"D-Day is finally here and the Knicks remain convinced -- after two years of maneuvering for this moment -- that the D won't stand for Doom.

Even as a flurry of competitors clears out more cap space, the Knicks, who have slipped to underdog status in the LeBron James Derby, are unbowed. They still feel they have a shot to land King James on Broadway.

"We still think we're in it," a member of the Knicks' brain trust said yesterday. "Our internal sources tell us we're in it."

Their July journey begins tonight when owner James Dolan and the Knicks' recruiting team fly to Los Angeles to meet with free agent Joe Johnson after the free-agent period begins officially at midnight. An Atlanta official confirmed Johnson first has a meeting with the Hawks at 9 p.m. Pacific Time.

The Knicks got confirmation yesterday they are slated next. Johnson had debated whether to delay his meetings to Friday, a source said."