While claiming the hiring of Larry Brown as coach is a “no-brainer,” point guard Stephon Marbury yesterday during a radio interview guaranteed the Knicks will make the playoffs regardless of who is coaching the team.

“How can you not be supportive of Larry Brown being the coach? He’s one of the best coaches to coach the game. For me, it’s a no-brainer. I’m not going to make this complicated, it’s a no-brainer,” Marbury, who butted heads with Brown over style on the Olympic team, said on ESPN radio in New York. “If Herb [Williams] was the coach, with our team we’d still be good. [But] Larry Brown brings something totally different to the table because of his experience.

“We’re making the playoffs. I’m guaranteeing it. We’re making the playoffs,” insisted Marbury who claimed “I would be happy about it” if Brown were hired.