The Knicks Fix

A few thoughts before I head to JFK for this two-game trip to Charlotte and Orlando:

* If Kobe plays, do the Knicks win? I'm sure it's a conspiracy theory, but doesn't it seem like the Knicks have gotten all of the breaks this season when it comes to facing teams without their top players? I hit on this before, but now I'm starting to wonder if Emeka Okafor or Dwight Howard will be out in either of the next two games. That would make a good book, don't you think? Do a story about a league that secretly orders the refs to make favorable calls for a certain team and has team doctors declare players "injured" for games against this certain team that can't make the playoffs without help but the league can't afford to have this big market mecca not in the playoffs. Have James Woods play the commissioner, he's good at being slimy. But I have to say I love "Shark" and I watch it when I can (which is rare).

* I'm already looking past Charlotte tonight (and I'm not even there yet) to Saturday night in Orlando. Eddy Curry vs Dwight Howard. Too bad the all-star reserves will be named by then, otherwise we could hype up the media machine and make it into a battle for a roster spot. Either way, we'll find a reason to sensationalize the first meeting of the season between the top two young big men in the East.

* If the Magic win the NBA Championship some day it probably wouldn't make sense to have the "I'm Going to Disney World!" commercial.

* Stephon Marbury's condition will be worth watching tonight, especially against the sneaky-quick Ray Felton, who had a strong game at the Garden the last time the Bobcats visited. Marbury was definitely in pain at the end of Tuesday's game against the Lakers and that sore knee is going to bother him for the rest of the season. He'll probably feel it the most in the second game of a back-to-back. Isiah Thomas might be better off resting him tonight. Then there are two off-days in Orlando before Saturday's game and only one game next week, Tuesday against the Clippers, before the three-game West Coast trip.

* The next time the Knicks play the Bucks at the Garden, they should play Beyonce's song Irreplacable, every time Mo Williams has the ball.

To the left, to the left . . .

Just as a reminder of which way to force Mo Williams, who just torches the Knicks off the dribble.

* It was good to see some of Jared Jeffries' extra work after practice -- he puts in at least a half-hour to an hour after every practice with Herb Williams and Mark Aguirre and also to work on his shooting form with assistant coach Dave Hanners. But the best way to get out of a shooting slump is to take high-percentage shots. A dunk is about as high-percentage as one can get. That three-ball from the corner at the end of the first half? Don't get used to that. Jeffries' effectiveness is his size and athleticism. His long-range jumper is about as consistent as a paper airplane.

* Welcome to February. A lot will happen this month, I promise. From Curry's first all-star appearance (I'm calling it now) to the Knicks matching last season's 23 wins to Nate Robinson defending his Slam Dunk title (D-Howard plans to contend) and, of course, the Feb. 22 trade deadline. It's safe to predict Isiah Thomas wants to do something big before the deadline if he can. It'll be curious to see what shakes out between now and then regarding trade rumors. Remember, folks, they're called rumors because that's what they are. But some people in this business live off of the idea that it's better to be first than right. So go ahead and lose yourself in the speculation. Then when you wake up on Feb. 23 and all you have to show for it is giving up Malik Rose for a second round pick, ask yourself if it was worth it.

* Matt Carroll sees the Knicks coming. He's warming up his shooting arm. Hickory!