CLOCK C TICKING ON MELO IN HOUSTON

Fading Anthony on way out in Houston

Well, that didn’t take long. Carmelo Anthony’s tenure with the Rockets “will soon be ending,” The New York Times reported early Sunday. Then, following the Rockets’ win over the Pacers on Sunday night, ESPN took that report a step further with sources saying Anthony could be placed on waivers as soon as Monday. The news of Anthony’s potential departure comes after ESPN reported the Rockets were having discussions with the former All-Star about his role on the team. Houston has gotten off to an awful start after reaching Game 7 of the Western Conference final last season. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey denied the report prior to Houston’s home game against the Pacers on Sunday night, with Anthony set to miss his second straight game with an illness. When asked about the reports, Morey said: “That’s inaccurate.” He said he wanted to speak to reporters in large part to defend Anthony.

“It’s unfair that there’s all this speculation on just one person,” Morey said. “I understand it. He’s obviously a Hall of Famer. But it’s unfair.”

The former Knicks star has played just 10 games, starting two, for the Rockets this season, averaging 13.4 points and 5.4 rebounds. When asked if he’s evaluating Anthony’s role on the team, Morey said they’re evaluating everyone in an effort to turn around the struggling club.

“I know that we’re talking about everything,” he said. “We’re a team trying to win the championship and we’re 4-7 and we’re not in a good place, so we’re looking at everything. We’re looking at all aspects right now.”

He added that he “would expect” Anthony, 34, to play when he’s healthy.

Being jettisoned from Houston would leave Anthony looking for a fourth team in two seasons. The Thunder traded him this summer to the Hawks after Anthony averaged a careerlow 16.2 points in 78 starts. Atlanta waived him, clearing the way for him to sign with the Rockets and friend Chris Paul.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni laughed off the idea that the drama and rumors surrounding Anthony were a distraction to the team.

“Our problem is we can’t shoot the basketball,” he said. “That’s a hindrance ... and we’ve got to fix that.”

D’Antoni said the Rockets’ struggles are not Anthony’s fault and that the outside criticism has been unfair.

“Melo’s been great and he’s done everything we’ve asked,” he said.

Anthony’s time in Houston has had a few highs — including a season-high 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting in a win over the Nets on Nov. 2 — but mostly lows, including an embarrassing flop in his return to Oklahoma City. —