NBA

ZEKE SAYS NO DEALS IN SIGHT

Isiah Thomas made another alarming New Year’s resolution yesterday. One day after saying he deserves to stay on as coach, Thomas claimed he doesn’t want to make deals at next month’s trading deadline.

Must have been Isiah’s New Year’s hangover doing the talking.

The first day of 2008 came with that bizarre proclamation. Thomas believes he’s got the players in-house to change the course of the crumbling franchise, saying the Knicks a “good nucleus.”

It’s difficult to believe he doesn’t desperately want to trade everybody, including the fans who are growing tired of chanting “Fire Isiah.” Perhaps owner James Dolan won’t give him authorization to make another blockbuster, especially one that adds significant payroll.

Even if Dolan is sticking with Teflon Thomas this month because he doesn’t want to make it seem the franchise is giving up on the season, the owner probably has made the decision Thomas will be gone after the year.

Also, the trade value of his players has plummeted.

“I really don’t foresee that,” Thomas said when asked about making moves at Feb. 21’s trade deadline. “I don’t see us being active at the trade deadline. Simply, because this is the time where you’re down, you make mistakes, mistakes that will cost you years and everything you’ve worked for the last three, four years. You can make a mistake here that sets you back another three, four years.”

*

Jamal Crawford said he plans to play tonight after missing one game with a sore hand. Crawford wore a white glove at practice but said it affected his shooting, and that he hopes to take it off for the game. … Stephon Marbury still isn’t talking but is probably suiting up tonight in his first game since the Indiana loss Dec. 17. The Knicks are 3-10 since Marbury’s father died. … Jerome James, whom Isiah believes can give them an interior defensive presence for 10 minutes a night, has passed his fitness test, clearing him to play, but will not be active tonight because of a swollen foot.