Nearly everyone said that the first couple of months of the Larry Brown regime would be rough for all involved, and it was, but no one quite anticipated the speed and extent of the turnaround.

During the Knicks’ first few games since Brown shortened his rotation to nine players and set a new starting five, the team has won with a remarkable offensive output. This week against two of the best offensive clubs in basketball, Cleveland and Dallas, the defense stepped up to a previously unseen degree. New York held LeBron James and the Cavaliers to 15 points below their season average in a 92-84 win on Tuesday night, then fought the potent Mavericks hard into overtime last night and won a dramatic result.

Brown announced the new starting five – guards Stephon Marbury and Nate Robinson, forwards David Lee and Antonio Davis, and center Eddy Curry – and rotation before the Knicks’ loss at Milwaukee on December 30, and it marked a new chapter in what was becoming an increasingly beleaguered first season for the legendary coach. He and Marbury were sniping at each other through the press, and on the court, Brown had tinkered with so many personnel combinations (he even managed to use 12 players in the first quarter of a game in late November), that very little continuity had developed among the players.

Since Brown was new and only four members of the current roster played for New York this time last year, a period of acclimation was to be expected. Still, only the most pessimistic Knick fans expected a 7-21 start.

The team’s solid offensive performances against Milwaukee, Phoenix, Washington, Seattle, and Cleveland were a clear sign of change. During the Knicks’ last five games, they’ve shot 49.2% from the field, a marked increase from the 43.8% prior to the settling of the lineup. Also, the Knicks topped the century mark four straight times (and again last night), something they had only accomplished three times in their previous 14 games.

During their five-game winning streak, it’s been easy to see the change in the way the Knicks space the floor and spread opposing defenses. When plays break down, it’s clear to see the players can use a greater familiarity with each other’s tendencies to manufacture better scoring chances.

For instance, on a key possession in the fourth quarter against Cleveland, the Knicks started a play with a Curry pick for Marbury near the free throw line. The Cavaliers trapped the play, with both defenders staying on Marbury. Channing Frye slid from his spot on the baseline to the elbow to take a pass from Stephon, who rolled to the hoop. Frye faked a shot – which drew the Cavs defenders to him – hit Marbury with a pass in stride, and Stephon laid the ball in before the Cleveland defense could react. A simple recovery, yes, but it reflected a level of teamwork conspicuously absent from the Knicks through their first 28 games.

That level of teamwork was also particularly evident on the defensive end against Cleveland. The Knicks began the game with Lee on LeBron James, but the rookie provided minimal resistance, so Brown switched to the smaller Quentin Richardson, who consistently overplayed the baseline, forcing James toward the middle where other Knicks defenders awaited to double team and force the ball out of his hands. The Knicks used this strategy on occasion through three quarters then used it exclusively in the fourth and held Cleve land to only 12 points in the frame.

In the first half of last night’s win, the Knicks showed their A-game on both sides of the ball, running up a season high 63 points in the first half and establishing an 18-point lead against one of the best offensive teams in the league.

The keys were rebounds and turnovers. The Knicks kept the Mavericks, a team that averages 43 rebounds (including 13 offensive boards) off the glass in the first half, outrebounding them 26-16 and limiting Dallas to just three offensive rebounds.

In addition, the Knicks kept Mavs guard Jason Terry away from his spots and discombobulated the Dallas offense, which committed nine first-half turnovers. Unfortunately, unlike the Phoenix game, in which the Knicks ran their offense to perfection down the stretch and in the overtimes, the locals spent the first minutes of the fourth quarter reverting to their previous form. For some strange reason, Brown turned to Jerome James – a player with little offensive game and no defensive presence – instead of Curry, who had played extremely well in the first half.

The Knicks were often left to rely on heaves from the guards. Meanwhile Dallas began using more screens to free up their guards and relying on Devin Harris’s speed to breakdown the Knicks defense and the lead disappeared.

The halftime adjustments by Dallas are something that the Knicks will have to expect. There will be game film on the “new” Knicks, and upcoming opponents will study it. The second half difficulty against Dallas notwithstanding, the road ahead for the Knicks should keep their fans buzzing. Only two of the Knicks’ next 13 opponents sport winning records right now, and eight of those 13 games are at Madison Square Garden.

Four teams stand between the Knicks and the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, so it’s too early for any sort of postseason fever. But if the Knicks continue their improved play into February, then it will be time for fans to keep a daily watch on the standings.

mjohnson@nysun.com