Memphis center Marc Gasol and Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge said Friday they enjoyed New York and seemed to give an endorsement of the triangle offense.
Gasol and Aldridge are the top two big men free agents this summer, and both are expected to receive maximum-contract offers. As The Post has reported, the Knicks feel they are long shots in their Gasol bid.
“You can find anything you want [in New York],’’ Gasol said during the media availability at a Sheraton Hotel in Midtown. “And there’s nothing you can’t do here. It’s pretty cold right now but other than that, I’ve been here plenty of times.
“I don’t think of free agency yet. There will come a point in time that I will weight all my options, and when that happens I’ll look at everything on the table.’’
Gasol, who is close with Knicks point guard Jose Calderon as longtime members of the Spanish national team, didn’t seem fazed by Phil Jackson’s triangle. The Knicks are the only club who use it full-blown, but Gasol said there are remnants everywhere.
“New York is not the only team that uses the triangle,’’ Gasol said. “I think it is something every team uses.’’
Aldridge said of the triangle: “I’m a post player, I don’t mind it. I feel I can play it. I can do well in it.’’
The Portland big man said last summer he planned to re-sign with the Blazers, but when Portland visited New York in December, he said there still is some wiggle room.
“It’s one of the cities most guys look forward to coming,” Aldridge said. “It’s a fun city, a lot going on, the fashion capital. Guys like coming here.”
Aldridge pinpointed his two criteria: “Being happy and I want to win, love where I’m at. If I get those things, I’ll be fine.’’
Aldridge also was asked about Jackson, who will be the front man in the Knicks’ recruiting pitches.
“We all understand how great he is and how he understands basketball,’’ Aldridge said. “I don’t think any doubt. He’s been spoken so highly by Kobe [Bryant] that he’s not going to fail. It’s always a process. It takes time.’’
Asked if Carmelo Anthony has made his pitch, Aldridge said no.
“Maybe I’m not good enough, but I haven’t seen him,’’ Aldridge said.
Gasol, who will face his brother, Pau, in Sunday’s All-Star Game, said he hasn’t spoken much to Calderon yet.
“He’s a friend of mine,’’ Gasol said. “He knows me well. I know what he’s going through now, trying to change the culture here in New York.’’
Jackson, at the All-Star tech summit, told reporters he won’t be recruiting during All-Star Weekend.
“That can’t be what I do here,” Jackson said. “I’ve got to be even-handed and friendly and this isn’t a recruiting tool.”
It also would be tampering, in violation of NBA rules. Jackson got fined last spring for tampering with Derek Fisher when he played for Oklahoma City during the playoffs.