Jan. 5, 4:48 p.m.: Welcome Stephon

Acquisition of Stephon Marbury can only make the Knicks better.

By: Hank Kalet
   First blush: Trading Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess, Marciej Lampe, two picks and the Yugoslavian point guard that wanted no part of the Big Apple to Phoenix for Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway and an extra, useless big body makes ultimate sense.
   Marbury can play at a level that no one on the Knicks manages on a consistent basis. He is that rarity — a 20-point point guard who also dishes out 8 assists a game. All other considerations — what it does to the cap, whether Marbury is a winner — are secondary to the fact that they Knicks now have a legitimate player worth watching.
   Will they will the title this year? Next year? Anytime soon? Not without other major changes or the acquisition of Shaq. But at least it might be fun for a while. Let’s hope the deal goes through.