If it makes Scott Layden feel any better, the Knicks president should know that some of the same folks calling for his firing during Thursday's NBA Draft were also chanting for him to select St. John's guard Marcus Hatten in the second round.

In just a few New York minutes Layden regained a small measure of credibility while some fans lost a little.

Layden and the Knicks emerged from the draft as early winners. The selection of power forward Mike Sweetney from Georgetown was a safe pick while getting Polish 7-footer Maciej Lampe, a projected lottery pick, in the second round could be a steal.

"No matter what moves you make you always need a little luck," Don Chaney said. "And we sure could use some. Last year we didn't have any."

The Knicks thought they had struck it rich after the 2002 draft by acquiring Antonio McDyess in a trade and picking Yugoslavian point guard Milos Vujanic in the second round. Neither played last season and with McDyess still recovering from a knee injury and Vujanic under contract in Italy there is a strong chance that neither player will make an appearance this year.

Layden has been around long enough to realize that Thursday's success at the NBA Draft was minor, perhaps even fleeting. And that the real season for Layden begins this week with the start of free agency and the summer trading frenzy.