NBA

Stoudemire: ‘Not a big fan’ of T-Mac

PHOENIX — Free-agent-to-be Amare’ Stoudemire said yesterday he has held a grudge against Tracy McGrady for once blowing him off when Stoudemire was in high school.

Stoudemire, however, claimed it would not be a deal breaker in signing with the Knicks this summer if McGrady is around.

“I’m not a big fan of Tracy McGrady — as a person or as a player,” Stoudemire said.

Stoudemire’s revelation came before the Knicks were routed by the Suns, 132-96, last night at US Airways Arena to fall to 26-46 — with the tragic number of playoff elimination down to one.

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A bewildered McGrady denied the incident took place.

“I think he’s messing with you,” McGrady said.

Approached again, Stoudemire held firm. “He didn’t remember? I’m not surprised he doesn’t remember that,” Stoudemire said

Though McGrady scored five points during a 2 of 11 shooting night, Stoudemire scored 18 points in 27 minutes, making 12 of 15 free throws. Before tip-off, as they shook hands, McGrady appeared to say to Stoudemire: “Are you talking stuff about me?”

Stoudemire spent high school living in Polk County, near Orlando, where McGrady grew up and then starred for the Magic.

Stoudemire said he approached McGrady during a scholastic football game in which McGrady’s brother was playing. Stoudemire claimed he got the cold shoulder when he asked McGrady his thoughts on jumping from high school to the NBA — the path McGrady traveled.

“I tried to reach out to him in high school to get advice on going from high school to the NBA,” Stoudemire recalled. “He pretty much didn’t say anything. If a kid from my hometown came up to me and said, ‘Amare’, I’m thinking about going from high school,’ I would tell him college is important, education is important. I didn’t get any of that from McGrady. I asked him about the jump, he pretty much didn’t say anything.”

McGrady said his brother never played football, and he doesn’t recall attending a game. McGrady said he recalls speaking to Stoudemire on the phone to give him advice.

Stoudemire also took a dig at McGrady regarding his rehab from microfracture surgery on his left knee, which the Suns power forward underwent 41⁄2 years ago.

When asked about McGrady’s struggles, Stoudemire said, “It takes a lot of self-discipline. I’m not sure if everyone has it. When you have microfracture, you have to really control your diet, eating, workouts. You have to work out extremely hard, and really discipline yourself. That’s an attribute a lot of folks don’t have. I was blessed to have it.”

Stoudemire is having a blazing second half to put himself arguably as the best big man available. The Knicks prefer Chris Bosh, according to a source. LeBron James also prefers teaming with Bosh.

Stoudemire said he felt it was a “50-50 chance” of re-signing with the Suns. A person close to the Suns wonders if Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni and Stoudemire could ever reunite because of rumors Stoudemire backstabbed him on D’Antoni’s way out for not teaching defense.

Suns coach Alvin Gentry said he feels Stoudemire is committed to staying in Phoenix.

“There was nothing we thought that would equal trading him,” Gentry said. “He’s playing great basketball. He’s happy here. I don’t’ want to put words in his mouth but I think he’d like to remain here and end his career here.”

Stoudemire said having a star point guard in Steve Nash is the most compelling reason to stay. Stoudemire will have sweet options — joining Dwayne Wade in Miami or Derrick Rose in Chicago. Both teams have cap space. The Knicks? Well, he can pair up with James, too, and potentially turn the Knicks into a title contender.

“I’m pretty sure we’re all going to talk about what’s going to happen this summer,” Stoudemire said. “We’re all good friends. Myself, LeBron, Dwayne, Chris Bosh are good friends. I’m pretty sure we’ll have conversations.”

Stoudemire lived in Newburgh during grade school.

“New York is a phenomenal city. I was raise there for part of my childhood years,” Stoudemire said. “I have a great connection to the family there. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’m totally open to something.”