BALTIMORE — Carmelo Anthony is really “coming home’’ Thursday night and finally acknowledged he has got more Baltimore in him than Brooklyn blood.
Anthony admitted it’s a sore subject in Baltimore that fans around the country started associating him more with Brooklyn, where he was born.
The Knicks face the Wizards in a preseason game Thursday night at Baltimore Arena — the first time he has played a pro game in the city. The Wizards staged the game to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arena and of course chose Anthony’s Knicks as an opponent. Anthony likely will participate in a ceremonial opening tip.
Anthony moved from Brooklyn to Maryland at age 8 and wears a “West Baltimore” tattoo on his shoulder. West Baltimore is about 15 minutes from the downtown arena. It’s also known as the most hardscrabble part of town.
“I was born in Brooklyn, I lived Brooklyn until I was 9, but where I really learned my life skills is in Baltimore,” Anthony said. “That’s the city that raised me. Brooklyn will always be in my blood and heart, but Baltimore is the city that definitely raised me.’’
During Anthony’s Knicks debut in February 2011, the Garden blared “I’m Coming Home’’ during pregame ceremonies. It ticked off Baltimoreans.
“Absolutely, they don’t like that,’’ Anthony said. “They know my story. They know where I was born and know where I was raised at.’’
In 2006, Anthony donated $1.5 million to open the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center in Baltimore. And he returns every summer.
“Hearing from some family, friends, I really didn’t understand it, the energy in the city, until I got the phone calls and texts,’’ Anthony said. “Everybody’s talking about how excited they are — for the game to be back in Baltimore and for me to play in front of that crowd.
“The connection will always be there. A lot of people back home, I have friendships, relationships still. I know their family, know their kids. It’s a tight-knit community. Everybody grew up with another.’’
Anthony said he was shocked when he heard the Knicks were playing there.
“I thought it was a joke,’’ Anthony said. “I’m excited about it, just for the opportunity. No telling when I’ll ever get another chance to play in front of that crowd.’’