Stevejannace

Make no mistake, it is owned by James Dolan and run by Thomas, but until this franchise can find someone strong enough - and talented enough - to take the ball from him, this is Marbury's team.

The controversial point guard had the ball back in his hands and had total control of it and his team in last night's 113-109 win over the Jazz at the Garden. It was a vintage performance by Marbury, who had 28 points, six assists, two steals and even blocked a shot in 36 minutes, 41 seconds.

The Knicks (4-9) won their second straight game after an eight-game losing streak that included Marbury infamously going AWOL on the team in Phoenix when Thomas informed him he'd be going to the bench.

On the surface, it appears Thomas won this battle of wills. He is now getting the most out of his $20-million point guard.

"I thought Marbury was great," Thomas said. "Just from start to finish, he was great."

Thomas, alluding to his public feud with Marbury, said you "don't have to get on him too often, but you do have to remind him sometimes how good he should be."

But before you give credit, look closer. It can be argued that Marbury actually emerged the victor over his coach. Just hear him explain the difference between the past two games, in which he was easily the Knicks' best player, and the previous 11.

"I have the ball more, that's pretty much it," Marbury said. "When I have the ball more and am able to create and make plays, I can get into a nice flow. Coming into this year, I was trying to pick up from last year at the end of the season. But that didn't happen. But, with time, everything will happen."

When asked if his improved play, most notably on defense, was a result of his tete a tete with Thomas, Marbury bristled.

"I mean, that's over with," he said. "We played a really good game tonight."

Zach Randolph had 25 points and 14 rebounds and Jamal Crawford 22 points for the Knicks.