NBA

Amar’e understands why Kerr chose Warriors

Amar’e Stoudemire said he and his Knicks thought they had Steve Kerr locked up to be their next coach, only to be left stunned when he did an about-face and took the Golden State job. But the veteran forward said he understands Kerr’s decision; now the Knicks have to make one of their own.

“We thought we were set on Steve, from the outside looking in,’’ Stoudemire said Thursday night. “I was at home with the family doing daddy duties, and I read the papers and watch the news – that’s where I get my info from – and we thought we were set on Steve and it didn’t pan out that way, so we have to see what’s next.

“For any of us, if you’re offered a job for more, in your hometown, where your children are growing up, most of us would probably take that job as well. It’s the nature of the business.’’

Stoudemire, who was at Cedar Lake in Manhattan for The Art of Shaving, said he wasn’t sure if Jackson was adamant about the new coach running the triangle offense. Stoudemire wouldn’t hazard a guess as to who Jackson would pick – and who’d actually take the job.

“That’s a great question. There are a few coaches out there who are soon to be coaches,’’ he said. “Not sure where we’re going with that, but we’ll see. My job is whatever coach comes in to be a leader for our ballclub, get us back to the playoffs and go from there.’’

The 31-year-old Stoudemire – whose averages of 11.9 points and 22.6 minutes were career-lows, other than his injury-shortened three-game season in 2005-06 – said his knees were fine and he felt great.

The veteran big man had said recently that his gut told him impending free agent Carmelo Anthony would return to the Knicks, but he wasn’t sure. And Thursday Stoudemire reiterated that nothing had changed since then.

“That’s exactly right,’’ he said. “I still don’t know. It’s a tough decision. That’s a tough decision for him, so we’re not totally sure yet. Right now I have no idea.’’