Maurice Taylor isn’t exactly going to help the Knicks correct their defensive woes. Taylor has been stuck on the injured list for weeks because the Rockets got on a roll and Jeff Van Gundy didn’t want to mess with their chemistry.

Taylor is a poor defender not in the mold of a Jeff Van Gundy player. “The Knicks don’t have guys who can score with their back to the basket like him,” said one assistant who’s coached Taylor. “But he doesn’t rebound. He doesn’t defend. What he can really do is score.”

It’s no surprise Taylor was not one of Van Gundy’s pets. “He’s not a hard, hard worker,” the coach said. “So he’s not going to endear himself to coaches. He’s not a guy who brings it every day.”

Taylor remained on the injured list despite being in top health. The Rockets felt Clarence Weatherspoon and Scott Padgett were better contributors and they need Spoon to defend Tim Duncan.

At 6-9, Taylor averaged just 4.3 rebounds in 23.8 minutes, playing only 38 games. He was avenging 7.8 points but had just 16 starts. Michael Sweetney is the lone post player the Knicks have and it’s likely the Knicks will start the second-year power forward over Taylor, who may have to get into game shape.

Jamal Crawford knows Taylor from Michigan, though they did not play together. Taylor and Crawford have spoken many times as Wolverine alums. “He’s very talented,” Crawford said. “He can do a lot of good things.”

Malik Rose, who came over in the San Antonio portion of the deal, is a solid defender but an undersized power forward. Isiah Thomas said he’s a “solid piece” adding defense and toughness.

Three of the four players the Knicks traded, Vin Baker, Moochie Norris and Jamison Brewer, were out of the rotation. Norris, a former Rocket, and Brewer flipflopped on the injured list all season. Both Houston and San Antonio made the deals to save money while the Knicks get two guys in Taylor and Rose who will be in the rotation.