’ ’’
Amar’e Stoudemire (15 points) made a bizarre remark when asked if he was looking forward to Anthony’s return, saying he only could worry about the ready players and said he’s “out of the loop’’ on the Anthony saga.
By the end of the night, everyone was happy to be in Anthony’s loop.