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X-Mas Taker
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: nyc
Posts: 7,108
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Jamal Uses Bull Whip
Quote:
Since joining the Knicks one year ago, Jamal Crawford had failed to beat the Bulls in four chances. Last night, with the Knicks being outplayed for three quarters, Crawford sparked a second straight fourth-quarter Garden comeback in drilling the Bulls, 109-101.
"This one was for Eddy," said Crawford.
Crawford finished with 28 points off the bench, pulled down six rebounds and sank all 10 of his free throws. Crawford's point total was the highest for a reserve since John Starks' 34 in Atlanta in 1998.
Crawford, a lax defender, blocked a Ben Gordon 3-point attempt early in the fourth quarter that ratcheted up their momentum. Crawford hooked up with Trevor Ariza for the highlight play of the season that put the Garden into a tizzy.
"That's the best he's defended since I've been around," said Larry Brown, who heads to Motown for his Palace return tomorrow when the Knicks (5-9) face the Pistons (11-2).
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Quote:
In fact, the participants of October's trade were non-factors. The Bulls' Tim Thomas is exiled and Michael Sweetney had a quiet night (10 points, four boards).
Then there was Crawford, acquired in the sign-and-trade in the summer of 2004. Crawford had rough times facing the Bulls last season, as the Knicks were swept in four games. The Bulls were amid a revival without him, the Knicks were in free fall.
In that final defeat in April at United Center, Crawford missed last-second free throws that allowed the Bulls to clinch homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
"That one I took hard," Crawford said. "I broke out in hives on the way home. It was so emotional. I wanted to win that game so bad and I missed the free throws. That one bothered me."
Trailing for most of last night's game and behind by eight after three quarters, the Knicks forced the Bulls into seven straight misses to begin the fourth, taking their first lead with 8:13 left on an Antonio Davis free throw.
Crawford admitted he pressed last season and now considers it just another contest. He scored 23 second-half points, 13 in the fourth quarter, slashing to the basket, making pull-ups and hitting all his free throws.
The Knicks shot 57 free throws, a franchise record at the Garden. Next up is Brown's former club in Detroit.
"I just want to enjoy this one," Brown said.
When Robinson forced a shot in the third, Brown yanked the rookie for Crawford.
"It's nice to rise to the occasion when coach is on you," Crawford said. "You want to make coach proud."
In one of the season's highlights, Crawford sprinted on a fastbreak, made a behind the head flip to Ariza, who rammed it down for a right-handed power dunk over Andres Nocioni with 8:52 left to tie it at 82. During the Chicago timeout, the replay was shown over and over on the scoreboard as the fans roared.
Channing Frye, whom Brown said will definitely remain in the starting lineup even when Curry returns, scored 21 points with eight rebounds. An attacking Stephon Marbury had one of his best all-around games(18 points, three steals, eight assists, 12-of-14 from the line).
Gordon, the former UConn star, replaced Crawford in Chicago and killed them from the 3-point line in the first half, draining four of six, scoring 15 first-half points.
But in the end, it was all Crawford.
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wonder if he starts next game , i think i read earlier LB has started 12 of the 15 guys on the roster...there is no continuity until the revolving door stops.
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"The country is full of good coaches. What it takes to win is a bunch of interested players."-Don Coryell, ex-San Diego Chargers Coach
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Jamal Uses Bull Whip
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