When Shandon Anderson steps onto the Delta Center court tomorrow night, he is prepared for the worst. The boos are to be expected. The signs calling him a traitor are expected to be plentiful. He can even deal with the fictitious interviews they air on the local chat shows, which depict him as a surly guy whose every other word has to be bleeped.

"I was the first guy to really leave the system," the Knicks swingman said. "So I expect boos, big time. Howard (Eisley), too. Felton Spencer's the only one -- they're cool with him, because (leaving) was a team decision."

Hell hath no fury like a Jazz fan scorned. For three seasons, Anderson was a vital component to a magnificent Utah team, and his decision to leave via free agency in 1999 was something the locals will never forget. But the fact of the matter was, Anderson was never happy in Salt Lake City, where the Knicks open their three-game preseason road trip. It is well-documented that many African-Americans are uncomfortable just visiting the place, but living there, he says, is much more difficult.

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