The New York Post reports that Latrell Sprewell could return to action in two weeks, but he is unsure whether he will still be a Knick by then.

Despite his one-game suspension for failing to adhere to his rehab program, Sprewell said he's ahead of schedule in returning from a broken right pinkie. If he returns in two weeks, he would only miss the first week of the season.

Sprewell realizes that the only people who believe in him right now are the Knicks? players. He has received several calls of support from his teammates even though he has not attended any practices this pre-season.

"I think my teammates have been great," Sprewell said. "They obviously want to see me back as part of this team and I wish I could be. But right now, management is definitely trying to keep me away.

"To me, [management's] been making up all these excuses about how I've been a distraction to the team. I really don't see it. You guys know what I put into it, how hard I play. I play hurt, play sick, done all I could to help this team get better. I've played out of position. I've never said anything bad about the organization. For them to treat me this way, I think it's totally unfair."

Of his relationship with GM Scott Layden and Garden prez Steve Mills, Sprewell said, "I don't know if it can ever be the same."