SYMPATHY FOR THE MELO

Anthony comes out ahead when he’s only one left to answer questions

Phil Jackson has actually done more for Carmelo

Anthony than giving him a mega bucks contract with a no-trade clause. Jax’s decision to duck the media has turned Melo into a sympathetic figure.

This is an image Anthony has rarely enjoyed and is good for his brand.

Since Jax, er, Charley Rosen, wrote that column where he insinuated Anthony was no longer valuable to the team, seen in many media precincts as Jackson’s way of presenting the Knicks’ marquee player with an exit visa, it has been Melo front-and-center answering all the questions, not only about his situation but the Knicks’ poor play.

It’s impossible not to sympathize with a cat who puts himself out there, stands alone answering question after question. And while Anthony is a multi-millionaire, he is also now perceived as a player defending his rights against his “boss” who is trying to drive him out of town.

This perception is only heightened by Jackson’s decision to stay silent, lurking in the shadows and working behind the scenes. One of the major takeaways of Rosen’s column was he is nothing more than Jackson’s puppet. That might not be totally fair, but in the nonstop world of opinions, perception quickly becomes reality making the role of hero and villain easy to define.

While Jackson reserves his right to remain silent, he does have some support. Is it innocent or calculated? Like Walt (Clyde) Frazier .On Monday during Hawks-Knicks,

Mike Breen suggested Anthony and Jackson needed to clear the air.

Frazier disagreed. “I think the players should be more like Phil Jackson, just keep their mouths shut and just play ball,” Frazier said. “... He (Anthony) can’t respond. Phil Jackson didn’t say that (in the column). It wasn’t Phil Jackson, it was some guy that’s affiliated with him — supposedly.”

It doesn’t take a cynic to suggest Clyde was spinning for his former teammate. It’s also worth wondering if MSG Network has been greasing the skids for Melo’s departure even before the controversy surrounding Rosen’s column. Remember how MSG offered multiple replays of Hornacek turning his back on his star player, and walking away, when Anthony called for his ’mates to clear out so he could iso on the Magic in a game earlier this month?

MSG even opened its postgame show with the video. Let’s just say throughout most of his Knicks tenure MSG would have never gone out of its way to embarrass Anthony by replaying a moment like this over and over again. On Wednesday, studio analyst

Alan Hahn applauded Anthony for not ducking the media. But when it comes to Jackson, Gulag voices have nothing to say about the prez going underground. Maybe that’s why Jackson won’t comment on Anthony’s future with the Knicks. Maybe he figures there are enough media types out there doing his work for him, eventually making the player’s life miserable and driving him out of town.

While also making Anthony an even more sympathetic figure in the process.

HONEST SIMMS

Even at his advanced age, Phil

Simms, who works Sunday’s AFC title tilt on CBS with Jim Nantz, has become a big target for Twitter assassins and bloggers.

Considering how long Simms has been on top of the analyst heap, this is not surprising. A big target attracts big rips or at least some nicks, scrapes and mosquito bites. Yet for all the criticism Simms takes (some is even valid), it’s overshadowed by his greatest strength.

And that is his honesty. That cannot be said about all of his peers. If you trace his TV career path from the very beginning, there is no NFL analyst, since the league became a TV ratings juggernaut, who made the transition from player to media type, faster than Simms.

He had no problem criticizing players and coaches from the get-go. His fearless nature only increased as he moved up the broadcast ladder. Instead of “protecting” his turf, he continued speaking his mind, no matter who it offended.

If something goes down Sunday, a controversy or bad call, Simms won’t keep you in the dark. He will be quick to run his mouth, which is all that really matters.

GAME SHOW A-ROD

While we had hoped Alex Rodriguez would be hosting a Science Network show called “Fun With Chemistry,” his new CNBC venture “Back in the Game” will have to do.

Actually, this is a vehicle that should work for A-Rod. It’s a show where athletes with financial problems receive advice from A-Rod and others. We can only imagine the “advice” A-Rod would have given these players when they were active and struggling.

Player: “I need a bigger contract. I need to up my offensive production.”

A-Rod: “Here kid, go see this doctor.”

Seriously, though. On Fox, A-Rod is guided by a script. The bet here is the CNBC show will be highly scripted too with little spontaneity. In that format, Rodriguez will do just fine.

Think game-show host.

MET-LESS FAN

Lost in the recent predictable Valley of the Stupid discourse was a rant out of left field from the normally mildmannered

After a caller asked Eddie C. if Mets players would be allowed to appear for interviews on WFAN shows this season, the veteran FAN Mets beat reporter went off on the organization. Coleman explained the Mets’ answer to their FAN boycott is always more about WOR-AM (Mets flagship) suits driving it because they don’t want the players appearing on a competing station that carries the Yankees.

“That’s nothing more than pure hogwash,” Coleman bellowed. “The Mets hide behind that.”

Coleman said Mets suits are behind the FAN boycotts. “Fix it (Mets). Do it,” Coleman said. “You are missing a marketing opportunity. Our listeners would like to hear from Mets players.”

Coleman ended the rant saying: “Maybe it will change... Oh, the stories I could tell.”

What stories?

MIKE ALMIGHTY

Prediction: Of all the NFL mouths working Sunday’s AFC/ NFC Championship Games, Fox’s Mike Pereira will be the most important.

For in the shadowy, unpredictable, inconsistent world of NFL officiating, chances are Green Bay-Atlanta could easily come down to a controversial call or a confusing rules interpretation.

That’s when Joe Buck will call on Pereira, the rules analyst, to clean up the mess.

In NFL TV circles (or at least at Fox) Pereira has God-like status. Yet, it’s become almost comical how much stock is put in this mere mortal, even when he’s off camera

Buck: “Mike Pereira is nodding his head in approval.”

Buck: “Mike Pereira just gave the thumbs up.”

What’s next? Buck asking: “Mike, can I go to the bathroom?”

SOUND BYTES

Giants reporter Paul Dottino must own a Way Back Machine. How else could he guarantee (On FAN) that if Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie had not been injured early in the Wild Card game, “Aaron Rodgers would have NEVER completed that Hail Mary Pass at the end of the first half.”... Michael Kay and Don LaGreca were not kidding. They could not figure out why Donald Trump and Woody Johnson ‘would give up their great lives,” including “going to cocktail parties” to become President and Ambassador to the UK.” Even funnier was their micro-analysis on how Woody’s departure would affect the Jets organization. Yes, incredibly funny stuff. Oh, we forgot they were not kidding... Brandon Marshall made history on the latest episode of Showtime’s “Inside the NFL.”

After catching a pass from Simms in the studio, Marshall proclaimed: “I just caught my first postseason pass.”