BELEAGUERED KNICKS MIRED IN SOAP OPERA.

Byline: SCOTT WOLF NBA 

As if the Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis travesty weren't enough to keep the New York tabloids busy, they set their cynical eye on an even easier target this week: the Knicks.

Yes, the lovable group that managed to score five points in a quarter and 22 in a half against the Chicago Bulls, the NBA's version of the Washington Generals. Or is that the Clippers?

Anyway, New York was aflutter for about one news cycle with reports that coach Jeff Van Gundy was about to be fired if he didn't beat Charlotte.

Well, Van Gundy's job was never in jeopardy, but more intriguing than the job rumors were the theories on who was spreading this gossip.

The No. 1 culprit is Knicks general manager Ernie Grunfeld, hoping to deflect some criticism from his own questionable personnel moves by stabbing a co-worker in the back. New Yorkers haven't been thrilled Ernie G. traded the popular Charles Oakley for Marcus Camby, or signed invisible point guard Chris Childs to a six-year, $24 million contract.

So maybe he planted the rumor to see what the players really thought of Van Gundy, hoping to make him the fall guy before MSG president Dave Checketts decided Ernie has to go, which is much more likely to happen.

Let's face it, if the Knicks make a coaching change and hire Phil Jackson, the former Bulls coach will also want to make personnel moves, eliminating the need for Grunfeld.

``The surprise to me is Ernie's still here. That's the biggest surprise to me. He's got everybody fooled. I don't know how the city contends with this,'' said former Knick Anthony Mason. ``I guess him and Dave (Checketts) are like this'' as he crossed his fingers.

For his part, Van Gundy has tried to take the rumors of his demise in stride.

``Thank God basketball season has started in New York. The first year, (the job security questions started) right after I got the job,'' he said. ``The second year it was 12 games, the third year it was 15. They waited too long this year.''

This being New York, there are also has been speculation that maybe even Van Gundy planted the stories himself, desperate to do something after the Knicks tied the league record for least field goals made (19)in that 76-63 loss to the Bulls.

If he did, it worked. The Knicks have won three of four since the news broke and Van Gundy has received undying support from his players.

``They can trade me if they do it,'' center Patrick Ewing said.

That should keep Van Gundy's job safe - for at least a couple of more weeks.

They're shocked, simply shocked: If you think the Chicago Bulls had an office pool on how long it would take Dennis Rodman to go AWOL in L.A., you wouldn't be far from the truth.

``I'm not surprised to see this,'' Bulls guard Ron Harper said. ``A cat cannot change its fur. A sheep cannot change into a cow.''

Rookie of the year: The old joke used to go ``Who's the only guy who held Michael Jordan under 20 points? Dean Smith.''

The joke is just as relevant today, just insert the names Vince Carter and Bill Guthridge.

Carter, who played in the shadow of Antawn Jamison last season at North Carolina, has emerged as the early front-runner for rookie of the year honors. On Thursday the Raptors' rookie scored 17 of his game- and career-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to lead Toronto to a 103-101 victory over Detroit.

Then he lit up the Clippers for 26 points, making 10 of 11 shots.

``Vince Carter is a very gifted player who has a great future in this league,'' said the normally reserved Joe Dumars.

No Cal diet: New Jersey players were all smiles when the Nets fired John Calipari, who was viewed more as a self-promoter than a coach.

But now that the slick-haired huckster is gone, will they be a better team?

The Nets' demise might be traced to Calipari, but most league observers view them as one of the most selfish teams in the league, with even bona-fide stars Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn earning reputations as ball hogs.

Management hopes newly acquired Stephon Marbury will have more effect on team chemistry than any possible replacement for Calipari.

The feudin' may be over: Penny Hardaway keeps dredging up his hard feelings toward Orlando coach Chuck Daly over the way he was treated when he was injured last season.

Daly ``was so upset that I didn't play, he didn't speak to me. He didn't even want to see me. If I couldn't play on the team, he didn't care . . . I never had one negative thing to say about Chuck Daly. He's only had negative things to say about Penny Hardaway.''

Daly's response: ``As a coach, you have to take the people who are available and work your (butt) off to try to win a game and that's what we tried to do. I couldn't do anything about the fact Penny was injured . . . you've just got to move on and try to work with the people you have.''

The two then held a meeting to go over their differences and Hardaway seems satisfied.

``We had one of the best conversations I've ever had with a coach,'' Hardaway said. ``There had been a lot of assumptions made on both sides. I don't think Chuck realized how important this was to me. I could have used his support last year, but that's over now. I feel like we have a good line of communication now and I can go talk to him anytime.''

RANKING THE NBA: 1 TO 10 AND NO. 29

A look at staff writer Scott Wolf's weekly NBA ratings:

1. Utah: There just isn't an inspired candidate to chose right now for top spot.

2. Miami: Crunch time as Heat hits road for eight of next 10 games.

3. Lakers: With Rodman, they're No. 1. Without him, they're the Spurs.

4. Indiana: Unless Bird suits up, Pacers don't look like Eastern Conference champs.

5. Portland: Jim Jackson grateful he turned down offer from Clippers.

6. Orlando: Doleac starting to show what a steal he was in draft.

7. San Antonio: Admiral plays like midshipman with three points against Warriors.

8. Houston: Sorry, Charlie. Cancel planned trip to see Auburn in Final Four.

9. Milwaukee: Bucks stagger but finally get first win since Brandon trade.

10. Philadelphia: Pitino calls fellow transient Brown a ``genius'' for moving Iverson to shooting guard.

No. 29 Clippers: Chris Ford sounds embarrassed. What took him so long?

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Box: RANKING THE NBA: 1 TO 10 AND NO. 29 (See text)