Isiah invokes Al Davis

By MARC BERMAN

Isiah Thomas said he didn’t need a public vote of confidence from owner James Dolan, who was not in attendance for today’s Chicago matinee, his baseline seats left empty.

Thomas instead invoked Al Davis’ â€��Just Win, Baby’’ in a speech that mirrored by column days before opening day. Thomas was quite expansive during his pregame meeting with writers, telling the media we’ve been more justified in ripping him. It was quite unusual again for Isiah to admit stuff like that. He’s all out of spin.

“I really don’t look at it that way,’’ Thomas said this morning before the tip-off. “The most important thing we have to do to quiet it is win games. There’s no ownership statement. You got to win games. That’s what we’’re in the business for. We win games, the temperament will change. We don’t win games the temperament will stay the way it is.

“This type of track record of basketball is not what I’m accustomed to,’’ Thomas said. “I think it was Al Davis, who said, “Just win, baby, we got to win. That’s the bottom line.’’

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Jeff Van Gundy has as much chance of coaching the Knicks as Latrell Sprewell but even hurt that chance in his radio interview with Patrick McEnroe on ESPN Radio. VG took a sideswipe at James Dolan for not supporting Thomas during this crisis that saw the Knicks leader dolled up as a turkey on the front page of The Post on Thanksgiving amidst a report a Knicks intermediary informally gauged Chris Mullin’s interest while he’s been in New York for the Golden State game and the Thanksgiving holiday.

VG said when he coached the Knicks, his bosses were Dave Checketts and Ernie Grunfeld and he always got support.

VG’s best line was ripping Pistons reserve Flip Murry for burying the Knicks for “not competing.’’

“Let me start with Flip Murray. Don’t behind Tayshaun and Chauncey and those guys who led you to a blowout and then come out and kill the Knicks. If Chauncey, wants to kill the Knicks, Wallace, Tayshaun, Rip, that’s one thing. But for Flip Murray to take that potshot at other NBA players. I think is uncalled for.’’