NEW YORK — This may be a first (and a last) in the New York metro area.

Inevitably, if one newspaper endorses a certain candidate for a powerful political position, its rivals will endorse someone else. The same holds true in sports regarding top-shelf managerial and coaching vacancies.

Even columnists on the same payroll habitually disagree on such subjects, if for no other reason than not to agree, no matter what, with the deep-rooted, insufferable comp. My supporting somebody guarantees backing for someone else by an adversary and so forth.

Hallowed be our shallowness.

Mark Jackson is a phenomenon. By fusing the feuding forces of the media from Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey he has accomplished the unthinkable.

To a person — unless I've missed a dissenting voice — we believe (as do those throughout the league with a stable hand on its pulse) there's nobody available more capable to replace Isiah Thomas as Knicks coach than New York's very own communications leader, who has 17 years of coaching experience as an on-the-floor assistant.

Jackson and the job are custom made for each other. Never again would we have to hear the lame mantra from a sobbing Knicks coach or player about how tough it is to win in New York.

The 43-year-old grew up here. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens ("I'm the only guy claimed by both boroughs . . . and rightfully so," he court jests), he excelled at Loughlin High School, St. John's University and as a Knick.

His home away from home is Madison Square Garden. Jackson's connection with fans and those covering the NBA is friction-free.

Who doesn't revere his basketball opinion?

Is there any ex-player who possesses a keener sense of humor and richer respect for franchise (and league) history?

More important maybe than anything is that newly appointed Knicks president Donnie Walsh liked what Jackson did for the Pacers to such a degree he traded for him twice.

Walsh first obtained the seven-year veteran from the Clippers on June 30, 1994. Two years later, Jackson essentially was dealt to the Nuggets for Jalen Rose; Larry Brown felt Travis Best and Haywoode Workman were equipped to handle the playmaking.

Walsh corrected the mistake Feb. 20, 1997, but the psychiatrist arrived too late to come to the team's emotional/playoff rescue; Next Town Brown was on his way to Philadelphia.

In the three subsequent seasons, Larry Bird's Pacers played in 50 playoff games, climaxed by a runnerup 2000 finish (six games) to the Lakers. Larry Legend left coaching afterward and Jackson signed a free-agent contract with the Raptors when, ahem, Isiah Thomas, Indy's incoming coach, showed perforated enthusiasm in retaining his services.

Accordingly, should Walsh reach out to Jackson for help a third time, it's additional motivation to delete The False Prophet from the Knicks re-organization.

Back then Thomas viewed Jackson's knowledge, counseling and sway with the players as a threat. You tell me, should Walsh allow him to stay on the premises would Thomas root harder for or against Jackson?

OK, let's summarize: When Walsh fires Thomas and should he hire Jackson it'll give him a triple-double in his first month as Knicks president without so much as lacing up an old pair of sneakers — three helpings of Jackson and twice dishing off Thomas.

Contrary to what a couple of those same fiction writers purport, Mark Jackson is not being considered by Walsh for a Knicks' managerial position. Neither is Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien, yet his name continues to get floated by those who pretend to have sources close to Walsh.

* * * * *

I'M HEARING (unconfirmed) Shaquille O'Neal and his estranged wife lately are discussing a reconciliation instead of a divorce . . . Amare Stoudemire's mom is due to get out of prison next week or the week after . . . a source close to UCLA's Kevin Love says he has definitely decided to declare for the June draft. Given the choice of big men, Jason Kidd says he would take Love over Michael Beasley.

Eddie Gill played a total of five minutes in his 10-day contract with the Sonics.

Peter Vecsey covers the NBA for the New York Post.