http://www.nj.com/knicks/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1097735449123000.xml
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Stephon Marbury didn't really want to answer the question, but Kurt Thomas was willing to admit that, yes, not having Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles wearing the opposite uniform is going to take a little something out of the Knicks-Nets rivalry.

"I believe so," Thomas said after practice yesterday as the Knicks prepared to square off against their Hudson River rivals tonight in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in their first preseason game. "But still, when it's Nets and Knicks going at each other, it's going to always be a rivalry."


  Information from Our Advertisers




All of the Knicks talked about how eager they were to actually play against another team, after scrimmaging against each other for the past eight days. And most said the fact that the first opponent happens to be the Nets, who swept them in the first round of the playoffs last spring, was immaterial.

"Right now, for us, it's just (about trying) to find ourselves, get a nice rhythm, see where we're at," said Tim Thomas, who might still hold a grudge against the Nets after he was injured late in Game 1 of the playoff series and missed the rest of the series. "This is the first time playing against somebody else other than ourselves, so that's what we're looking forward to."

Marbury was asked whether the changes the Nets made, in trading away Martin and Kittles, had opened the door for the Knicks to be favored to win the Atlantic Division. The one-time Net wouldn't offer an opinion.

"That's for y'all (media) to decide," he said.


Kurt Thomas admitted

he was a little surprised yesterday when he was informed by Knicks coach Lenny Wilkens that he had been named a tri-captain of the team, joining Allan Houston and Stephon Marbury.

"I just take it as an honor, something I've always dreamed about," Thomas said after practice. "Becoming a captain, to finally receive that honor -- I'm just definitely enjoying the moment."

Thomas was asked whether being a captain would make it tougher or easier for the Knicks to trade him, a reference to the trade rumors that have swirled around the nine-year veteran all summer.

"I have no idea," Thomas said with a wide grin. "Patrick Ewing was a captain. He was traded, right?"

The move -- or at least the timing of it -- is somewhat curious because throughout training camp, Knicks management has talked up second-year power forward Mike Sweetney, and hasn't discouraged reporters from wondering whether Sweetney might challenge the 6-9 Thomas for a starting spot.

As for whether having the title will cause him to do anything differently, Thomas said it would not -- with one exception.

"I think one thing," he said. "I'm going to try not to get as many technicals."


Wilkens said he

can't say how much playing time he will give Marbury, who played on the Olympic team this summer, during the game. He did say it would be less than 30 minutes, however.... MSG Network will broadcast Saturday's preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. The game tips off at 1 p.m.