Michael Beasley views himself as a scoring machine, constantly touting his points-per-minute averages. He’s also a quote machine.
Beasley, the former No. 2 pick who’s had a journeyman career, says the rebuilding Knicks, if Carmelo Anthony stays, will make the playoffs as a “five, six seed’’ because of their scoring potency.
Beasley also made an outrageous boast that he still has faith, at age 28, he’ll become an All-Star and “one of the best in the NBA’’ with more playing time.
Introduced to the media during a Tuesday press conference in Tarrytown, Beasley said he’s hoping Anthony, who grew up in Baltimore, a stone’s throw from Beasley’s D.C.-area hometown, doesn’t get traded.
Las Vegas has put the Knicks’ over-under for wins at 30.5.
“Tim Hardaway Jr., Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and myself — those are four guys that can score 25 points per game,’’ Beasley said. “Then you add in Lance Thomas, Kyle O’Quinn, Joakim Noah — let’s not forget about that All-Star. It’s up to us to put it together just like it was up to them last year. Whatever happened last year is what happened. But I’m here now, and I’m going to do everything I can to get everyone on the same page, even if that page is beating me up every day in practice.
“Do I see us better than a 30-win team in Vegas? Listen, I don’t even go to Vegas. So yeah, I do. I think we’ve got a position to be not only a playoff team, but a five-, six-seed team if we do it right.’’
Doing it right means keeping Anthony, who is on the trading block. Beasley wants to be Anthony’s sidekick, not his replacement. Anthony hasn’t been one of the 15 or so players at Tarrytown’s voluntary scrimmages the past two weeks, instead hosting his own pickup games at his gym in Manhattan that some Knicks have attended.
“Listen, Carmelo’s been like my mentor,’’ said Beasley, who has scrimmaged with Anthony in Manhattan. “If you watch my game, really watch my game, my jab series, all that, I’m literally just Carmelo on the left side of the floor. Like I’ve known Carmelo since I was 13 years old, one of my best friends, one of the best players I’ve ever met. Me and him are from the same area. I can’t wait to play with him.”
When told some view him as Anthony’s successor after signing for the veteran’s minimum of $2.1 million, Beasley said: “I don’t think about it at all. I’m coming into the Knicks, and I’m looking forward to playing with Carmelo. Anything else is the organization and the coaches and him. But I’m actually looking forward to having a great year with Melo and finally being in the playoffs.”
Knicks management has alluded to this being a rebuilding season to develop young players, but Beasley believes he’s in that age group. “I’m still young,’’ Beasley said. “I’m 28. I plan to play at least until I’m 43. So you do the math.”
Last season, the math was good. Beasley came off the bench in Milwaukee, averaging 9.6 points in 16 minutes. The knock on Beasley, aside from past alleged marijuana incidents early in his career, is lax defense.
“I am not as bad a defender as you say I am,’’ Beasley said.
Still, he’s viewed by scouts as a one-dimensional scorer.
“That’s not all I can do, bro, I swear,’’ Beasley said. “Yeah, everybody has a niche, man, and that’s my niche. But I’ve learned from it. I can create. I can help my teammates better. I think that’s where my game has matured the most and where a lot of people would overlook. I actually look more to pass than I do to score now, because, not to be cocky or anything, but it’s so easy.”
His high opinion of himself hasn’t dwindled with time. In August, Beasley told The Post he felt he deserved more respect as a “walking bucket.’’
On Tuesday, Beasley, who also is friends with D.C. product Kevin Durant, added he feels he still has time to reach the elite and is tired of moving around, playing now for six NBA teams and in China.
“I still think I have a chance to be one of the best in the NBA,’’ Beasley crowed. “I’m your favorite player’s favorite player. And it’s not enough for me for him to know that. I want the world to know that. So I’m still working hard as if I can be the best ever.’’
Beasley’s best season came under then-Wolves head coach Kurt Rambis, still Jeff Hornacek’s assistant coach. As The Post reported, Rambis made the pitch to Beasley in July.
“Kurt really put it all together,’’ Beasley said. “Me and Kurt had a great year together in Minnesota.
The only humbleness Beasley showed is admitting his “weak-side help defense’’ is not up to snuff. Otherwise, if Beasley’s boasts come true, the Knicks have a steal and are much better than advertised.