Gritty Acy has good chance to be Knicks’ starting power forward

He has been the bearded wonder of preseason, and "Ace'' may be the place to find your starting Knicks power forward.

In a bizarre turn of events, Quincy Acy, who may have the NBA's longest beard, and one wilder than James Harden's, has emerged as the Knicks' leading candidate at power forward. It is the lone position battle still seemingly remaining.

That is a testament to Acy's defensive fortitude and vibrant playing style that coincides with new coach Derek Fisher's vision of what he wants out of his starting lineup. It also helps Acy's cause that Andrea Bargnani's battling a sore hamstring.

"No I didn't plan on coming here to start,'' Acy told The Post with a chuckle. "I planned on coming here and playing hard to earn minutes. I guess I impressed enough with my defense to earn a spot. I don't know what coach got going if I'm starting or coming off the bench or not playing, but I'll be happy.''

When the Knicks traded with the Kings in August for Acy and Travis Outlaw, who has been, by contrast, uninspiring, general manager Steve Mills said the former Baylor combo forward showed enough scrap and liveliness in summer league to merit a deal. The Knicks gave up Jeremy Tyler and Wayne Ellington in the trade.

But Acy, 24, probably wouldn't have gotten this opportunity if not for Bargnani's hamstring strain. The big man started the first preseason game, but has sat out the last three with the 6-foot-7 Acy promoted over Amar'e Stoudemire at power forward.

"I think that separates myself — just high energy,'' Acy said. "Not a lot of guys in the league do the things I do. I take pride in it and take pride in my defense and take some pride in being a great overall teammate.''

Acy, a 2012 second-round pick of Toronto (37th) was traded by the Raptors to the Kings last season in the Rudy Gay blockbuster.

Fisher said from the get-go, it's not the most talented five players who will start, but the coach's feeling on intangibles. Jose Calderon, Carmelo Anthony and Samuel Dalembert have locked up the starting point guard, small forward and center positions, respectively. Iman Shumpert appears to have staked his claim to the starting shooting guard job.

Then there's power forward, for which four guys are competing. Aside from Acy, Bargnani and Stoudemire, there's free-agent signee Jason Smith, who missed time because of the birth of his daughter but lit up the Sixers for 14 points Wednesday night in Syracuse.

"It's important to have guys like Iman and [Acy] because there's certain types of intensity and mind-set that's contagious within the team,'' Fisher said. "That high motor. Teammates enjoy feeding off it. Right now we have some guys born that way.''

Acy has had his beard since his time at Baylor, though, he says, "not as long.''

On Media Day, Acy said it is the baddest beard in the league.

"It's just me,'' he said. "People like it. A lot of people come in and say I like it. But I'm not wearing it to impress people. I'm just wearing it because I like it.''

Acy has impressed the Knicks staff with more than facial hair — as a board-crasher, ball-mover and screen-setter. He's confident enough in the triangle offense to launch his below-average jumper.

"[Knicks team president] Phil [Jackson] is not a man of many words, but he just says he loves my energy and told me to step up and take the shots with confidence when I get them,'' Acy said. "Just do what I do.''

"Just help run the offense. It's different for everybody. It requires a lot of thinking. Making sure I'm in the right places. Making sure I'm getting my teammates open, making sure I'm active on the boards and making open shots when given.''

Acy's strong play has given Fisher a conundrum at the power-forward spot.

"There's a lot to think about because all those players are really good players and all do good things,'' Fisher said. "It's not about picking one of those guys as the best player. It's which one is best for the balance of our team. That will still be a question mark for a while.

"It's tough to evaluate it with Bargnani being out.''

Jackson actually did lay off one of the team's scouts in the offseason — Stephen Giles — one of the club's two advance scouts.

Giles was considered a hire of former coach Mike Woodson and an extension of the dismissed coaching staff. But Giles moved up in the NBA world, hired as the Cavaliers advance scout.

Jackson retained Matt Harding for advance duties.

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