GAME OF CHICKEN

Source: Melo plans to wait out Jax

Carmelo Anthony has told confidants he may decide to wait out the old Zen Master, according to a source.

As the feud between star player and star president escalated Tuesday, Anthony was telling friends he may stand firm on his no-trade clause at the Feb. 23 trade deadline and see what Phil Jackson decides to do with his career.

“He still feels it’s his team and still loves it here,’’ the source said of Anthony.

Anthony has talked about how important his family is when deciding whether he will stay. The source said his wife, La La, is a big proponent of not moving on, even to the Clippers, despite having a second home in Los Angeles.

In Jackson’s Tuesday tweet, he endorsed an anti-Anthony column suggesting he’s not “a winning superstar’’ and compared him to NBA bust Michael Graham. Jackson tweeted in part: “I learned you don’t change the spot on a leopard with Michael Graham in my CBA daze.”

Jackson has an opt-out clause in his contract at the three-year mark. There’s conflicting reports whether that means his March 19 anniversary or this season’s end. It is also unknown if Jackson would get some form of buyout package if he exercises the clause.

After another Knicks loss, Anthony, obviously still perturbed, issued a few good one-liners, taking issue with the leopard comparison.

“I definitely wasn’t googling who Michael Graham was,’’ Anthony said. “I was upset he got the animal wrong. I’m not a cheetah. I’m black jaguar.

“I’m done asking why. I don’t need an explanation. I’m beyond the point of it bothering me.”

Anthony was first the recipient of Jackson’s criticism of his ballstopping ways in December, then Jackson’s confidant Charley Rosen penned a vicious piece saying he has “outlived his usefulness’’ in New York. Anthony still believes Rosen’s article had Jackson’s fingerprints all over it.

“Anybody would get tired,’’ Anthony said. “If you went to work every day and had these spats about you, you’d be tired. Any human being at some point would start feeling it. But you can’t cry over spilt milk.”

Anthony wouldn’t tip his hand and reveal whether this escalating feud would make him more likely to waive his no-trade clause.

“I’m in that building every day until something is said to me directly I’m not going to feed into it,’’ Anthony said.

Anthony denied Jackson has even attempted to change his game. When asked if he still trusts Jackson, Anthony said, “I did say that once. I trust the process.’’

Yahoo Sports reported Anthony’s determination to remain with the Knicks is hardening in the wake of Jackson’s folly.

“[Jackson’s] underestimating Melo’s willingness to stay,” a Yahoo source said.

Coach Jeff Hornacek is stuck in the middle and worries it could be “a distraction,’’ but said he didn’t find it necessary to talk to Anthony. Hornacek said the last time Jackson criticized Anthony as a “ball-stopper” on CBS Sports Network, he texted him and Anthony responded, “I’m good.’’

Still, Hornacek reiterated Anthony dictates his future and gave his first strong defense of his leading scorer.

“Carmelo’s got the voice to that,’’ Hornacek said Wednesday. “He’s got the no-trade. He can do whatever he wants. I’d love to have him here. I think he’s a great player. He’s been great with the coaching staff.’’

Indeed, after acting wishywashy for a couple of weeks, Hornacek admitted he probably didn’t need this added controversy. But he isn’t surprised.

“I was kind of — not warned — but it was expected there’d be something all the time,’’ Hornacek said. “It has lived up to its billing.’’

Hornacek also defended Anthony against the negative article that set off Jackson this week. The story by Kevin Ding, a former Lakers beat writer who now works for Bleacher Report, suggested Anthony cares more about his brand in New York City than winning and that’s why he hasn’t asked for a trade.

“I think he wants to win,’’ Hornacek said. “He’s not coming to practice: ‘ Coach, I don’t want to practice today.’ He’s never once tried to get out of practice. That’s usually a sign of someone who doesn’t care about winning.’’

According to Hornacek, the players seemed unfazed at the shootaround Wednesday morning that Jackson did not attend.