Point guard Jose Calderon showed his dedication to the Knicks this summer, passing on playing for the Spanish national team in its ongoing Olympic qualifying. Calderon wanted to rest his Achilles strain, bent on making up for a disappointing first year as a Knick.
The former Spanish Leaguer, who turns 34 on Sept. 28 — when the Knicks open training camp — returned to town Aug. 24 and worked out in five-on-five scrimmages at Carmelo Antony’s gym all last week.
“I feel,’’ Calderon said, “as if the Achilles is back to normal.’’
With the new faces team president Phil Jackson netted during free agency, Calderon said he believes the Knicks will be watchable again.
“I really like it,’’ Calderon told The Post. “Everyone was expecting a star, but we got good guys who know how to play. I knew the type of players we wanted.’’
The highlights of Jackson’s haul included defensive center Robin Lopez and shooting guard Arron Afflalo. The Knicks signed power forwards Derrick Williams and Kyle O’Quinn while drafting 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis and potential starting backcourt mate Jerian Grant.
“A lot of bad things happened last year,’’ Calderon said. “We’ll win more than 17 games and we’ll try to win every game. I’m real excited we can do great things, but talking about the playoffs, it’s too early. You don’t talk playoffs a few weeks before training camp.’’
Calderon admitted he tried to woo free agent Marc Gasol, a Spanish compadre, but knew it was a long shot. Gasol, Jackson’s pipe-dream top target, re-signed with the Grizzlies and turned down meetings with other teams.
“Not really surprised,’’ Calderon said. “I got the feeling he was staying. He’s playing really well with a really good team that’s ready to make the next step. We talked a lot. Nothing I can do. He knows Phil from [his brother and ex-Laker] Pau [Gasol], but he made a good decision for himself and family.’’
While Calderon was shopped at the trade deadline, he got strong feelings he was returning after the season ended despite the possibility of the Knicks saving cap space by using the stretch provision on the $15 million left on his pact. As recently as last month, speculation arose the Clippers could have interest in Calderon as they shop Jamal Crawford. At the time, Calderon issued a tweet, suggesting the Clippers’ interest when a fan harassed him on Twitter that nobody would ever want him.
Calderon told The Post his response was “a joke.’’
“You never know in the NBA, but I was pretty confident after the [exit] meetings, knowing the players they were looking for, the way we were going, they were counting on me coming back,’’ Calderon said.
“I was never worried. It doesn’t mean I know for sure, but I was told I wasn’t involved in those trades and people I trust tell me that. And I talked to Derek [Fisher] during their free-agent meetings, so they were keeping me always in the loop.’’
Calderon already has hit it off with Porzingis, the Latvian big man who played three seasons in the Spanish League. They converse in Calderon’s native tongue.
“His Spanish is perfect,’’ Calderon said. “He’s like a Spanish guy. He’s been in Spain for a while. He speaks like he’s from there.’’
Porzingis could find it easier here, Calderon said.
“With the rules in the NBA, he could be better,’’ Calderon said. “Over there, it’s a lot more grabbing by the veterans, so it’s more difficult for a player like him. He’s very talented and likes to work.’’
Hurt late in training camp, Calderon missed the first 13 games with a calf strain last season and never mastered the triangle. The heady floor general averaged 9.1 points and 4.7 assists. He missed 40 games, his season ending Feb. 25 in Boston.
“I never could get 100 percent the way the season is,’’ Calderon said. “It was a very tough season for me and I couldn’t play the way I wanted to. I needed time with the Achilles. I was thinking about myself. I want to play here a few more years.’’