Spurs107Knicks90SAN ANTONIO – In contrast to his young coaching counterpart, the Suns’ Scott Skiles, who all but challenged Kurt Thomas to a fight Wednesday night, Jeff Van Gundy has experienced a mellow preseason.

It’s unclear if Sept. 11th has had a profound effect on Van Gundy’s sky-is-falling personality, but Mr. Gloom and Doom has been Mr. Bland across the first two-and-half weeks during his media sessions. His milquetoast manner is keeping in line with the mood of a war-torn nation.

“I’ve never tried to be critical,” Van Gundy said before last night’s 107-90 blowout loss to San Antonio. “When I’m asked a question, I may say we didn’t play well but that’s not critical. I’m just being honest.”

Even after last night’s rout which showed the Knicks’ glaring rebounding weakness (47-34), Van Gundy remained calm and did not question their pride, heart or effort. Again, they were led in rebounding by a perimeter player, Latrell Sprewell, who had eight. Felton Spencer, starting in place of Marcus Camby, had no rebounds in 18 minutes.

Van Gundy’s lack of negativity this preseason is in stark contrast to last October when he called his team “fat” on opening day and branded the club a “bullbleep” team after an exhibition loss to the Nets.

His tone, too, is a little softer with the players. “He’s a little mellower,” Camby said. “But it’s early. Ask me in two months. He’s been easier to get along with.”

Sprewell believes Van Gundy toned down his negativity after his chat with Luc Longley last January during which the center said his gloomy tone was turning off players. There are three other theories to Van Gundy’s lighter approach:

1. Though he still expects a strong season and to overachieve, he understands the low expectations are fair, with the talent on hand.

2. The Sept. 11 attacks hit close to home with Van Gundy, who lost his college roommate in the Trade Center collapse.

3. Van Gundy has just two years on his four-year, $14 million contract. If the Knicks have a poor season, the perception is Cablevision’s James Dolan will make a change and not allow him to enter the final year of his contract as a lame duck. Van Gundy, after last season’s wild, controversy-filled post-Patrick season, may not want to cause waves.

With Van Gundy keeping a low profile, Skiles, at 37 the league’s youngest coach, put himself in the middle of the cauldron the Knicks coach is used to being in. Before getting ejected, Skiles threatened Thomas in the fourth quarter Wednesday, telling him he’s lucky he wasn’t still a player and out there on the court.