getting worse every day...

The building known as Madison Square Garden is not one space but two — a hallowed arena attached to a less venerable theater. The Knicks, having proven themselves inept on the hardwood, might consider relocating to the stage next door. At the moment, they are far more compelling as a soap opera than as a basketball team.

With the season lost and the next makeover months away, there is nothing left to do but point fingers, grouse and feud, and Stephon Marbury and Coach Larry Brown have perfected the routine this week.

Their dramatic sideshow moved into its third day as Brown and Marbury took turns assailing each other's character and motives. Theirs is not a dialogue but a series of monologues. All that is missing in their theater of the absurd is the microphone, curtains and overpriced drinks.

In a caustic debate over playing styles, Brown played his trump card Tuesday, citing 30-plus years of coaching success. Marbury fired back yesterday by playing the psychoanalysis card: He called Brown insecure.

"If Coach is comparing his career to my career, he's got like a 20-year edge on me," Marbury said after the morning shoot-around. "To me, that sounds like there's a lot of insecurities going on."

Marbury added: "I think it's personal now. I don't think it's about basketball anymore."