Firing Larry Brown might cost Knicks owner James Dolan the remaining $40 million on Brown's contract, but team President Isiah Thomas, who was ordered by Dolan to take over, will pay with his job if the Knicks don't show "significant improvement" next season. It's Thomas' responsibility to clean up the 23-59 mess made by Brown, whom Dolan accused of signing a five-year deal worth $50 million with no intention of coaching more than one season. Contacted Monday night, Brown said, "That's the furthest thing from the truth . . . I loved the Knicks my whole life, and I care about my coaching career." Dolan said it was appropriate for Thomas to coach because he is responsible for every player on the 15-man roster. "He made this bed," Dolan said.