It goes without saying Metta World Peace wishes he stuck it out in New York and had still been a Knick when Phil Jackson rejoins the franchise as president at Tuesday’s Garden press conference.
Instead, the former Ron Artest asked for a buyout following the trade deadline and will be home in Beverly Hills when his former Lakers coach is in New York.
The Queensbridge product played four seasons with the Lakers, two with Jackson, and knows the triangle and Jackson’s Zen-like philosophies by rote. World Peace said Jackson changed him and will change the Knicks’ current philosophy. He said he hasn’t ruled out a return to New York next season, but that’s Jackson’s call now.
“He changed a lot of views on myself,’’ World Peace told The Post Sunday. “One of the hardest things to become is a player who sacrifices. He showed me the benefits of sacrificing. Right before I came to the Lakers, I was averaging 16, 17 shots per game. After that, it was all about sacrifice and my numbers went down. I was the same player, but he showed me the benefits of sacrificing to win a title.’’
World Peace was a key member of the 2009-10 championship Lakers team — Jackson’s 11th title as a coach.
“I know he really enjoys winning,’’ World Peace said. “He enjoys it more than anyone. Some coaches are obsessed about winning, but I truly believe he just enjoys it at a different level than most people. It’s easy to win playing for a guy who actually enjoys winning. He feels it’s something that’s destined to happen.’’
One question coach Mike Woodson doesn’t know yet is how much the Zen Master will impart his principles as president, or will he wait until next training camp when he could have a new coach to mold.
“Phil’s not going to change,’’ said World Peace. “Phil’s going to have fun winning. When Phil gives you a book he’s not just giving you a book. He’s trying to get you locked in. He’s preparing you for a tough playoff. He knows how to push people’s buttons and get people tuned in to the right frequency. When he coaches, he wasn’t hands-on every second. He gave us the leeway to win. It wasn’t pressure. It was leeway.
“I don’t know how he’ll be as president but he’ll give everyone the leeway to win.”
There’s belief Jackson will want to hire a coach who specializes in the triangle. Perhaps he’ll want players used to the triangle such as World Peace.
“It took me a few months to get it,’’ World Peace said. “It’s the energy that’s different. The energy and the rhythm I wasn’t accustomed to. I was used to playing at my own pace. You have to learn to play in spots, take advantage of certain situations and be ready for a big moment. I would only take five shots in some games, 20 in others. Phil showed me the benefit of patience. And I had a lot of memorable games in the playoffs.”
Because of Jackson, World Peace said he started studying Buddhism.
“I totally believe in a calm demeanor, calm spirit and at the same time he wants you to have a warrior mentality,’’ World Peace said. “You can’t walk through a playoff battle or war and be vulnerable. You have to have some type of force. Phil was able to bring force in you and keep you even-keeled. It’s weird. I’ve always been told I had a problem with emotion. But he was able to play with emotion and be relaxed. He taught me that. I got lucky with Phil.’’