Stephon Marbury said yesterday it was a blessing that Knick owner James Dolan put the heat on Isiah Thomas by giving the new coach a one-year ultimatum, believing that Dolan's pronouncement is motivation for the whole team.

"That's a good thing he said that," Marbury said. "It makes us better. That's the best time to perform, when there's pressure. You're either going to do it or you're not. We're used to doing it."