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By Sam Amico / The Amico Report

NEW YORK STATE OF POINT GUARD

Can Stephon Marbury save the New York Knicks?

I don’t know. All I know is it sure will be fun watching him try. I also know the Knicks desperately needed a player like Marbury, a Coney Island native who will pump some life into a team that has lacked sizzle ever since reaching the Finals in 1999.

Marbury was traded to New York along with Anfernee Hardaway and something called Cezar Trybanski. In return, Phoenix got Antonio McDyess, Howard Eisley, a couple of future first-round draft picks, and former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward (who has since been waived, and is rumored to be headed to San Antonio or Houston).

I never thought I’d be writing this, but way to go new Knicks general manager Isiah Thomas!

Marbury is clearly among the top five point guards in the league, behind New Jersey’s Jason Kidd and the Lakers’ Gary Payton, and probably ahead of Dallas’ Steve Nash and Minnesota’s Sam Cassell.

But Marbury has his doubters, and with good reason. Namely, can he co-exist with forward Keith Van Horn, who has been on a tear since Thomas took over the team? Marbury and Van Horn were teammates in New Jersey, and for the most part, refused to get along. The Knicks spinsters are telling everyone that both “have matured” since then -- and we’re about to find out if that‘s true. If not, Van Horn will be the one who’s shown the door, which is the way it should be. It’s not like the Knicks were going anywhere with Van Horn as the top option.

An even bigger question is, can Marbury win?

It’s a valid one, because with the exception of last season in Phoenix, Marbury hasn’t exactly been a regular in the playoffs. In fact, last year was Marbury’s best as a pro. That’s why it was such a good idea for Thomas to trade for him. I mean, there’s no better time to acquire a talent like Marbury than when he’s on top of his game. Right?

If you’ve read this newsletter for the past three years, you already know I’m a big fan of New York City-produced point guards. They’re aggressive, supremely confident, and are guaranteed to play with a little flair. Marbury is all of that and more.

Now all the Knicks need for him to do is act willing to get his teammates involved. That seems promising, especially when you consider Marbury made a point to play unselfishly last season in Phoenix. It was only when the Suns nearly set that he decided to shoot a little more -- and let there be no doubt, it was Marbury who was mostly responsible for lifting the Suns to the No. 8 seed and giving the champion Spurs their biggest scare of the postseason.

As for the Knicks, word is that Thomas isn’t done making moves (more on that in a minute). But even if he doesn’t pull off another trade, you have to like the looks of the current lineup. It features Dikembe Mutombo at center, Van Horn and Kurt Thomas at forwards, and Marbury and Allan Houston at guards. It’s a great mix, as Marbury, Houston and Van Horn can take all the shots, and Mutombo and Kurt Thomas can do all the dirty work -- and actually enjoy doing it.

The bench is solid with forward Shandon Anderson, center Othella Harrington, guards Frank Williams and Moochie Norris, and still-productive swingman Hardaway.

All of it makes you wonder, are the playoffs in the Knicks’ immediate future?

Could be. Most of it depends on Marbury.

Most of it will come down to whether or not Marbury is just another guy who racks up big numbers in January, only to be fishing in May -- or if he’s the winner so many Knicks fans hope he is.

MORE ON THE KNICKS

-- The New York Daily News reports that Thomas has been on the phone with Portland GM John Nash in an attempt to acquire forward Rasheed Wallace. This actually has some truth to it, as Nash verified that he has indeed been in contact with Thomas, even going as far as saying, “I hope we can work something out.” One scenario has Van Horn and Thomas heading to Portland for Wallace and Qyntel Woods.

-- When it comes to trades, I always openly root for the “throw-in” players. It’s hard to believe, but Anfernee Hardaway is one of those players. Hard to believe because Hardaway was such a huge star when he first came into the league with Orlando. Then he signed with Phoenix as a free agent, and promptly became everything that’s wrong with fame. None of it, of course, was Hardaway’s fault, particularly since he blew out his knee and suffered other general injuries while with the Suns. But he went from being “Penny” to just “Anfernee” in what seemed like no time at all.

-- Anyway, I’m rooting for Hardaway because he’s a good guy who has accepted his status as a role player like an absolute champ. He’s still 6-foot-7 and he can still handle the ball, and he’ll undoubtedly be an asset off the bench. No, he’s not nearly as athletic as he once was, as Hardaway can no longer drive past his man in the blink of an eye. But he understands how to play the game and has become a positive force in the locker room.

-- One final Hardaway note: After scoring something like 28 points in a game with Phoenix earlier this season, Hardaway told reporters, “You may not remember it, but I was a pretty good player at one time.” I almost teared up.

MORE ON THE SUNS

-- Obviously, Phoenix wasn’t going anywhere WITH Marbury, and it was a good idea for Suns management to just cut costs. With only Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire (injured) remaining as key components from last year’s team, the Suns have become the Atlanta Hawks of the West and will now be forced to sell fans the We’re Building for the Future routine. But at least the Suns have some money available to try to lure a big-time free agent next summer.

-- Forward Tom Gugliotta, who is reaching the end of his career, is rumored to be the next Sun to be traded. Salt Lake City newspapers are reporting Phoenix and Utah are working on deal that would land Googs with the Jazz.

RANDOM STUFF

-- Cleveland is another team that’s apparently not done dealing, as the Cavaliers continue to shop forward Darius Miles. One rumored trade involves (you guessed it) the Knicks, in which Miles would be shipped to New York for Frank Williams and Othella Harrington.

-- The Cavaliers are also reportedly discussing a trade with Memphis that would send Miles to the Grizzlies and bring Shane Battier to Cleveland. Nothing against Miles, but this Northeast Ohio native would LOVE to see Battier in a Cavs uniform. Battier is the ultimate hustle player -- not to mention a guy with underrated offensive skills -- and would fit in nicely with the LeBron James. That’s especially true when you consider Cleveland coach Paul Silas is trying to sell his young players on defense and unselfishness, Battier’s two biggest strengths.

-- Trail Blazers guard Damon Stoudemire in the Portland Tribune: “I hate to say this, but maybe this is a bad mix of players. I remember one of the main things of me wanting to get out of Toronto was, I wanted to go to a perennial (contender), a team that consistently got things done in the playoffs.”

-- I discussed Stoudemire’s comments with an NBA scout, who countered with, “No team with Damon Stoudemire as the starting point guard will consistently get things done in the playoffs.”

-- Last season, Miami swingman Caron Butler averaged 15.4 points per game and was one of the league’s top three rookies. This year, he’s averaging 5.4 points and has yet to score more than 13 in any game. He’s also shooting just 26 percent from the floor. That, folks, is what’s known as a Sophomore Slump.

-- On the bright side, the Heaters are overachieving under new coach Stan Van Gundy, who has this bunch of so-so talent thinking about the playoffs. Also, before injuring his wrist, rookie Dwyane Wade was this year’s Caron Butler, making a strong case for rookie of the year consideration.

-- Speaking of awards, coach of the year candidate Jerry Sloan is trying to convince the no-name Jazz to play at an even MORE controlled pace. “The up-tempo game is killing us,” Sloan told reporters. “Guys run back down the floor like they’re shopping for Dairy Queen.”

-- My question is, how come Dairy Queen is always associated with everything that’s wimpy in sports? Maybe it’s because you can’t sound very tough when saying, “Hi. I’d like a Dilly Bar please.” Just a guess.

-- How’s this for DURABILITY: Lakers forward Karl Malone is on the injured list with a sprained knee, which marks the first time since 1989 that he’s missed two consecutive games. It’s also the first season in his 17-year career that he will miss as many as three games. In other words, Malone is the anti-Marcus Camby.

-- Speaking of the Lakers, this line comes from Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Downey: “I have no idea if (Kobe) Bryant is guilty or innocent. But if he is willing to sign with the Clippers, his lawyers could argue temporary insanity.”

-- Then again, the Clippers ARE the only team in the league with three guys averaging at least 18 points per game. They are: Corey Maggette (20.4), Elton Brand (19.1), and Quentin Richardson (18.4).

-- Want to know what a team player is? Look no further than Minnesota guard Trenton Hassell, who played a whopping 38 minutes in the Timberwolves’ win over the Lakers Jan. 6, and took just ONE shot. He missed it to finish with zero points. Still, Hassell passed for seven assists and did an admirable job of … well, hassling Kobe Bryant.

-- The Washington Wizards are on the fast track to another lottery, and most of it has to do with their inability to hold on to the ball long enough to set up the offense. “We have to stop turning the ball over,” said Wizards guard Larry Hughes, who is averaging close to three turnovers a game. “We have to value possessions more. That’s a big part of what’s gone wrong.”

-- College football fans might be interested to know that LSU defensive end Marcus Spears, who returned an interception 20 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the Sugar Bowl, is the cousin of Atlanta forward Stephen Jackson. If only Spears’ success could rub off on the Hawks.

MINOR LEAGUE STUFF

-- Names you may know in the ABA (other than Long Beach forward Dennis Rodman): DeJuan Wheat (Juarez); Joe Crispin, Paul Shirley (Kansas City); Mark Jackson -- yes, THAT Mark Jackson, Percy Miller (Las Vegas). Joe Bryant is the coach of the Las Vegas entry, and you have to wonder what’s a bigger thrill for him: Being Kobe’s father, or getting the opportunity to coach Master P.

-- NBDL notables: Lavor Postell (14.0 ppg), Kris Lang (11.5), Brandin Knight (4.5), Asheville; Kevin Lyde (10.6), Terence Morris (10.0), Columbus; Jason Collier (16.5), Britton Johnson (15.3), Omar Cook (9.7), Sam Clancy (7.0), Fayetteville; Mateen Cleaves (12.3), Rod Grizzard (11.2), Erick Barkley (10.0), Ken Johnson (9.0).

-- CBA players to watch: Eddie Gill (Dakota); Jermeil Rich (Gary); Anthony Bonner (Great Lakes); Josh Davis (Idaho); Ronnie Fields (Rockford); Roy Tarpley (Sioux Falls); Anthony Goldwire (Yakima).