NEW ORLEANS — It was an eventful All-Star weekend for Carmelo Anthony off the court in New Orleans, where he declared he’d take “a pay cut’’ to re-sign with Knicks if he likes their roster plans. Anthony then made his on-court experience a memorable one by setting an All-Star Game 3-point record.
Anthony’s smile, which rarely has been seen this season, were in abundance in the Big Easy. The Knicks superstar admitted he would have a tough time enjoying All-Star Weekend because of the club’s 20-32 record, but he still had a blast — even if he fell short of winning the MVP. Kyrie Irving of West Orange, N.J., won it with 31 points and 14 assists.
Anthony scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half and hit a huge 3-pointer with 1:04 left to key the Eastern Conference’s 163-155 come-from-behind All-Star Game shootout victory over the West at New Orleans Arena. He finished with eight 3-pointers, breaking the record of six, co-held by LeBron James and Mark Price.
“It was a great feeling,’’ Anthony said. “I’ve been telling you it was going to be hard for me to try and enjoy this weekend but I found a way. The guys did a great job of just getting me through it and keeping me positive. Now it’s back to the grind.’’
“The first half of the season, we want to put that behind us. Now it’s time to go, time to make a push. It’s time to lock it down.’’
Anthony, who started in a frontcourt with James and Paul George, shot 8 of 13 from downtown. He has had his career year from the 3-point line — shooting a career-high 41 percent at the break.
His 3-point bomb with 1:04 left off an Irving pass sealed the win, giving the East a four-point bulge.
“The way he played, he’s having a great year and playing at a high level,’’ George said. “But it’s been overshadowed by how his team is going.’’
Anthony didn’t know about the record until a ballboy told him on the bench.
“One of the kids on the bench was telling me that,’’ Anthony said. “He tapped me on my shoulder and said I tied the record and I was like, ‘What record are you talking about?’ Obviously my teammates knew — they kept finding me, so all I had to do was just space the court and make the shot.’’
In the first half, Anthony didn’t see a double-team or even a single team as he launched 3-pointers — making 4 of 6 from downtown in the half. He also set up James for his best alley-oop slam of the night and James later returned the favor for his buddy on the break.
Melo’s wife, best-selling author La La, was in the Big Easy this weekend with Anthony and was already nominating him for MVP late in the first quarter but Irving’s second half was too good.