While Knicks GM Scott Layden has gone ga-ga over Yao Ming, Nets GM Rod Thorn is less enthused.

Thorn, who still made it to Chicago for the Ming workout Wednesday amidst his playoff madness, said “He’s a small forward. He’s not a center, at least not now. He obviously made shots, but you don’t know anything about his toughness. He’s got nothing upstairs (in the upper body).”

Commissioner David Stern sarcastically took a dig at Jerry West and Quentin Richardson, who were critical of Ming’s workout. “I’ll leave the opinions to West and Richardson,” Stern said. “He’s progressed tremendously.”