What will Madison Square Garden's mad scientist do next? Break up one of the league's best backcourts by trading Allan Houston? Ship off Keith Van Horn while he plays the best basketball of his career? Bring in the noted malcontent Rasheed Wallace just when the Knicks are riding a chemistry high, full of smiles and compliments?

Isiah Thomas, the Knicks' trigger-happy president, has everyone on edge. Players are afraid to read the newspapers, fans expect him to acquire another superstar any minute, rival executives envy his unlimited spending ability.

"Having been a player and also been a coach, you always want to be the best and you always strive to be the best," Thomas said yesterday in a telephone interview. "And our players demand that I try to keep improving the team to be the best. Until you're the best, you're always trying to improve."

Asked if he worries about tinkering too much too soon with the Knicks, Thomas responded quickly and succinctly, "No."