"Chris Duhon didn't exactly remind Knicks fans of Clyde Frazier or Earl "The Pearl" Monroe with his performance at point guard last season. And the club wasn't shy in acknowledging a pursuit of potential replacements during the offseason through the draft, free agency and the trade market.

When the dust settled and camp began, Duhon still was the top floor general on the roster. The 27-year-old former Duke Blue Devil, who is entering his second season with the Knicks, ironically feels more comfortable than he did a year ago when he was first brought to the team.

"I'm more comfortable with everything," Duhon said after yesterday's practice in Greenburgh, "the coaches, the players, the whole organization. It's easier for me to go out and be myself."

Being himself means playing smart basketball and not turning over the ball. Duhon was decent last year, when he averaged career highs of 11.1 points and 7.2 assists in 36.8 minutes per game. But he isn't what the Knicks crave at point guard -- a dynamic playmaker who really makes coach Mike D'Antoni's frenetic offense click, like Steve Nash did when D'Antoni coached in Phoenix.

Duhon took the offseason speculation in stride, and feels he and the team are going to improve on last year.

"[The coaches] are still teaching but not as much," Duhon said. "Everybody understands what Coach wants from us. We understand what we need from each other. It's just a matter of doing it on a consistent basis and playing with an energy level that is worthy of us winning games." "