NBA

D’ANTONI POINTS TO DUHON OVER STEPH

Chris Duhon is a winner, period.

That was Mike D’Antoni’s explanation yesterday on why he has all but chosen Duhon as the Knicks’ starting point guard over Stephon Marbury. Duhon has looked barely adequate at best during three preseason games, but that hasn’t stopped D’Antoni from glowing.

D’Antoni’s most detailed support of Duhon came two days after Marbury said “I’m a starter, period,” following the Knicks’ preseason loss to Philadelphia.

MORE: Knicks Blog

D’Antoni, whose Knicks (1-2 in preseason) face the world-champion Celtics tonight at the new Boston Garden, pointed to Duhon’s career at Duke and with Chicago, where the Bulls made the playoffs his first three years in the league before flaming out last season.

At Duke, Duhon guided the Blue Devils to three ACC championships, two Final Fours and the NCAA title in 2000-2001. The knock on Marbury is that his teams have not had perennial success, making the playoffs four times in 12 seasons. The Marbury-led Knicks have missed the playoff four straight seasons.

“It’s not like we’re coming off a championship,” D’Antoni said.

“(There’s) some gut feelings,” D’Antoni added. “People underestimate Duhon. I think he’s a really good basketball player and what he does is win. But I don’t want to compare him to Steph. I don’t think it’s fair.”

D’Antoni’s impression of Duhon has been shaped by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, a close friend under whom the Knicks coach served this summer as an assistant for the U.S. Olympic team.

“The guy has come from organizations and places where they won,” D’Antoni said. “I’ve seen his career where he’s playing on teams where he’s on top or overachieved.”

After going scoreless in 20 minutes Tuesday against the 76ers, with six assists and no turnovers, Marbury made it clear he didn’t agree with his coach on his new sixth-man role after 12 seasons as a starter. But Marbury also made clear he’s willing to see this through.

“I’m still trying to figure my space on the court,” Marbury said yesterday. “But as long as I’m on the court, that’s the most important thing. We’re pros. That’s what we’re supposed to do, adjust to the situation.”

D’Antoni claimed he wasn’t bothered by Marbury’s “I’m a starter, period” remark.

“His mindset should be he’s an All-Star,” D’Antoni said. “He should never lose confidence he’s one of the better players in the league. But we’re going to try to fit everyone in a role that’s beneficial for the Knicks.”

Duhon had seven turnovers in the preseason opener and another four Tuesday, including two in the final two minutes of crunch time. Part of Duhon’s value is so microscopic, you can’t even see it watching the game, D’Antoni said.

“He makes energy plays that make a team perform at a better rate,” D’Antoni said. “Sometimes it doesn’t show in stats or just watching a game. You have to watch it on film and dissect. I really like the little things of being able to tell guys you need to be here. You can’t measure that.”

When reports surfaced this summer Marbury would be waived, he looked at the Celtics as a potential destination and said he’d be happy as a reserve to Rajan Rondo. The question is if he’ll thrive as a reserve in his hometown.

*

D’Antoni sounds like he’s ready to make June vacation plans already. “I don’t think we’re going to win a cham pionship this year,” he said.

marc.berman@nypost.com