NBA

Carmelo’s all about the ring

PORTLAND, Ore. — Carmelo Anthony insists he loves New York, the whole area. But he loves winning more.

And that was the message the Nuggets superstar sent to reporters yesterday in Denver. Wherever his best chance is win a ring — be it in Manhattan or Brooklyn or Denver — that’s where he wants to be. And he thinks having Chauncey Billups with him will go a long way to achieving it.

“Going to a bigger market and all that is cool, but if I feel like I have a chance of winning a championship in Denver in the next five years, then I’ll sign the extension,” Anthony told a host of media, some who suggested last night could represent the star’s final home game in Denver. “It really doesn’t matter. I just want to win. At the end of the day, that’s all I care about.”

But Anthony also said, “Having Chauncey would help my chances (in winning a championship).”

And Billups is part of the three-team proposed deal sought by the Brooklyn-bound Nets who have pursued Anthony since September. League sources continue to maintain a complex three-team blockbuster to fetch Anthony and Billups from Denver plus Richard Hamilton from Detroit could be agreed upon this week. Among the parts the Nets would surrender are Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy and two first round picks.

The Nets would need Anthony to sign the three-year, $65-million extension Denver proposed in June. They have been confident all along if they can get Denver to agree then Anthony would follow. But caution reigns with a deal of this magnitude, involving 14 or more players.

Anthony said he wants assurances that wherever he is, there is a commitment to winning. He suggested Denver’s uncertainty is unsettling.

“If I feel I can’t do it here,” he said. “I don’t think this is the right thing to do. “It’s just the uncertainty in the future of the organization.

“I’m going into my ninth season,” Anthony said. “I have no time to waste. . . . I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel in my future. That light is a championship.”

Some on the scene yesterday said Anthony appeared agitated how his “ultimate dream” quote about playing in New York was presented in an ESPN interview.

“After the whole interview I did, 20 minutes, the only thing that gets out — I said that it’s anybody’s ‘ultimate dream’ to go back home and play,” the Brooklyn-born Anthony said. “If anybody told you they didn’t want to do that, they’d be lying. That’s somebody’s ultimate dream.”

*

In Detroit, Hamilton did not play a second straight game. And DaJuan Summers sat one out. Both are targeted to come to New Jersey if megadeal goes through.”

*

Coach Avery Johnson had said the Nets would sign a 10-day contract player. And yesterday, a familiar name surfaced on an Internet post as a player of interest: Jarvis Hayes.

Only Hayes knew nothing about it.

“Haven’t heard anything [from the Nets],” Hayes said from Atlanta where he is working out, weighing his options. “I’ve got a couple things overseas but nothing [with the Nets].”

Hayes has some offers in Europe and China and has drawn some NBA interest, but he said he is simply reviewing all opportunities.

*

In three straight games before Friday, Brook Lopez had scored a total of 35 points. Then against the Lakers, he equaled that total. It made Kobe Bryant walk up to him at the foul line.

“He was just asking me why I haven’t been playing like this all year,” Lopez said.

One of the NBA’s most puzzling cases this season has been Lopez who through 40 games, has registered only one double-double. One. Or 32 less than he managed all last season. Now with 32 in last night’s 96-89 loss to the Blazers last night, he has back-to-back 30-pointers.

“I talk to my older brother, Chris, a lot. We text a lot,” Lopez said. “He just told me to play like it was last year, be aggressive, and look for my shot when I can get it.”

And so Lopez again partied like it was 2009-10. But he still needs to rebound: he had three.

*

Devin Harris was asked about Anthony trade rumors — again.

“I don’t think about it. That’s not something I can control.” And then he was asked specifically about Portland where he is rumored to eventually land. “I have no thoughts right now. I’m just focused on New Jersey.”

*

The Nets (10-30) reach the halfway point tomorrow at Golden State in a 4 p.m. Eastern start.. . . The Blazers had 17 offensive rebounds. . . . New Jersey shot just 12 free throws, season low by a Portland opponent.