When the Phonenix Suns and the New Jersey Nets exchanged point guards Stephon Marbury and Jason Kidd most thought it was an even trade.... until they saw the way Kidd turned around his new, struggling franchise.

Kidd quickly was able to achieve what Stephon only dreamed about, to turn a team with a strong history of losing into a winner.  The Nets were no longer the selfish unit they were the year before Kidd arived in town, nor were they down in the cellar.  While the fans did not flock to see them play the Nets were once again exciting, Kidd's all round leadership carrying the team to the NBA Finals the last two seasons only to fall to the Lakers then the Spurs.

Marbury, on the other hand, had also tasted some success in Phoenix.  He made the Western All-Star team and took the Suns into the playoffs, putting on a spectacular show in the first round before falling to the eventual champion Spurs.  The Suns struggled this season and Marbury was eventually traded half way through the season to the team he had always dreamed of - the Knicks.

Looking back it is easy to assume that the Nets got the better of the deal.  Kidd was able to do what Marbury couldn't - make the Nets winners - many believing that Kidd deserved the league's Most Valuable Player award last season over winner Tim Duncan.

If you ask Baron Davis of the New Orleans Hornets Stephon Marbury is the man, not Kidd.  

"Stephon is younger, more talented," Davis told The Post. "Physically, he's probably the most talented point guard in the league. There's always room for improvement and he's a hard worker, so every year he's going to improve."

Marbury is one of many new faces in New York since the season began, and he is probably the biggest reason the team's fortunes were able to do a 180 to qualify for this year's playoffs.  Before his arrival the words "Knicks" and "playoffs" were usually accompanied by the words "how long until".

Kidd's Nets and Marbury's Knicks looked destined to meet in the opening round of the Playoffs before New York's improbable come-from-behind win last night, putting them in good position to finish one spot higher in sixth place, leading to a matchup with the Pistons.  The Nets, however, are not quite of the agenda just yet with even Davis anxious to see the two go head to head.

"There's always a comparison there because of the trade," Davis said. "That's one of the playoff series I'm looking forward to watching. I know both players - inside - are looking forward to that matchup and that battle."

Davis is friends with Marbury, having worked out with him in his native L.A. during the summer. Davis loves visiting New York and played against Marbury in Harlem's Rucker League games.

When told most experts consider Kidd the league's best point guard, Davis said, "If that's what they say. Of course (Jason's) accomplished great things being in the East, going to the Finals twice. You're always measured by your victories. But right now he is the best point guard in the league because of what he's done."