New York fans have spoken, and Knicks president and GM Scott Layden may want to cover his ears.

Latrell Sprewell is gone, Keith Van Horn has arrived and the Knicks faithful had plenty of bad things to say about last night's four-team, six-player deal that sent away the most popular Knick and brought in the No.2pick from the 1997 draft who has never lived up to his billing.

"You never trade an All-Star for a small star," Jordan Battiste of Queens said. "Besides, (Sprewell) embodies New York well."

Battiste wasn't the only one to identify the four-time All-Star as a Garden favorite.

"He's like the team," said a 20-year-old female fan from Toronto. "When you think of the Knicks, you think of Latrell Sprewell."

The kindness wasn't extended to the player New York got in the trade.

"Van Horn? I don't know," said an Allan Houston-jersey wearing Mark Singleton. "I don't see where he's going to help them. I don't see where they are going to replace Spree."