The one person the Knicks should be trying to impress doesn’t seem so impressed with the Knicks’ expected hiring of legendary coach Phil Jackson to their front office.
In fact, Carmelo Anthony admitted he was in the dark regarding the team’s pursuit of Jackson and thought it would be best executed after the season.
A source told The Post the Knicks expect the Hall of Fame coach in the fold any day. The Post reported in Sunday’s editions Jackson was “real close’’ to agreeing to join the Knicks front office and return to the organization that drafted him in 1967.
There are ongoing discussions about his exact role, but The Post reported Knicks president Steve Mills would retain a similar position.
“I don’t even know what’s going on with that,’’ Anthony said late Saturday night after the Knicks beat the Cavaliers for their third straight win. “Nobody came to me about that. Until that time comes, I’m not going to know what’s going on.
“It’s hard to say at this particular moment. If anything, it’s not going to be right now. I’m pretty sure they’d try to wait for the offseason and then we’ll deal with all that stuff.’’
With Jackson living in Manhattan Beach, Calif., it’s possible he wouldn’t start the job until after the season ends. Jackson reportedly could have a title of president of basketball operations.
Anthony and the Knicks, who host the Sixers Monday, now find themselves back in a playoff race after gaining three games in four days. They trail the eighth-seeded Hawks by 3 ½ games with 18 to play.
Anthony’s failure to give Jackson an endorsement was notable, if not troublesome, considering he will be a free agent July 1. Jackson was critical of the Knicks roster in 2012 after he surprisingly wasn’t offered the team’s coaching job. The Knicks promoted Mike Woodson to interim coach and never contacted Jackson, who owns 11 championship rings as a coach.
In the interview two years ago with HBO’s “Real Sports,’’ Jackson called the roster “clumsy.’’
“Well, they don’t fit together well,’’ Jackson said at the time. “[Amar’e] Stoudemire doesn’t fit together well with Carmelo. Stoudemire’s a really good player. But he’s got to play in a certain system and a way. Carmelo has to be a better passer. And the ball can’t stop every time it hits his hands. They need to have someone come in that can kind of blend that group together.’’
They are blending together better now. The Knicks have dealt with enough distractions this season and now are finally showing a touch of chemistry and urgency. The Tyson Chandler-Stoudemire-Anthony frontcourt has started the past four games. Stoudemire came off the bench the last two seasons because of his minutes cap/injuries.
“It’s taken me a while,’’ Woodson said of finding the right mix. “I’ve been shuffling all season based on injuries. That’s what we do as coaches. You got to keep trying things. This lineup has been working well the last few games.’’
As for Jackson, the Garden still won’t comment on its pursuit. The club is holding a press conference Monday in Westchester to announce its new D-League team will be in White Plains next season. Some Knicks executives will be on hand, but Jackson isn’t expected.
Former Knicks coach and league disciplinarian Stu Jackson, who now works for NBA TV, said it would be a boon to land the former Bulls and Lakers coach, even if he won’t be on the sidelines. The Post has reported Jackson needs a second knee replacement, ending his coaching days.
“When you start with the Knicks, you’re looking for that wow celebrity factor that Phil Jackson obviously brings,’’ Stu Jackson said. “But he brings so much more — knowledge he has not only about what it takes in terms of winning but personnel, coaches, team culture. It’s a win-win for the Knicks and their fans.”
The Knicks will extend second 10-day contracts to Earl Clark and Shannon Brown Monday. They were signed after the Knicks bought out the contracts of Beno Udrih and Metta World Peace after the trade deadline.