How happy was Isiah Thomas after last night’s rousing Knick victory?

So happy that he had a nice word – albeit just one – when he heard that Larry Brown had been officially hired as executive VP of the Sixers.

“Congratulations,” Thomas said, an astonishing gush given the ugly breakup between Brown and Thomas following Brown’s one-season, 23-59 Knick tenure last year.

As expected, the Sixers announced early today that Brown, 66, has rejoined the team he coached to the 2001 Finals.

The move came nearly three weeks after Philly traded Allen Iverson – with whom Brown had clashed as coach – to the Nuggets.

Brown had been acting as an unofficial Sixers consultant, and advised team president Billy King on the Iverson trade.