Daily News from New York, New York • 73

0 ml DliO Dude of the Week ARRON AFFLALO For helping Adam Morrison up off the court after UCLA's 73-71 comeback win over Gonzaga Thursday night. In the chest-bumping world of college and pro sports, this kind of sportsmanship is so rare it is prehistoric. "1 just saw him laying there in tears a bit," Afflalo said. "I just felt for him a little bit." That little bit meant a lot. Too bad the game was on so late.

Any kid who saw this might have learned a valuable lesson. Perhaps if more viewers saw Afflalo's gracious gesture, sportsmanship would experience a revival. NBA rating! 'I sT: run over by NASCAR NBA COMMISH David Stern Co. could not have been thrilled after eyeballing last Sunday's (March 19) national ratings. On ABC, the NBA had a matchup featuring marquee talent PKAATS 12th consecutive son (13th overall) as the Yan-akees' lead TV analyst could be his last.

That's what well-embedded Yankee moles are saying. These spies contend Kaat has already decided to say adios to the Yankees Entertainment Sports Network following the 2006 season. When asked, Kaat did not rule out the possibility of this being his final season behind the YES microphone. He said he has not yet made up his mind. Kaat said YES brass has -worked hard to accommodate him, in terms of his broadcast schedule and the number of games he works.

"So far it has been a comfortable arrangement," Kaat said. "As long as they want me, I'll evaluate it year to year. I have to continue to guage what Kobe Bryant (1.) and LeBron James (r.) in a thriller marked by a ferocious fourth quarter run lifting Cleveland to a 96-95 win over the Lakers. The game recorded a 1.7 raring. On Fox, rain forced NASCAR 1 my enjoyment level (in the booth) is." if K.J: 11: Those close to Kaat say he does not un yy -Trvr.

want to put YES suits in an awkward position by going public with a final decision. And yet it is clear YES executives mnv a mnnv np nrvmanna mom- -tV J. v. infill coverage from Atlanta to consist of commentary, interviews and clips from the 2005 Atlanta race. Fox's version of NASCAR's Rain-out Theater generated a 3.7 rating, 118 higher than that (Lak-ers-Cavs) NBA rating.

NASCAR, without live action, trouncing a quality NBA contest adds further fuel to the fire of those who believe regular-season NBA games are currently irrelevant as a national TV property. ocivca iw uic cuiei ncuL oigii- ing Al Leiter, who they have high regard for, gives I YES suits an insurance rjol- icy, so to speak. If Kaat were to split after this season, YES v. 1 current national Dweeb of 'ilTHE THE KNICKS For the lame letter signed by Isiah Thomas and Larry Brown recently sent to season ticket holders. Many of the phrases in this document are, well, funny too.

Like, "there have been peaks and valleys." Peaks? The Knicks have experienced none this season. Then there is the line about being 'committed to our long-term plan of rebuilding the franchise. What plan? The letter makes a big deal about acquiring Steve Francis, who now kind of sounds like he has one foot out the door. One thing is clear, the Knicks 'network MSG treats Knicks fans like suckers. This letter treats them like idiots.

would likely elevate Leiter unless he bombs this season to the featured slot Kaat actually began his Yankees broadcast career in 1986, working for WPrX-TV He then split, onlyto return to the Bronx in 1995, replacing Tony Kubek who had retired from the Madison Square Garden Network's Yankees broadcast team. Kaat stays away from 'Game' Kaat said his reluctance to discuss those steroids revelations concerning Gary Sheffield in the book "Game of Shadows," was a matter of not knowing the whole story. "All I knew about the book was it was about (Barry) Bonds. I heard Michael (Kay) make that comment (Wednesday in the first inning of Red Sox-Yankees on YES) that Sheffield was mentioned in the book," Kaat said. 1 wasn't going to make a comment on something I didn't actually read" Kaat does have an answer for anyone asking if Sheffield should be investigated by Bud (Nutty Professor) Selig or the eds.

"My answer would be if there was something illegally done in the use of steroids they better go back to the (Jose) Canseco era to start the investigation," Kaat said. "Because there are hundreds of guys who would have to be investigated." OLN mixing it up Outdoor Life Network (OLN), the eye on debuting a late-night boxing series in fall of this year. Oh, my Darling Don't look for Victor Zambrano to invite SNYs Ron Darling out for a beer anytime soon. Darling whacked the Mets pitcher, basically accusing him of loafing when he should have been backing up third base Tuesday in the fifth inning of the Mets-Orioles Grapefruit League tilt on SNY Zambrano's late backup Xavi-er Nadys throw from right field went past third cost the Mets two runs. While watching an isolated replay of Zambrano's reaction, Darling said: "Zambrano's head is down.

He's lol-hygagging over to third base. One of the things you're taught since you're a small kid is if you are a pitcher you bust your rear endtogetoverthere (to backup third) And make sure you are in a position to field the balL" So there. Pulling punches No surprise that onThursday night CBS' Dick Enberg and Jay Bilas let Mike Krzyzewski totally off the hook as Duke imploded down the stretch against LSU. The voices could have highlighted some of Coach Kornmercial's decisions, but more importantly, they could have taken him to task for a team that went fundamentally brain dead (Duke i looked like the Knicks when it couldn't get back on defense) in crunch time. That said, no one should be surprised about Enberg (at times he seemed totally lost) and Bilas not laying a glove on For in college basketball, the demigod coaches get all the credit for a win and none of the blame for a big-time loss.

For the Sirius NFL fan With the opening of baseball just a week away, NFL freaks may not get the comprehensive offseason coverage the sport has received up to this point. So if your head is made of pigskin, you should checkout the offerings of Sirius Satellite Radio's NFL Network. This is the best place to hang your hat in the days leading up to the draft On the other hand, there are some local cats who still have their eyes on the (foot) ball. Like Ch. 9's Russ Salzberg.

He was a day ahead of everyone print and electronic breaking the story of Keyshawn Johnson's visit to the Giants. cable home of the National Hockey League, is exploring the possibility of get-f ting into boxing. A weird assortment of Ringside Johnnies tell me OLN has hooked up with none other than Sir Seth Abraham, the former HBO Sports boss who also headed up Cablevision-owned Radio City Music Hall, to help the company navigate through boxing's shark-infested waters. Speaking of sharks, it looks like OLN may also be turning to Bob Arum as its potential prime promoter. Considering the recent climate of the sweet science biz, this makes sense.

Mr. Arum, and executives of HBO Sports (The home of "World Championship Boxing," "Boxing After Dark," and various fistic PPV extravaganzas) are not exactly on the best of terms. Recent evidence of this was provided Saturday, March 18, at Atlantic City's Baby's Casino, when the Odd Couple, Arum and Don King, teamed up to verballyjoUy-stomp HBO Sports before a gathering of boxing scribes, which also included HBO's Jim Lam-pley and Larry Merchant 1 Anyway, it looks like OLN has its Double Talk What Don King said (about Bernard Hopkins): "He's so frugal, he wouldn't give a crippled crab a crutch." What Don King meant to say: "Bernard is one of the few fighters who I couldn't bankrupt,".