Carmelo Anthony doesn’t think Kristaps Porzingis knows what he’s in for, in terms of the scrutiny and pressure he will face in his debut season with the Knicks.
To ease the 7-foot-3 Latvian rookie’s transition, Anthony declared he wants to be his “big brother’’ because he “feels bad for him.’’ That’s a largely different sentiment from rumors Anthony was upset over Phil Jackson drafting Porzingis.
“As far as him going into this season, I kind of feel bad for him,’’ Anthony said during Monday’s Media Day in Tarrytown. “There’s so much pressure on him. This guy hasn’t played one minute in the NBA. I’m going to try to be a big brother to him and try to take the pressure off. There’s going to be so much pressure he’s never experienced yet. He’s 19 years old, first time in the NBA. This is new to him. A newcomer in New York. That’s tough. I don’t think he knows what he’s getting himself into. I have to be that role for him.’’
Anthony said he wants to be a “sounding board’’ for Porzingis.
“I’ll be there for him,’’ Anthony said.
Porzingis, who turned 20 in August, was selected No. 4 in the draft by the Knicks, a move met by derision by the fans who had read he was a project needing a couple of years to develop. But in Las Vegas summer league, Porzingis showed enough promise that he will vie for the starting power-forward job in training camp.
Anthony reportedly was disappointed by the pick because he wanted a player further along in his development. Anthony repeatedly has denied that.
“We got him at No. 4,’’ Anthony said. “What I think is a bit irrelevant. I’ve shown everybody that I support him. KP and I know our relationship. That’s all that matters. It doesn’t matter what someone else might speculate.’’
The 31-year-old Anthony’s recovery from major knee surgery and Porzingis’ development are keys to the Knicks’ fortunes. Porzingis may need a few years to reach prominence, and that may not overlap with Anthony’s prime.
“My window is open,” Anthony said. “I don’t think it’s closing.”
Porzingis already is picking up some NBA tricks from Anthony.
“We played a lot of 1-on-1 for four weeks straight,’’ Porzingis said. “I was trying, as I played against him, showing me all these moves, I was trying to learn from it – how to do this and that. I’m trying to learn as much as I can from him asking him questions. I’m trying to get as much information as I can.’’
Porzingis says he’s won their 1-on-1 battles “a few times,’’ but Anthony has the decided edge.
The Post reported in early September that Porzingis had gained 11 pounds since weight training began in August. Porzingis said he’s still at that mark and feels he’ll play at that weight – around 242 – this season. He said he hopes to eventually be able to guard centers, but admits: “I still need to get stronger.’’
If Porzingis shows he’s not ready to start, Anthony indicated he could be the starting power forward a la 2012-13.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be at the 4 [more], especially the makeup of the team,’’ Anthony said.
Anthony is the last player left from when Jackson took over, and he believes that shows the Zen Master’s belief in him.
“That’s a good thing, I hope,’’ Anthony said. “To see the process Phil has taken from when he came to now and me to be that one guy still here – you guys don’t write about it – but I think Phil believes in me because I’m still here. Being the centerpiece of this, I respect that. And I don’t want to let him down.’’
Anthony couldn’t have been less bold in making his predictions, coming off a season in which the team posted the worst record in franchise history at 17-65. The Knicks hold their first practice Tuesday at West Point.
“To be quite honest, I don’t have any expectations at this time,’’ Anthony said. ““We can write whatever story we want to write – whether good or bad. It’s good not have expectations. It gives us a chance to have a fresh start and get an identity the way we want it. And it starts tomorrow.’’