Mark Jackson remembers thinking last week about Patrick Ewing’s upcoming retun to the Garden on Tuesday.

“I knew Patrick was coming [back] to the Garden,” said Jackson, who played five years with Ewing. “I said, boy, I’d love to be there. Now I’m here with an opportunity to [play].

“Patrick is the greatest Knick ever, a legend, Hall of Famer. It’s different to walk in here and [find] him not being a member of the Knicks. The best thing New Yorkers could do is shower him with affection and love and give him the due respect he deserves when he steps into this building and his name is announced.

“Because I’m going to be cheering for him … I’m going to let him how much he means to me and how much he meant to me.”