Crawford Surges In Sizable Apple

by Steve Weinman on Nov 10, 2008 12:30 AM EST in NBA Comment 5 comments

The last month has seen quite a turn of events for Jamal Crawford.

At the beginning, he was the unquestioned starter at two-guard for the inaugural season of Mike D'Antoni's reign in New York. Several poor preseason performances later, Crawford was being buried with the dreaded doesnt-get-the-offense label, and he was out of the Knicks' lineup, perhaps on the verge of falling out of the rotation, replaced by, of all people, Stephon Marbury.

By opening night, Crawford had worked to earn his job back. Sunday afternoon, he played his best game of the young season to push the Knicks to a 4-2 start with an upset of the previously undefeated Jazz.

Crawford shot 10-for-17 from the field, including 5-for-7 from deep, to go with 7-of-9 free throw shooting en route to a 32-point afternoon at Madison Square Garden in the Knicks' 107-99 win. It was his third scoring effort of 20 points or more in six games this season, and he continued to shoot the ball well from deep. The 6-5 guard is shooting better than 40 percent from beyond the arc this year, which is a big reason why he is posting a true shooting mark better than 55 percent for the season.

Much as I hate seeing the Knicks experience any success, if they are going to win a particular game, it might as well be Crawford who leads them. For all the inefficiency of his game and the occasional excess of schoolyard nonsense as far as his on-court decision making, this is a guy who has reportedly done a better job than many of his New York teammates with regard to trying to learn the game and making efforts to improve himself and take coaching to heart. He has always been well-spoken, never been an off-court problem, and he has never shied away from taking responsibility on nights when he or his team didn't have it. He still has a long way to go toward becoming a complete player in this league, but Jamal Crawford has taken strides toward earning respect for himself over the last year and change.

Now, if only the Knicks would return to their losing ways, I would be a lot happier about occasionally praising their few likable players.

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Good post, Professor Weimann.

It’s hard to fathom any offensive-oriented player not loving to play for D’Antoni. That is, if they’re willing to get in D’Antoni shape. I predicted after I saw their first exhibition game that they’d be a .500 team and I’m sticking to it.

by Finkelskyhook on Nov 10, 2008 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, FSK

Agreed about D’Antoni – all he seems to ask is that you run and shoot…makes it hard to fathom a coach that would make many of the current Knicks happier. I’m still not sure how many they’ll win, but I’ll settle for the rather obvious prediction that they will fill the statsheet a bit better offensively than in past seasons.

On another note, as honored as I am by the professor title, I’ve been trying to figure out for some time whether there is a “Professor Weimann” of whom my cultural ineptitude has rendered me previously unaware, or if that’s simply your preferred spelling of my name. Thus far, it seems the most possible namesake would be Dr. Gabriel Weimann, professor at Haifa University and renowned writer on the media and terrorism.

So a Gabriel reference…or you’ve simply provided me an alternate spelling? I’m left to wonder about that one. :-)

Either way, your comments are always appreciated as you well know by now.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Nov 10, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

darn shame ...

thats marbury is such a head case. Otherwise he would be a perfect fit for D’Antoni system.

by stoyko on Nov 10, 2008 12:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

I really hadn’t expected it this year, but much as I enjoy pounding the hapless Knicks, it really does feel better to pound the fairly good Knicks. Not sure I’m ready for them to be “rivals” again. Not yet.

Maybe never?

by Thruthelookingglass on Nov 10, 2008 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

man listen

the knicks have not drawn up an out of bounds play in three years!!!! the coach has not gotten off the bench to complain or stick up for a player since jeff van gundy!!!

and they play defense in the passing lanes, constantly switching. they are not going to be great right off. but they have had good players on their team for quite a while and this is the first year having a coach who plays to their strengths rather than forcing them to expose their weaknesses.

at least they didn’t pilfer two of the best players in the league for a handfull of stiffs.

by stingy d on Nov 11, 2008 11:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs