The bottom line is talent. And Latrell Sprewell has plenty of that. So a Hall of Fame player who came to symbolize the New York Knicks saw no problem with his former team acquiring the controversial guard.

“He’s a heckuva player,” offered Willis Reed, a senior VP for the Nets, a team whose officials yesterday spent a lot of time talking about character and community. “He’ll do very well. I’ve enjoyed watching him play but when he’s playing at the top of his ability, it makes them a tougher team for us to beat. I hope he doesn’t play that well against us.

“He paid a big price for what he’s done, and now we have to give him a chance to prove or disprove he’s learned his lesson,” Reed said.