Kobe Bryant dropped a record-setting 61 points on the New York Knicks Monday in the Lakers’ 126-117 victory at Madison Square Garden.

Bryant surpassed Michael Jordan’s single-game record of 55 points, the most scored at MSG by a Knicks opponent, set in March 1995. Bryant also set the new mark for points in a game by anyone at the current Garden, which had been 60, by Knicks star Bernard King in December 1984.

It’s been years since Knicks fans have had much to cheer about, so on Monday, they indulged in booing the large contingent of boisterous Kobe fans who were decked out in replica No. 24 jerseys and chanted “M-V-P.”

With LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers arriving there for a Wednesday night showdown, media speculation is running high that the Cavs star could threaten Bryant’s record 48 hours after it was set. After all, James had 45- and 50-point performances against the Knicks last season.

It’s easy to beat up on the Knicks, who have been plagued by a front office that has excelled in poor decision-making, involving both basketball matters and non-basketball affairs. The Stephon Marbury mess epitomizes what has become of the storied franchise, which hasn’t had a winning season since 2000-01.

On the other hand, the Knicks have been showing signs of life in recent weeks, going 8-4 after a 13-22 start under first-year coach Mike D’Antoni. Leading the way are two players who came off the bench for New York earlier in the season, but have been the team’s top two scorers during the 8-4 surge.

Knicks' Per-Game Scoring Leaders during 8-4 Run
(since Jan. 11)

David Lee. . . . . . . . . 19.8
Al Harrington. . . . . . .19.3
Nate Robinson. . . . . .14.7
Chris Duhon. . . . . . . 13.8
Wilson Chandler. . . . .12.3
Quentin Richardson. .11.8

Al Harrington, who arrived from Golden State in a mid-November trade, found himself playing a reserve role by late December. His shooting percentage had dropped off markedly and D’Antoni began using a more defensive-minded starting lineup. The 11-year veteran lost playing time to Tim Thomas and Danillo Gallinari.

Harrington has rebounded, tallying 27 and 26 points as a reserve early in the surge, and he’s started the last four games. That includes a 122-113 win in Indianapolis on Dec. 31, when the former Pacer led the Knicks with 31 points. He’s averaged 20.6 points per game since the trade, and his 19.5 average for the season would be a career high.

The most productive Knick has been center David Lee, who was a late first-round pick in 2005, but had been blocked out of a major role by a crowd of big men early in his career. Although his limited shooting range had worked against him, Lee has been a good fit in D’Antoni’s hurry-up offense, in which he’s shown a well-rounded inside game.

Lee started for the Knicks down the stretch last season, which ended with a 23-59 record, and he has established himself as a full-time starter since taking over in the middle on Nov. 21. In this 36-game span, Lee has averaged 17.4 points a game and recorded 33 double-doubles. Only Orlando’s Dwight Howard has more this season.

Double-Doubles, 2008-09

Dwight Howard, Orl. . . . 37
David Lee, NY. . . . . . . . 36
Chris Paul, NO. . . . . . . .31
Tim Duncan, SA. . . . . . .30
Al Jefferson, Min. . . . . .27

In his fourth NBA season, Lee is averaging a career-high 16.0 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. He’s scored 19.8 a game during the 8-4 streak, connecting on 56.9 percent of his shots from the field (95-for-167). Lee’s average of 13.3 rebounds in this span is more than twice as high as any other Knick.

The story on Wednesday night will be James at the Garden, which Knicks fans hope the marquee player will be calling home in 2010. For now, the Knicks probably beat the Cavs only if Harrington and Lee combine for more points than James alone.