NBA

NO BULL, KNICKS CAN’T TAKE CHICAGO LIGHTLY

Isiah Thomas wears rose colored glasses to protect his eyes from permanent damage. As president and coach of this catastrophe, it’s safer to stare into the sun and count to a thousand than watch the Knicks without those glasses.

Yesterday, upon further review of the Knicks’ 117-110 loss to the Sonics a night earlier, Thomas saw progress.

“I thought we had a good game offensively, so we made a step in the right direction,” Thomas said. “Now we’ve got to put together a good offensive game with a good defensive game.”

Sure, the Knicks had their highest offensive output in three weeks, but they couldn’t guard anybody, starting with rookie Kevin Durant, who dominated in the second half and finished with 30 points.

Now the Knicks get a rematch against a team they actually have beaten this season. But tonight at Chicago should be a little more challenging than last time, if for no other reason than Luol Deng, who was sidelined for the Bulls’ visit to Madison Square Garden last month, is back in action and creating problems for opponents, averaging 17.5 points and 6.7 rebounds.

At least the Knicks (6-15) will have the comfort of playing away from the stench they have created in the Garden.

“We’re staying together as a team,” center Eddy Curry said. “Nobody is self-destructing around here, everybody is still positive and still focused and we’re going to keep playing hard through the boos and whatever adversity we come into contact with.”

It will be another game without Stephon Marbury as he continues to mourn the death of his father. Quentin Richardson, who sprained his right knee in Wednesday’s game and didn’t play in the second half, also might remain sidelined. Jamal Crawford carried the offensive load against the Sonics, scoring 29 points and totaling six assists.

The Knicks have to take every opponent seriously, but they especially should consider the Bulls (7-13) buried Seattle 123-96 a night before the Sonics arrived at the Garden. It was the most points scored by Chicago in a regulation game since 1997.

“I went back and watched the tape and for as bad as Seattle was the other night in Chicago, they were really good (Wednesday),” Thomas said. “We’ve got to give them some credit too, they played a good game on what was a bad night for us. Because I didn’t think we played that poorly (Wednesday), Seattle played better.”

Thomas’ message to his floundering team remains consistent.

“Just keep working,” he said. “I only know one way to do it, just to work your (tail) off with the players, just keep grinding and drilling them and keep getting them comfortable in the things they normally do.”

mpuma@nypost.com