NEW YORK – The four remaining contests in the Knicks’ season were required only because there was a chance they would be the first to lose 60 games in the franchise’s 62-year history. And that is all. At 22-56, there aren’t many bright spots to speak of, aside from the futures of Wilson Chandler and David Lee.

Which has made Donnie Walsh’s appointment as team president one of the very few highlights during Isiah Thomas’ dismal four-year run.

Walsh, who was in attendance on Wednesday nights for Bobcats-Knicks last night –won by New York, 109-107- will decide his coach’s fate at the conclusion of the season. Logistics, and timing, have prevented him from speaking, extensively, with Thomas until now. But, Walsh expects that will be corrected before the season finale at -of all places- Conseco Fieldhouse, home of the Indiana Pacers.

Before a standing-room only audience inside the Garden’s conference room, Walsh outlined a plan of attack. Fiscal restraints remain a large part of the general idea. But, getting the house in order is still Priority One.

“I just back into town yesterday,” he admitted. “This was really the first day I was in [my new] office, and I haven’t had a chance to speak with anyone on the team side. I haven’t even seen Isiah since I been here.

“There is a lot to talk about, so it’s good that I keep an open mind.”

“Any conversations that I have with Donnie will remain private,” Thomas summarized earlier.

Standard fare. Thomas merely substituted the name of one boss [James Dolan] for another [Walsh].

However, he did break away from that exercise to impart some wisdom. Specifically, what is the meaning of a successful team. Thomas cited the organization’s two championships, but again slighted the 1994 and 1999 teams.

“New York has threatened to win a couple of times, but has never really won. We want to give the fans something that they can really be proud of. They haven’t been proud of this team since ’73.

“19-73,” Thomas added, as if they was any doubt what year he was referring to. “We play to win a championship. We want to hang that banner. That’s why we’re in it. Not for any other reason. I don’t think any fan in New York would disagree with what I’m saying.

“Say what you want, and do what you want but, one day, you’ll be asking me about a championship. I have extreme confidence that I’ll get it done here,” he said defiantly.

Regardless what happens to him, Tuesday’s pre-game festivities at the Palace in Auburn Hills will remain with him forever. The Detroit Pistons celebrated their 50th season in the NBA by welcoming back an elite group of personnel who’ve had the greatest impact on the organization. While more than 30 players were invited, only one coach was honored. Chuck Daly in. Larry Brown out.

When Thomas was asked, point-blank, if ‘Larry’ was snubbed last night, he responded with an incredulous look.

The question was clarified to include a last name.

Larry. Larry Brown.

“You’ll have to ask the people in Detroit about that,” he laughed, both heartily and by himself. “That is a different [question]. I’m sure there’s something else to talk about today.”

Thomas’ non-answer did not require a revision. There is still bad blood there. But, the fact that Thomas couldn’t put his personal feelings aside, and base an answer solely on Brown’s ‘body of work’, is all that is needs to be known.

According to the Pistons’ public relations staff, Brown –who led the organization to its third title in 2004, and nearly won again the following year -was omitted only because one coach could be feted. It was speculated that Brown’s hasty exit after the 2005 Finals, and subsequent riff with Bill Davidson, the team’s 85 year-old owner, was closer to the truth.

After all, Thomas had also irked Davidson –a recent Hall-of-Fame electee- with talk that he would run the organization after his playing days were over. Thomas, who only played for Detroit, has been linked to the Raptors, Pacers and Knicks since retiring in 1994. Joe Dumars, Thomas’ backcourt mate, was named the Pistons’ team president just before the 2000-2001 season began.

“[This celebration] gives me more confidence in the beliefs we have, and in what we’re trying to do in New York,” Thomas said after Tuesday’s victory. “It has recharged my battery and makes me want to push harder and further.”

Unless the Knicks’ push first.

Several names have been thrown around as potential replacements. Mark Jackson seems to have the inside track. But, Rick Carlisle is also there, along with Scott Skiles. Herb Williams, Thomas’ assistant, remains the fallback option.

*

By virtue of its 23rd victory, New York cannot lose more than 59 games. The Knicks have won three straight for the first time since January 13-16, 2008. New York had six players in double figures, led by Jamal Crawford’s 18 points. Crawford recorded his 5,000th point, passing Phil Jackson for 27th place on the team’s all-time scoring list. Jason Richardson led Charlotte with 25 points and 10 boards.

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