TORONTO — After two rim-rattling dunks in Philadelphia Wednesday night, Amar’e Stoudemire looked up at the crowd filled with Knicks fans, howled, and flexed his muscles.
Mike D’Antoni is gone, but Stoudemire, his chief supporter, is back. And Stoudemire vowed he will stay this good.
“I felt great,’’ said Stoudemire. “It’s not going to change. It’s a matter of getting back to my rhythm. This is my game, who I am — an aggressive, explosive player. Always have been. It’s not going to change.’’
During this glorious 5-0 stretch under the helm of interim coach Mike Woodson that has made the Knicks Atlantic Division-title contenders again, Stoudemire has flourished while Carmelo Anthony’s game — at least shooting-wise — has declined.
There have been false alarms before, but Stoudemire is averaging a team-leading 16.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and shooting 57.4 percent during the five-game Woodsanity surge. Just like old times — or at least just like last season.
With the raging-hot Knicks (23-24) facing the Raptors at Air Canada Centre tonight with a chance to get to .500, Stoudemire’s defense has become more ferocious and timely. His block from behind on Elton Brand late in the fourth quarter was arguably the game’s biggest momentum play of the magical win that has them three games out of the division lead.
Asked about his animation in Philadelphia, Stoudemire said: “It was a very, very important game. From a leadership standpoint, I wanted to make sure I was very vocal, leading by example, knowing the magnitude of this game. So I was able to get my message out there.’’
When Woodson took over for D’Antoni, he said he would count on co-captains Stoudemire and Anthony in crunch time and hold them accountable for the locker room.
Anthony’s attitude — compared to before Woodson took over as coach — has been terrific since winning a power struggle with D’Antoni. But Anthony’s shot has not been terrific.
After shooting 5 of 15 against Philly to make him 26 of 67 (38.8 percent) during Woodson’s reign, The Post asked Anthony if his wrist was bothering him. Anthony had a sprained wrist issue for a good part of January that forced him to sit out a couple of games.
The star forward indicated he’s not 100 percent. Occasionally a trainer will spend time flexing his wrist before a game in the locker room.
“I really don’t know, probably,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t feel anything in the game. Maybe it’s something minor.’’
Anthony’s shot-making woes haven’t deflated him on defense or while making the extra pass. On a key tic-tac-toe play with Jeremy Lin during a game-sealing 8-0 run, Anthony made a quick no-look pass to Stoudemire for an easy dunk.
“The last five games, it’s been the little plays that have been getting us going,’’ Anthony said. “The momentum plays, getting loose balls, getting on the floor and playing the hustle game.’’
Stoudemire has been dominant. His weight loss of 10 pounds after the All-Star break is paying off after his lockout-extended offseason of rehabbing his back.
“My strength is back and my timing is back,” Stoudemire said. “I didn’t play contact basketball for six months, and that’s the most I’ve ever been away from the game ever.’’
After Stoudemire’s rejection of Brand, Tyson Chandler leaped from the bench in celebration.
“I love it,’’ Chandler said. “He’s a lot more comfortable now.’’
“Amar’e’s got his legs back, his spark back,’’ Anthony said. “He’s played great the last five games. Everyone’s feeding off his energy, especially offensively. He’s more powerful out there going to the rim.’’