By MARC BERMAN

Herb Williams does not incite the ferocious reaction that Stephon Marbury always does on this blog. The ultimate survivor, Herb is expected to be at least interviewed by Donnie Walsh for the head job and we wrote about him in the paper today, recalling him being two days away from being named the permanent head coach before Larry Brown stepped down in Detroit.

Is Herb too bland a choice? He’s a very hard worker, class act, consistent in his beliefs. Herb does not carry the same air as Mark Jackson. Two very different people. Both Herb and Jackson will need strong, veteran assistant coaches. Is Herb the right guy?

Today is a big day in Knicksland. It’s their first official practice in three weeks as Isiah vies to top Brown’s win total in 2005-2006 tomorrow vs. the Celtics.