NBA

Knicks’ Anthony rehabbing sore elbow

MR. HARD HAT: Carmelo Anthony takes a look last week at the progress of the work being done of the transformation of Madison Square Garden. (MSG Photos)

Carmelo Anthony has been secretly rehabbing a bum right elbow at the Knicks practice facility, and has been prohibited from lifting weights and any on-court work, including shooting, since the season ended in late April, The Post has learned.

Anthony is suffering from elbow bursitis, a condition he had earlier this season in Denver. It flared up with the Knicks in late February when he talked about the possibility of having a drainage procedure but added he “doesn’t like going under the knife.”

Anthony’s Westchester rehab would end because of the expected lockout tomorrow — one of the major behind-the-scenes detriments of NBA commissioner David Stern’s work stoppage. Anthony would no longer be able to talk to the coaching or medical staff or have elbow treatment at the practice facility.

Toney Douglas, who had rotator cuff shoulder surgery after the season, is in the same boat, and his rehab also would take place without Knicks supervision.

After his second game as a Knick on Feb. 25 in Cleveland, Anthony said his right elbow felt numb in the fourth quarter.

“When I shoot it’s hard for me to follow through after a shot, it’s just painful,” Anthony said.

Anthony proceeded to wear a shooting sleeve the following game and donned one off and on the rest of the season. Anthony did not complain about the elbow during the first-round series sweep vs. Boston when he shot 37.5 percent and missed badly on a last-second 3-pointer that would have won Game 1.

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Anthony got in his last look at the Garden transformation last week, receiving a guided tour of the indoor construction site.

“It was crazy to see the Garden like that with the building gutted out,” Anthony said. “I can’t wait to see how it will look this fall. I think our fans will be amazed.”

Anthony met construction workers and signed autographs for them. Starting tomorrow, Anthony — and all Knicks players — also would be locked out of the Garden, which has been shut down to the public since April 25, the day after they were eliminated by the Celtics.

Anthony walked around the new concourses and new suites. There are about 1,000 construction workers inside the Garden daily, according to a Knicks official.

The lower bowl will be completely transformed with an expanded lower-level concourse, new restaurants, clubs and even views of Manhattan, the official said.

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Once the expected lockout comes, Knicks officials will be forbidden from contacting their players or speaking to the media about players or the lockout.

It would make an odd time for the Knicks to hire a new president and introduce him at a press conference. Today is Donnie Walsh‘s final day as president and Glen Grunwald becomes interim president. Grunwald’s contract lasts until October, and he likely will hold the fort at the very least through the lockout.

Walsh’s front-office staff — including John Gabriel, Mark Warkentien and Misho Osterovic — have their contracts expire on July 31, but they are expected to be renewed later next month, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. A Grunwald-Warkentien-Gabriel triumvirate could lead their free-agent push, whenever it may be.

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Coach Mike D’Antoni‘s assistants — Herb Williams, Dan D’Antoni, Phil Weber and Kenny Atkinson — also have their pacts expire today but should have new deals in place by tomorrow. D’Antoni has one year left on his deal and has sought adding one more. It would seem logical considering he is being asked to hire a defensive assistant who would be more apt to come on a two-year pact.

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Forward Derrick Brown got his qualifying offer today, remaining restricted. The Knicks can match, but won’t if he is offered a two-year deal because they want to protect their 2012 cap space.