Maybe D'Antoni knew all of this already. But it is reinforced whenever he commutes from his home in Westchester into Manhattan. It was hammered home a few weeks ago, when he took his family to the August Wilson Theater to watch "Jersey Boys," and all along his walk on 52nd Street people shouted encouragement at him, all during his night inside the theater people recognized him and waved and flashed thumbs-ups.

"That when it really hit me," D'Antoni said. "It's just everywhere in the city, ordering coffee, at the deli, at a restaurant, inside the theater, people just want to say good luck and you can tell how much the team means to them. It's amazing. The Knicks have a special place in the city and everybody wants them back there."

It won't be this year. It may not be as soon as anyone wants. But starting tonight, finally, New York gets its basketball team back. Starting tonight, finally, the Knicks start winning their soul back.

News » D'Antoni restores hope for NYC hoops
D'Antoni restores hope for NYC hoops
The first time, the first taste, was March 1967, a few months before Mike D'Antoni's 16th birthday. Walt Frazier would introduce himself to the Garden and to the world that week at the National Invitation Tournament, win the MVP as he led Southern Illinois to the title, provide an unwitting flash of magic soon to blossom. It was another point guard that brought the D'Antoni family north, though, lured them to the big city from Mullens, W. Va. Danny D'Antoni was playing for Marshall, and the Herd won a couple of games, beating Villanova in overtime in the first round and burying Nebraska in the second before Marquette finally sent them back home in the semis. NBA roundup New-look Knicks open Wednesday Giants DE's rehab ahead of schedule Sherman: Rain gives Series juice More from The New York Post