Kurt Thomas, despite the numbers he’s put up there in his first two games at center, hasn’t warmed to the idea of playing in the middle. However, his presence there is making things easier for everyone around him.

There’s no coincidence that entering last night’s game against the Lakers the Knicks had won two straight games with No. 40 in the middle and apparently stitched up what was a leaky defense all year.

“Kurt is a great defender and a great help defender,” Jamal Crawford said. “So he’s always in position to help.”

Crawford and fellow guards like Stephon Marbury have enjoyed a sort of confidence on the defensive end with Thomas at center that’s made life much easier for them. There is no longer a fear that when they get beat there won’t be anyone back there to bail them out.

“I felt confident before, but I know those guys are going to be there,” Crawford said. “It’s a good feeling.”

Since the deadline deals that shipped centers Nazr Mohammed to San Antonio and Vin Baker to Houston, Thomas became the Knicks’ starting center and excelled in the middle, giving the team a kind of inside presence and help on defense they have not had all season. While Mohammed was a bigger body under the hoop, his balky groin prevented him from providing the mobility and defensive edge Thomas is famous for in the paint.

In two games since the deadline, Thomas averaged 18.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per in two straight Knick wins against Philadelphia and Indiana. He began heating up even before the trade winds began to swirl, pulling down 17 rebounds at Detroit last week. His season high is a 21-rebound effort Feb. 5 at Phoenix.

Thomas continues to draw the most talented big man on the defensive end.

“I just feel comfortable with him,” head coach Herb Williams said.