Carmelo Anthony didn’t want the Knicks to sign JR Smith

That first week returning from China, JR Smith was on an incredible high. Signing with the Knicks just a tunnel away from where he grew up in Newark, New Jersey. In his first game with the team he was lights out coming off the bench.

What a difference a few short weeks makes and a couple of losses. Not only has JR’s game come back down to a more earthly form, the guard was fined $25K for tweeting a photo of Tahiry Jose. Now he finds out that his former Nugget teammate Carmelo Anthony didn’t even want the Knicks to sign him.

Contrary to popular belief, Anthony was leery of the Knicks bringing in his former Denver teammate three weeks ago and gave a thumbs down to upper management, according to a person close to the Knicks superstar.

But, according to the source, Anthony was not gung-ho and was “hurt’’ Knicks upper management tossed his advice out the window.

Smith is shooting 38% right now and the Knicks lost at home Sunday to the 76’ers.