Knicks benchwarmer Mason spreading Christmas jeer

Roger Mason's best Christmas ever also coincided with his best season -- two years ago with San Antonio. He came off the bench after sitting the entire fourth quarter and drained a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.4 seconds left against the Suns.

There haven't been any magical moments for Mason with the Knicks after being signed as a free agent in August, and he was a DNP again yesterday.

After playing the first three games, averaging just six minutes, Mason was yanked from the rotation and has only been seen in garbage time since.

Mason, who talked of being a leader during training camp, feels coach Mike D'Antoni hasn't given him a chance. Ironically, team president Donnie Walsh has shopped for another backup point guard.

"Things have been a little different than I imagined, yes," Mason told The Post in his first remarks on the subject. "I'll continue to work and be a good teammate and cheer them on and wait for an opportunity. I haven't really had one yet."