MIAMI — The normally affable Mike D’Antoni got angry yesterday morning when peppered with questions about 2010 free agency, hours before his Knicks’ 2009-2010 season opener vs. the Heat.
“This will be one of the last times I address this, because it’s not important,” the coach said. “It’s not what we think about. It’s not what the team thinks about. You guys [in the media] can buzz all you want, but it has nothing to do with anything.”
By day’s end, D’Antoni may have welcomed 2010 questions — any questions that didn’t deal with the current mess highlighted by last night’s 115-93 season-opening blowout loss to Miami at American Airlines Arena.
It was a night the Heat honored the past in retiring Knick rival Tim Hardaway’s jersey — but this Knicks franchise is so far removed from those playoff wars.
Despite Danilo Gallinari’s 3-point fireworks late, with the game out of reach, the Knicks fell behind by 31 points late in the third quarter. They allowed the Heat to shoot 56.6 percent after all the preseason talk of an improved defense.
“I thought our defense was good for a while, then they overwhelmed us physically,” D’Antoni said.
After missing his first four shots, Gallinari exploded in the second half. The franchise future finished with 22 points and made seven 3-pointers. Gallinari finished 7 of 14. David Lee also added 22 points.
But the Knicks’ erratic shooting in preseason carried over. They shot just 37.9 percent, including 10 of 39 on 3-pointers (25.6). Nate Robinson had a horrid night, missing all eight of his shots, finishing with one point in 21 minutes. Al Harrington, after a hot start, wound up 5 of 14 (15 points).
Perimeter shooting is the crux of D’Antoni’s system.
“It’s disheartening,” D’Antoni said. “You play hard, play hard and you keep missing shots. I’d lie to you if I say it’s not a concern.”
The Knicks played solidly for 22 minutes before disintegrating in all phases. Dwyane Wade was controlled reasonably well but still finished with 26 points. Jermaine O’Neal punished them inside for 22 points (10 of 12), and Michael Beasley added 21.
“We just had breakdowns defensively,” Harrington said. “We did a great job defensively in preseason. But we allowed our offense to effect our defense.”
After nearly 22 minutes of gritty ball, the Knicks were tied at 46 with 2:49 left in the half before collapsing. The Heat went on a 10-0 run as the Knicks got sloppy.
Chris Duhon lost the ball to Mario Chalmers, who fed ahead to O’Neal for a fastbreak dunk. Harrington blew a driving dunk, and Wade ran out for a fastbreak slam. The Heat pulled ahead 56-47 at the half, then poured it on in the second half, leading 90-59 in the final seconds of the third — and it was 2008-2009 all over again.
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Wade gave the Knicks no love regarding 2010 free agency.
The Knicks will lead the league in cap space with an estimated $26 million available — enough for Wade and a $9M per standout.
“I’m not even thinking about it,” Wade said of the Knicks.
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D’Antoni took a dig at ex-Knick Quentin Richardson, who lost 25 pounds and yesterday earned the starting forward job for the Heat.
“Good for him losing weight — a contract year will do those things to you,” D’Antoni cracked.
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A source said Eddy Curry could return to practice Monday to begin Comeback II.
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The widow of Knick great Dave DeBusschere, Gerri, passed away two days ago. She had been living in Florida.