Never judge by appearances.

Its hard to imagine the misfit Knicks roster picking up the pace.

When team president Donnie Walsh began the search, he was looking for somebody who might put the Knicks back on the map defensively. Its the surest way to at least make a team competitive on short notice.

Thats been a hot topic lately, DAntoni said. I know one thing for sure, we averaged 58 wins over the last four years, so 58 times a year, we were the best defensive team on the floor.

So there.

There isnt much chance the Knicks will be able to play at the pace DAntoni preferred in Phoenix, so he also made a point of selling his ability to adapt. While the roster is expected to undergo a number of changes, there are some players who might be difficult to move.

Again, its not like, Oh my gosh, thats the only thing Ive ever done, he said. You tweak everything you can. Its more important for me to win than to win my way. My job is to get the players to where they can perform.

Walsh appeared to be leaning toward Mark Jackson until he was interrupted by a phone call during the Kentucky Derby telecast. Suns general manager Steve Kerr was on the other end. He informed Walsh that DAntoni had permission to speak with other teams.

Hint. Hint.

I thought it was good fortune to get a coach like this, Walsh said. I thought that Mike was the best guy to choose because hes been in situations like we have right now, and he did a good job in those situations.

SEASON HIGHLIGHT: There wasnt anything happening on the court all season to get excited about, so New York didnt react until the Knicks went out and hired Donnie Walsh as the new president of basketball operations with two weeks to go in the season. It was a signal that ownership was no longer charmed by Isiah Thomas, who failed to deliver in four-plus seasons as president and two seasons as head coach and was fired.

TURNING POINT: Embattled head coach Isiah Thomas lost respect in the locker room after Stephon Marbury learned he might get benched on a flight to Phoenix where the Knicks were kicking off the first extended road trip of the season. Marbury went AWOL for a game, and when he came back, Thomas gave the controversial point guard extended minutes against the wishes of his teammates. When the Knicks got home following the winless trip out West, they had a 2-7 record and no confidence.

NOTES, QUOTES

—The Knicks got the sixth pick when the Draft Lottery was held May 20.

—Knicks president Donnie Walsh probably isnt done hiring, but hell wait until after the draft to find a general manager. Hes relying on Glen Grunwald to organized the draft board, so theres no urgency to fill the position.

—Not only is Isiah Thomas collecting a ridiculous amount of money from the Knicks, he gets to see the world. According to the New York Post, team president Donnie Walsh asked him to go to France and Spain to scout potential lottery picks Danilo Gallinari and Nicolas Batum.

QUOTE TO NOTE: Sometimes youve got to be lucky in your timing, and I think the timing is right. I think these players will respond to do whatevers necessary to win. — Knicks coach Mike DAntoni, on selling his system to the players.

ROSTER REPORT

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jamal Crawford still throws up questionable shots, but he took another step forward in terms of stepping up to fill voids. When the Knicks lost Stephon Marbury for extended periods, he slid over and played the point. When the Knicks needed a voice in the locker room, he spoke up. Crawford averaged 20 points and five assists.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Stephon Marbury did not like hearing blame for the Knicks slow start and bolted a road trip for home. He took an extended leave following the death of his father, then shut down in January to have surgery on a cranky ankle. Marbury only appeared in 24 games, averaging 13.9 points and 4.7 assists, both career lows.

FREE AGENT FOCUS: Getting under the salary cap is a priority for new team president Donnie Walsh, but hes going to have to wait. He wont be shedding a lot of salary this summer by letting the likes of Fred Jones and Randolph Morris hit the free agent market. Both are role players who probably dont fit into future plans.

PLAYER NOTES:

—F David Lee isnt going to waste any time getting ready for the up-tempo style Mike DAntoni prefers. Hes already got a call in to Steve Nash, who spends most of the summer in Greenwich Village, to get together for a workout.

—G Stephon Marbury was among the trio of Knicks who showed up for the press conference to introduce Mike DAntoni, and was insistent he wants to stay in New York.

It doesnt matter, Marbury said. If Im here, Im here. If not, Ill go someplace else. Im just getting my mind and my body right. I love New York, but if I wasnt going to be here, then I wouldnt be here .

Guards Nate Robinson and Quentin Richardson were also on hand.

—Quentin Richardson flew in from Chicago to be reunited with Mike DAntoni, but its not going to earn him any favors once the season gets under way.

He obviously thought I was going to give him more shots if he came to the pres...