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X-Mas Taker
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: nyc
Posts: 7,108
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Knicks: Isiah wants to see more from Crawford
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CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Jamal Crawford did something over the summer no Knick fan could ever bear to do. He watched film of every ugly game from last season's disaster, and watched them more than once, too.
Normally, the Geneva Convention strictly prohibits such inhumane torture.
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Most fans would say Crawford's performance last season, despite averaging 14.3 points that was three points lower than his previous two seasons, was probably the best overall of any Knick. But Thomas wouldn't buy into that notion so easily, saying, "it depends on how you look at it."
Yes, there were those four game-winning shots, the improved ball-handling and court awareness, but Thomas reminded reporters that Crawford didn't find his groove until midway through the season (Thomas said it wasn't until the latter third).
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Even the publicly harsh and insensitive Larry Brown was more complimentary about Crawford than Thomas was yesterday. Brown called Crawford the most improved player he ever coached, and that his "friends" in the league -- perhaps the same ones he supposedly consulted with on trades behind Thomas's back -- would tell him how well Crawford was playing.
"He improved leaps and bounds," Brown said last year.
By the time April rolled around, Crawford was in a zone, averaging 22 points and 5.7 assists over the final 11 games. Thomas wants to see it in November, December and, one day, in May and June as well.
"The more he understands basketball concepts, the better he's going to continue to grow," the coach said. "Defensively, we've got to get him better," Thomas said. "But he's definitely accepted the challenge."
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Hence the videotape.
A typical summer day in Seattle saw Crawford wake up at about 9 a.m. and have a good breakfast. Then it was over to a commercial gym, either Bally's or 24 Hour Fitness, for some weightlifting. Crawford said he is eight pounds heavier than last season, and a lot more powerful.
"I'm still skinny," he said, "But I'm a lot stronger."
After lunch Crawford would head over to the court, where he would meet former Washington Huskies Brandon Roy (the sixth overall pick by the Trail Blazers) and Will Conroy, and sometimes Knicks teammate Nate Robinson to work out.
Then it was back home for dinner, and virtually every other night, instead of popping in DVD of "Poseidon" or "Akeelah and the Bee," he popped in Knicks vs. Sixers, Jan. 28, or Knicks vs. Pistons, Dec. 2. He even watched games from the previous season, to see what had changed.
"I saw there were times I was able to take it to the rim, and I thought to myself, 'I can do that a lot more,'" he said. "I shouldn't just settle for jump shots."
Knowing that Thomas still wants to see improvement, Crawford was asked if he is concerned about playing time, since some players are going to have to spend more time on the bench than they want.
"I don't think I'll be one of those guys," Crawford said.
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http://www.nj.com/knicks/ledger/inde...l=1&thispage=2
you cant help but like the guy.I think this will be the season crawford plays the way IT intended when he signed him 2 years ago. Lots of flash , lots of substance , smarter stronger extremely versatile . probably wont be a huge improvement statwise but in impact he will be felt.
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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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Knicks: Isiah wants to see more from Crawford
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