SAN ANTONIO – During this most-recent Knick crisis, Cablevision’s James Dolan has actually shown leadership.

Dolan, who joined the club for the first two days of their Texas swing, has lightened the mood for a reeling club ready to fracture. He schmoozed with players before yesterday’s morning shootaround at the AlamoDome and joked with embattled coach Don Chaney about the stomach woes caused by the Mexican beans they shared the night before at dinner.

In an attempt to change his reclusive image, Dolan said in a rare interview that he made the trip so the players don’t look at ownership as “a nameless, faceless, soulless corporation,” adding “I’m trying not to be just a signature on the bottom of the check. It’s something I’m doing to let them know I’m not a mystery.”

Though sources say he’s concerned the team is fragmenting, Dolan claimed he didn’t make the trip to put Chaney or the players under a microscope, but for them to get to know him. Dolan said he planned to make one road trip with the Knicks and Rangers back in September, though it’s believed he didn’t finalize plans until two weeks ago after Chaney became coach.

“I have no basketball skills, mentally or physically,” Dolan said. “Do you think I have to point out how their record is? They know how they’re doing. I say to them, what do you need. What can I do to help.”

Dolan, who will join the Rangers on a March trip, said this jaunt was convenient because following tonight’s Houston game, he will shoot over to Vegas for a consumer electronics convention.

Wearing a white, short-sleeved polo with a Knick insignia, an engaging Dolan said, “Normally I’m a friendly person. You might not think so … I don’t know what [the players’] relationship was with Dave [Checketts]. They’re part of the company. I’m trying to become familiar with every aspect of my organization and this one has been a little elusive. I’m making an extra effort to get to know both teams.”

Latrell Sprewell, who had a strong relationship with Checketts, is impressed. “[Dolan] was pretty cool on the plane,” Sprewell said. “Interacting with guys, talking to us, really friendly. That was more surprising.”

Dolan gave no indication Chaney is in trouble. Though he wouldn’t talk basketball, Dolan indirectly supported Chaney by praising one of the executives of an umbrella retail company that lost $50 million in 2001. Saying he knows as little about basketball as retail, Dolan said, “I’m not happy with how Nobody beats the Wiz is performing. I don’t have a whole lot of retail skills, also. But I have an expert who I’ve hired who started this year who is on a good track to get it in good shape. I support him.”

When asked if it looks like he’s looking over Chaney’s shoulder, Dolan said, jokingly: “He’s too big to look over his shoulder.”

Layden supported Chaney, saying: “We have a lot of confidence in our coach and coaching staff, That hasn’t wavered.” Layden added that the Knicks are being aggressive on the trade front as usual.

While Chaney’s job seems safe the rest of the year, partly because bringing in a new coach at this stage is not feasible, Dolan indicated the Knicks would need to get to the playoffs for the coach to stick around. No bombshell there. The question is, does he have to win one round?

“It’s important for the team to make the playoffs,” said Dolan.