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**Da Grinch** · 01-25-2008, 04:22 PM

http://www.northjersey.com/sports/knicks/14304787.html

Quote:

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- As the Knicks prepared Thursday to embark on the second half of their so-far-lost season tonight vs. Philadelphia, Jamal Crawford took it upon himself to deliver his teammates a message.

Look at the standings, he told them. With 41 games to go, we can still make a playoff push.

Pipe dream or not, in that and other ways, Crawford now finds himself ordained the Knicks' primary leader, the teacher's new pet (Isiah Thomas' that is), filling whatever void Stephon Marbury left behind.

By the numbers, how he's done so is glaringly obvious: 25.4 points per game on 49.5 percent shooting (45.4 on threes) with a 2-1 assist-turnover ratio since Marbury shut himself down five games ago to undergo left-ankle surgery Tuesday.

Before that, Crawford averaged 19.1 points on 41 percent shooting (32.8 on threes) with a 1.6-1 assist-turnover ratio.

Although neither he nor any other Knick will say so out loud, that difference isn't mere coincidence. The closest he'll come to admitting that is, as Marbury's replacement at the point, he now can get better shots and make better decisions because he has the ball in his hands more.

"I think when more is expected of you, you've got to be more responsible," he said. "I've got to take better shots. I've got to make sure they're good shots. I've got to take smarter shots because more is asked of me."

so maybe this hot streak may become a little consistent.

**Dean the Master** · 01-25-2008, 04:25 PM

Yeah, that Knicks have decided to start winning! Thanks Jamal!

Tragedy · 01-26-2008, 12:30 AM

NOOOOOOOO.. Make a playoff push for WHAT? To keep isiah longer? Because the Knicks will surely strike out in the playoffs. Like they did the last time they made it.

I mean, sneak in as an 8th seed or even a 7? To get kicked to sleep by the Celtics or Pistons?

NOOOO.

Lose. Please give us a top 3 or 5 pick at the very least. PLEAAAAAAAAAAAASE.

I'll only accept winning now if it means they get their act together for real next season. WITHOUT Isiah and Marbury.

I'm having deja vu of 2003. Where the knicks foolishly made a lame late season playoff push, faded at the end. Missed the playoffs and lost the Lebron James (and ultimately Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and to a lesser extent Chris Kaman) sweepstakes.

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