ATLANTA — Knicks rookie center Josh Harrellson, a member of Kentucky’s Final Four team last season, said he believes John Calipari has a great chance to win his first NCAA championship Monday, but is less certain on whether Calipari’s sideline theatrics will play well if he decides to cash in on a title by making a return to the NBA.
Because Knicks management is influenced by the super agency Creative Artists Agency, the team likely will consider Calipari, a CAA client, if he wants to return to the NBA after his disastrous Nets stint of 1996-99.
Harrellson, who had six points and three rebounds in nine minutes in the Knicks’ 100-90 loss to the Hawks Friday night, played two seasons for Calipari. Harrellson said Calipari, whose club faces Louisville in tonight’s NCAA Tournament semifinals, is well-suited for the NBA strategically, but less sure how his former coach’s motivation tactics would fly.
“The NBA is more laid-back coaching,’’ Harrellson told The Post. “You really don’t yell too much. You don’t get up and stomp your feet like Coach Cal loves to do. That’s what motivates guys to play hard [in college. When they see him getting into the game, that’s when they get into the game and play harder for him. It might work at this level, I don’t know. I’ve never seen an NBA coach do that. Maybe he’ll be the first one to do it if he ever comes back.’’
After former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni resigned on March 14 following a major clash with Carmelo Anthony, also a CAA client, Calipari tweeted his lack of interest. But speculation is if Calipari wins his first NCAA title, he could have a change of heart. Harrellson, a solid surprise for the Knicks this season after being a late second-round pick, had a rocky tenure with Calipari, getting in trouble with the coach over a tweet.
After a strong practice early last season, Harrellson tweeted, “Just amazing to me I can’t get a good job or way to go.” Calipari shut down Harrellson’s Twitter account for that season, but the burly 270-pound center emerged late in his senior year with a dynamic NCAA Tournament.
“My junior year was a struggle,’’ Harrellson said. “I was one of the last three on the bench and he played nine. He wouldn’t mention you in huddles. It’s kind of like he just forgot about you.
“After I tweeted that, it was totally different. He started paying attention, respected me and working with me and getting me better. That’s what I needed and was looking for, someone to motivate me. That tweet was the smartest, dumbest thing I’ve ever did. Without that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.’’
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Former Knick Stephon Marbury finally has a championship, after scoring 41 points Friday in the clinching game for the Beijing Ducks to win a five-game series over Guangdong, which had won seven of eight Chinese Basketball Association titles.
The Hawks’ Josh Smith said Knicks interim coach Mike Woodson has done an excellent job in tapping Anthony’s potentialand getting him inside and outside opportunities — something D’Antoni failed to do.
“Melo probably has the best offensive package in this league,’’ said Smith, who battled with Woodson early in his career in Atlanta. “You have to concentrate on him since he’ll get the ball most of the time.”
*** Rookie Iman Shumpert , out of Georgia Tech, visited the dorms Thursday, hanging out with former mates.
“Just enjoying the weather,’’ said Shumpert, who had a slew of college friends and ex-mates in the stands at Philips Arena Friday night.
marc.berman@nypost.com