Carmelo Anthony staged his own mini-press conference Wednesday night by his locker with two dozen, instead of two hundred, reporters engulfing him.
This wasn’t the way Anthony envisioned preparing for a key Garden game versus the Pacers. Anthony, in the minority, still thinks the Knicks have a shot at the playoffs, and they proved their increasing mettle with a gritty 92-86 shutdown of the top-seeded Pacers for their seventh straight win. Anthony was resilient and brilliant — an efficient 34 points, five assists and three steals. The Knicks received a standing ovation with 30 seconds left.
One day after Phil Jackson proclaimed he wanted Anthony in orange-and-blue for the long term at his Garden press conference, Anthony reacted enthusiastically. He sounded like a guy with no intentions of leaving New York.
The $60 million lavished on Jackson is already being earned … if Anthony’s words are taken at face value.
“It’s good to hear that,’’ Anthony said before the game. “It’s a blessing and honor to hear that. I was hoping I would be part of the future plans. I never once said I wanted to leave. The only thing I said was I wanted to dabble and try free agency out and opt out. … I’m excited about the opportunity to work with Phil.’’
As Jackson ducked into a black SUV after the game, he said of Anthony: “He was good, moved it around, got us some 3-point shots at the right time, played good defensively and we got our first win here.”
It was only 17 days ago Anthony stood in front of his locker at United Center, talking about a kid’s poster which said: “Melo to Chicago.’’ The young Bulls fan had brandished it behind the Knicks bench during another blowout loss.
“Good sign,’’ Anthony said as he left the locker room somberly and met in a family room with Joakim Noah. Good sign for the kid. Bad sign for Knicks fans.
That was before the news broke about owner James Dolan’s secret dance with Jackson. That was before the Knicks rushed back into the playoff race. That was before a six-game winning streak reached seven Wednesday, with Jackson getting a standing ovation from the Garden throng. Jackson sat 10 rows back at midcourt, with a female friend, and watched the Knicks hold the Pacers to 35 first-half points with a “Dee-Fense’’ out of the 1972-73 season.
Anthony was asked about Jackson’s comment Tuesday that Melo “has another level to go to.’’ A dig?
“I love it,’’ Anthony said. “I don’t think it’s anything bad he said. I think I’ve gotten better as a player and for him to say that, we’re on the same page. I feel like I can take the game on a whole new level that I haven’t taken to.
“I could use him as a mentor to get to that next level. I’m not at a stage [where] I’m sold on this or that. I want to get better — with that hopefully winning a championship. I’m all about enhancing my game. If Phil can help that, I’m all about that.’’
No morbid talk from Anthony Wednesday. No waffling from Jackson on the radio after his press conference, lobbying Anthony.
“I think the best opportunity is to stay,’’ Jackson said on ESPN Radio. “There hasn’t been many players who really have wanted to leave. Financially, it’s a better opportunity. I also think the ability to win in New York is such a lure and magnet for players to be in a place where the game matters, the fans matter, they care about the game. All those things make New York a great place for Carmelo to stay. He’s grown accustomed to living here. He’s gotten into that beat. I think he realizes that. There’s strong hope and strong belief for him to stay.’’
The timing is not splendid, with the Knicks’ run being overshadowed . That’s the only downside of this Jackson hiring.
“It’s a great situation on one hand,’’ Anthony admitted before tipoff. “Unfortunate situation on the other hand. I got to sit here and talk about that rather than focus on basketball.’’
Jackson met with the players in the locker room after the afternoon walk-through, said a few words and shook everyone’s hand, introducing himself, telling them to focus on the playoff run. Anthony and Jackson haven’t had their sit-down.
The Rockets, as The Post reported last week, have interest. The Bulls, the Clippers and maybe even the Lakers, too. All those clubs, save the Lakers, have to find a way to get under the cap or force the Knicks into a sign-and-trade.
Perhaps Anthony’s ego is so large, he’s reluctant to share the glory with Jackson. If the Knicks become major title contenders under the Triangle, Jackson will get the lion’s share of credit for turning Anthony into a Bill Bradley-style team player.
Don’t count on Anthony’s ego getting in the way. Phil’s back as a Knick for five years.
I think Melo’s next.