MIAMI - There are backup plans, and then there are fall-flat-on-your-face plans.

The way troubled guard Latrell Sprewell sees it, the New York Knicks have prepared the latter before this season begins. It's not a way to quickly retool should this season's team fail, but a place to lay the blame.

According to Sprewell, anyway, that place is on his shoulders.

"I'm just concerned about winning," he said. "They're more concerned about who's going to take the fall when we're losing. They're looking for a scapegoat already."

In case all these feel-good baseball stories and surprising football developments have kept you distracted, here"s a recap of Sprewell"s latest saga.

The Knicks guard reported to camp with an injury to his shooting hand that required surgery. For not reporting the injury in "a timely fashion," Sprewell was fined $250,000, a record for a player.

Worse, Sprewell was sent home and not allowed to associate with teammates "until he can make a positive contribution."

Sprewell has been disciplined before - most recently for missing a shootaround before a game in Miami - and Knicks general manager Scott Layden sounded like a frustrated parent when he levied the latest penalty.

"Frankly, we've tried other things," he said. "We're going to try something different this time. We have not been able to get it right so far."

So how can Sprewell make himself out to be the victim this time? Well, for one, Sprewell said he did report the injury.

"I don't understand why they are alienating me from the team," he said Wednesday. "I know one thing, they don't want me talking to the media and getting out my side of the story. I told trainer Mike Saunders last week how I hurt my hand.

"They knew before leaving for training camp in Charleston S.C. that I was going for surgery. But they told me not to speak with the media. That's why I couldn't believe it when they said they didn't know how I broke my hand. I told them I slipped on my boat."

After surgery, Sprewell intended on meeting the team at training camp but was told to stay home. It wasn't until Wednesday that he met with team officials.

"That was the first time Layden asked how it happened," Sprewell said. "I explained to them that I didn't think it was broken. They told me I was obligated to tell them sooner, but I told them I thought it was OK to play. They then left the room for a minute, came back and told me about the fine."

"In hindsight, they knew all along what they were going to do. I'm not happy about it. The fine is excessive, as it always has been with me. And I'm tired of it."

A New York Post report cited two eyewitnesses who said Sprewell injured his hand in a fight on his boat. Sprewell said the story was false and plans to sue the newspaper for $8 million or so, but no suit has been filed.

For those who believe this is a terrific opportunity to get Sprewell into a Miami Heat uniform and trade Brian Grant or Eddie Jones, not so fast.

First, Sprewell"s contract is not much friendlier than the Heat"s maxed-out duo. He still has three years and $40 million remaining, and Sprewell is two years older than Grant and Jones.

Second, it wouldn"t make much sense in basketball terms. Should Sprewell be traded for Grant, whom New York coveted before he came to Miami, the Heat would be a copy of last year"s Knicks team - overloaded at the swing position with nothing up front.

If it"s a Jones-for-Sprewell swap, it doesn"t necessarily improve either team. With Caron Butler in the fold, the Heat already has an aggressive swing player who can get to the basket at will, which complements Jones, who often prefers to stay on the perimeter.

MJ's WAYS

Michael Jordan, the NBA"s version of a self-employed player, has decided not to play in any Wizards exhibition games and is limiting himself in practices, too.

Despite taking the entire summer to get himself in proper shape for the season - and those who have seen him play in camp say he"s leaner than last year and prepared to play more shooting guard - Jordan knows he needs to pace himself.

"You can't win a championship or make the playoffs in the first couple games," Jordan said. "I know that. I think our team is strong enough that we're going to be OK even if I'm not on the basketball court... . I have to go at my pace.

"I've been doing that all summer and that's been working in my favor and that's going to aid me when the time comes."

Jordan, though, said his relaxed approach to the preseason doesn"t mean he"s definitely coming off the bench.

"I think by the time the season comes, I can play 30 minutes a game," he said. "Hopefully, that's what's going to be asked of me, be it starting or coming of the bench, whichever way coach Doug Collins decides.

We picked 30 minutes initially to start off with and will work my way up. I will be in shape enough to play 30 minutes at the beginning."

INTERNATIONAL GAME

The NBA doesn"t have as many foreign-born players as baseball, but some similar problems are arising with the influx of foreign talent.

Brazilian forward Nene Hilario, a Nuggets rookie, has an interpreter whenever he can. But he can"t be around at all times, making Hilario"s transition that much more difficult.

"It's a little complicated," Hilario said through his interpreter and personal manager, Joe Santos. "I feel lost a lot of times. Trying to interact with the guys is a little harder. I don't know what to say. I'm practicing on mainly instinct."

Santos has been a regular at Nuggets training camp practices, but coach Jeff Bzdelik, a former Heat assistant, has limited his presence to the teaching session during the first 15 minutes of practice.

Bzdelik believes such a move will push the rookie's learning process.

"I did that for a reason," Bzdelik said. "You've got to grow up faster. Not a negative comment. It's a necessary crutch, but we have to start weaning him off that a little bit."

LEAGUE POSTER BOYS

It has taken just one season for Jason Kidd to change his image from domestic abuser to all-around good guy.

There is a 30-foot-tall Kidd billboard on 49th Street and Seventh Avenue in Manhattan - blocks from Madison Square Garden. Kidd is also modeling Hugo Boss clothing, promoting Pepsi with Britney Spears and is one of Nike"s front men.

A 13-year-old boy injured by the Washington-area sniper said he was a fan of Orlando"s Tracy McGrady.

So the Magic superstar sent him a message and promised to fly him to a Magic game once he recovers.

"It was real touching to me that of all the guys in this league - Shaq O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan - he called my name," McGrady said. "Wow. The least I can do is send a message and sign a jersey."

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