http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/30288.htm
Kurt Thomas still doesn't have a starting job locked up, or a secure Knick future, but nevertheless he was named a tri-captain yesterday, joining Stephon Marbury and Allan Houston. Marbury was named the captain last week.

Asked if a captain can still be traded, the on-the-block Thomas quipped, "I have no idea, but Patrick Ewing was a captain and he was traded."

Lenny Wilkens expects to start Thomas at power forward and Nazr Mohammed at center tonight when the Knicks open their exhibition schedule against the Nets in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. But the coach likely will start Michael Sweetney at power forward in the second game vs. San Antonio Saturday and possibly Vin Baker at center.

"I want to see a few different people in those spots," Wilkens said.

Sweetney appears to be the early favorite to unseat Thomas and got a strong plug from Marbury yesterday. The Knicks All-Star point guard said the two surprises of camp are Sweetney and Jamal Crawford.

"Sweetney's been dominating in the paint," Marbury said, "showing he's that guy who can fill that void of playing the post position."

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With Allan Houston out indefinitely, Crawford will make his Knick debut, at starting shooting guard. Crawford said he and Marbury have adjusted as a backcourt tandem, even though both are natural point guards . . . "Whoever gets it on the break, the other guy fills the lane," Crawford said. "Our offense is interchangeable. It's not hard to pick up the other spots."

Marbury is enthralled with Crawford. "We knew Jamal was good but I didn't know how talented he was playing the point position and shooting the ball," Marbury said. "Two guys on the wings are able to make plays. And with Tim, it's like a triangle."



Knicks will hold intrasquad scrimmage Sunday at noon at Garden. Free tickets can be obtained at nyknicks.com