MONTREAL — Carmelo Anthony has been razor-sharp in the Knicks’ first two preseason games — lithe, quick, effortless. Now let’s see if Anthony can continue his groove Friday night with Amar’e Stoudemire by his side as the Knicks get set to battle the Raptors at the Bell Centre.
After sitting out the first two preseason games because of a bruised left knee, Stoudemire and his new low-post game will be unveiled. It also is the first chance to see if Anthony and Stoudemire’s games can coexist. The chemistry of their two “superstars’’ is not just important for the Knicks, it’s the key to dethroning the Heat.
“We’re doing great in practice right now, communicating, figuring it out,’’ said Anthony, averaging 20 points in 22 minutes on 44-percent shooting (57-percent from 3-point land).
This is the first full training camp Stoudemire and Anthony have shared as teammates. Both have pointed to not having one in their prior two seasons as factors in failing to mesh. Now they get four preseason games to make hay before the Knicks invade Brooklyn for the season opener Nov. 1.
“It’s been great, it’s been beautiful, to have a full training camp and go through preseason and build chemistry,’’ Stoudemire said.
“It’ll be nice,’’ coach Mike Woodson said. “Amar’e is anxious to getting back playing. He had the layoff with his knee. He’s had a good practice. He’ll be ready.’’
The last time Knicks fans saw Stoudemire on the hardwood his left hand was wrapped in bandages days after he punched a fire extinguisher.
Stoudemire will be playing a different game Friday night — with the ball with his back to the basket on the low block, thanks to spending two weeks on the ranch of former Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon learning post moves.
Woodson told Stoudemire in his exit meeting in April that he had to work on his low-post game.
“I’m very pleased, only time will tell,’’ Woodson said. “We got to put it to use. I’ve seen some of it in camp where he’s making some pretty nice moves in the low block. We got to carry it over in the real games.”
Stoudemire won’t guarantee immediate low-post dominance.
“We’ll see how the flow of the game goes,’’ Stoudemire said. “Back to the basket, I had to get comfortable. Hopefully I can present it [tonight].’’
The Knicks’ offense has been crisp the first two games, using good ball movement led by point guard Raymond Felton. If the cynic is concerned Stoudemire will slow down the offense, they forget the pick-and-roll connection he once shared with Felton.
“We’re opening up the court,’’ Anthony said. “We’re letting Raymond [Felton] do what he has to do to make guys better. And it’s only going to help us out, when Amar’e comes back, giving us another option.’’
Anthony, meanwhile, looks as golden as his new Olympic medal. While Stoudemire’s body is always sculpted, Anthony almost looks the part after dropping at least 12 pounds.
“I feel quicker, more powerful, feel like the game is starting to come easy,’’ Anthony said. “I know it’s only preseason. But for me, my focus now is let the game come easy.’’
* Friday night will be the Knicks first meeting against the Raptors starting shooting guard Landry Fields, who left as a free agent when the Knicks balked at matching the Raptors 3-year, $19 million offer. Fields, who started two seasons for the Knicks, is averaging eight points in 20 minutes, shooting 46.4 percent.
The Raptors’ Andrea Bargnani may not play because of a bruised calf, the same injury that is hindering Marcus Camby.