IT'S A BRAND NEW DAY
Porzingis hoping to start fresh, 'leave what happened ... in the past'
What exit meeting? Kristaps Porzingis said he is willing to “leave in the past’’ any bad blood, declined to go into why he blew off his April meetings with Knicks brass and denied his relationship with coach Jeff Hornacek went sour last season.
The 7-foot-3 Latvian claimed he has moved on as he becomes the new face of the franchise with Carmelo Anthony, his mentor, traded to the Thunder on Saturday.
At media day Monday, Porzingis was asked if he was mad at the franchise.
“No. I’m coming into this season with a fresh mind. It’s a new season,” he said. “I want to leave what happened ... in the past. The past is the past. I don’t want to talk about that no more. I want to talk about this season. I’m just excited to be here.”
According to sources, Porzingis didn’t show up for his exit meeting in April because of the chaotic nature of how former team president Phil Jackson ran the franchise and because of the player’s lousy rapport with Hornacek. Jackson is gone. Hornacek isn’t.
“I have a great relationship with him,’’ Porzingis said of Hornacek. “I wouldn’t know where it all comes from.”
During the press conference, Porzingis wouldn’t mention Jackson, the guy who drafted him with the No. 4 pick in the 2015 draft, by name. However, in an NBA TV interview later, Porzingis said, “He played a big role in my development as a player and am thankful to him.’’
However, during his meeting with the press, Porzingis sounded glad about the regime change.
“A lot of changes, a lot of new things,’’ Porzingis said. “I was back home in Latvia working on my game, focusing on getting better and getting back here a better player so I can make a bigger difference on the basketball court. I’m sure management will do their best. And us as players are going to try to do our best for the team.”
Is the new management team of Steve Mills and Scott Perry on the right track?
“I think so,’’ he said. “I have faith in those people, and I believe they want us to grow. They want for me to be in a position where I can succeed. I’m excited. A lot of new things are happening. A lot of new people are here. There’s going to be a lot of changes. I’m coming in, as I said, with a fresh mind. I’m looking forward to this season.”
With Anthony history, Porzingis needs to step up as the No. 1 scoring option and leader. He acknowledged being “the new focal point of the offense.’’
“I’m excited about the opportunity to be the leader of the team,’’ Porzingis said. “But, again, there’s going to be 15 guys on the
roster, and everyone is going to have to contribute. Everybody is going to do that. It’s not just about one guy and it’s his team. It’s a team. It’s not just one guy.”
Porzingis said he “believes’’ he can be an All-Star this season, but admitted Anthony’s absence will make him more a center of attention for defenses.
“Honestly, he took a lot of pressure off of everybody,’’ said Porzingis, who averaged 23 points during the European championships. “We all understand that. He was always the No. 1 focal point for the other team. I realize that. And now I’m going to be one of those guys that other teams are going to focus on.
“That’s one of the things that are a little more difficult for me. So it’s going to be different. It’s going to be way different. He drew so much attention. And now there’s going to be more attention on me. I have to be ready for it. It’s going to be different.”
Porzingis wouldn’t say if he tried to persuade Anthony to stay but called him “a great mentor’’ and is “grateful’’ to have spent two seasons with him.
“Me and Melo, we texted and kept in contact throughout the summer,’’ he said. “Obviously, I understand it’s a business, and he has to make the best decision for himself. I believe that was the best for him to find a new challenge and go to Oklahoma.”
After last season’s disaster during which he spoke up often about the team’s lack of cohesion, Porzingis said he needed to be in Latvia all offseason to get away. He left one week after the season, but not before telling The Post he didn’t want to be traded. Jackson was so incensed about the missed meeting, he entertained trade offers, leading to outrage and his demise.
“I felt like it was important for me to get away just to work on my game and have nothing else around,’’ Porzingis said. “I enjoy being with my family, honestly. And that gives me so much energy, positive energy that these five months away were really important to me. I worked really, really hard this summer. And I’m just excited being back here.”