well thats the thing w/ Larry's offense. You dont need to rely on one guy to set up others. You do it with motion, cutting the basket and more ball movement. Thats why he's always harping about sharing the ball and having guys that "facilitate."

Marbury is brilliant at setting up other guys. Its shows in his #s. But how often do you see him run the 2 man game while 3 others stand around and watch. LB's system more involves all 5 guys. Billups isnt a high assist guy.

Its not going to be overnight. Again, look at Crawford yesterday. 11 rebounds and 3 steals. The other stuff will come, but he's a very tall long PG and thats can be a huge advantage.

Ah, its spring again, the Knicks are out of contention and Jamal is playing his best basketball. Might as well put up that Crawford shines in meaningless game banner.
Now I understand why he was ripped so much in Chicago. It seems this will become an annual tradition. Jamal is feast or famine. I am done with him, he is a tease. The sports car with a bad engine that stalls in the morning right before work but mysteriously revs up at night.

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Panos:

A lot has been said about Jamal's blossoming since Marbury has been out,
and I've actually been able to see him live the other night against the
Pacers. I'm a little concerned about his ability to set other guys up.
He's great one on one, and he'll try some fancy alley-oop passes,
but I'd love to see him do a little more basic things that Marbury actually
does do well like drive and dish and pick and roll, as well. If he can
do those things, I think he can be a complete offensive player.

As for defense, I think the jury's still out on that. I'll let LB decide.

Maybe those things aren't his game. If he excels in the role he's palying right now, and can score this kind of points while playing under control, then leave it alone. Find someone to play next to him to complement him, not the other way around.

I like Craw when he is attacking. He has been playing like Ray Allen. He has been mixing it up inside and out and give the ball up at the right times. This is what Isiah envisioned Craw to become. All Craw needs to do is become consistant. We can't expect him to get 30 a night but Craw should push the 20 pt mark every night.

I like the way Francis looks next to Craw. The way I see it Marbs and Francis can't be traded in the same off-season....that is just too hard to do. Marbs likes to dominate the ball and that is not the way Larry wants to play. Marbs has to go....Francis seems like he is more inclined to change. With Francis it's all about making shots now and just playing his game.

Nate can be Vinnie Johnson instead of Craw. Craw is a not a point guard or a combo guard. Craw is just a highly skilled shooting guard. Nate can come off the bench with Q-Rich next year.....Marbs has to go. The Knicks can't really add anything to the mix. They have yet to figure out what type of team they are.....I think now it's very clear what makes this team sucsessful.

Butler and David Lee are the answer the Knicks need as far as rebounders, spot starters, role players off the bench. Woods can score and his defense is coming along. Frye should have the starting 4 spot locked next season. Curry is the starter with Butler on his ass as a more than adequate back-up.

Jerome James needs to be bought out, Taylor, and Jalen needs to be waived. Isiah should try to work the draft and the D-league a little and fill in the pieces. Marbs should be salary dumped to a team like Memphis.

It took almost 82 games but I think its clear what the Knicks must do now to make next season worth while.





[Edited by - enyspree on 04-10-2006 12:58 PM]

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Panos:

A lot has been said about Jamal's blossoming since Marbury has been out,
and I've actually been able to see him live the other night against the
Pacers. I'm a little concerned about his ability to set other guys up.
He's great one on one, and he'll try some fancy alley-oop passes,

but I'd love to see him do a little more basic things that Marbury actually
does do well like drive and dish and pick and roll, as well. If he can
do those things, I think he can be a complete offensive player.

As for defense, I think the jury's still out on that. I'll let LB decide.

Maybe those things aren't his game. If he excels in the role he's palying right now, and can score this kind of points while playing under control, then leave it alone. Find someone to play next to him to complement him, not the other way around.

I like Craw when he is attacking. He has been playing like Ray Allen. He has been mixing it up inside and out and give the ball up at the right times. This is what Isiah envisioned Craw to become. All Craw needs to do is become consistant. We can't expect him to get 30 a night but Craw should push the 20 pt mark every night.

I like the way Francis looks next to Craw. The way I see it Marbs and Francis can't be traded in the same off-season....that is just too hard to do. Marbs likes to dominate the ball and that is not the way Larry wants to play. Marbs has to go....Francis seems like he is more inclined to change. With Francis it's all about making shots now and just playing his game.

Nate can be Vinnie Johnson instead of Craw. Craw is a not a point guard or a combo guard. Craw is just a highly skilled shooting guard. Nate can come off the bench with Q-Rich next year.....Marbs has to go. The Knicks can't really add anything to the mix. They have yet to figure out what type of team they are.....I think now it's very clear what makes this team sucsessful.

Butler and David Lee are the answer the Knicks need as far as rebounders, spot starters, role players off the bench. Woods can score and his defense is coming along. Frye should have the starting 4 spot locked next season. Curry is the starter with Butler on his ass as a more than adequate back-up.

Jerome James needs to be bought out, Taylor, and Jalen needs to be waived. Isiah should try to work the draft and the D-league a little and fill in the pieces. Marbs should be salary dumped to a team like Memphis.

It took almost 82 games but I think its clear what the Knicks must do now to make next season worth while.





[Edited by - enyspree on 04-10-2006 12:58 PM]

Excellent analysis. I agree with everything you said except maybe for Jerome James. He is garbage but he is a 7'1" garbage that still has a pretty long contract. I don't think it will be wise for us to just cut him. He at least has some value. One value is his comedic value. Another is his 6 fouls against Shaq.

Posted by NYKBocker:

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by Marv:

Posted by Panos:

A lot has been said about Jamal's blossoming since Marbury has been out,
and I've actually been able to see him live the other night against the
Pacers. I'm a little concerned about his ability to set other guys up.
He's great one on one, and he'll try some fancy alley-oop passes,

but I'd love to see him do a little more basic things that Marbury actually
does do well like drive and dish and pick and roll, as well. If he can
do those things, I think he can be a complete offensive player.

As for defense, I think the jury's still out on that. I'll let LB decide.

Maybe those things aren't his game. If he excels in the role he's palying right now, and can score this kind of points while playing under control, then leave it alone. Find someone to play next to him to complement him, not the other way around.

I like Craw when he is attacking. He has been playing like Ray Allen. He has been mixing it up inside and out and give the ball up at the right times. This is what Isiah envisioned Craw to become. All Craw needs to do is become consistant. We can't expect him to get 30 a night but Craw should push the 20 pt mark every night.

I like the way Francis looks next to Craw. The way I see it Marbs and Francis can't be traded in the same off-season....that is just too hard to do. Marbs likes to dominate the ball and that is not the way Larry wants to play. Marbs has to go....Francis seems like he is more inclined to change. With Francis it's all about making shots now and just playing his game.

Nate can be Vinnie Johnson instead of Craw. Craw is a not a point guard or a combo guard. Craw is just a highly skilled shooting guard. Nate can come off the bench with Q-Rich next year.....Marbs has to go. The Knicks can't really add anything to the mix. They have yet to figure out what type of team they are.....I think now it's very clear what makes this team sucsessful.

Butler and David Lee are the answer the Knicks need as far as rebounders, spot starters, role players off the bench. Woods can score and his defense is coming along. Frye should have the starting 4 spot locked next season. Curry is the starter with Butler on his ass as a more than adequate back-up.

Jerome James needs to be bought out, Taylor, and Jalen needs to be waived. Isiah should try to work the draft and the D-league a little and fill in the pieces. Marbs should be salary dumped to a team like Memphis.

It took almost 82 games but I think its clear what the Knicks must do now to make next season worth while.





[Edited by - enyspree on 04-10-2006 12:58 PM]

Excellent analysis. I agree with everything you said except maybe for Jerome James. He is garbage but he is a 7'1" garbage that still has a pretty long contract. I don't think it will be wise for us to just cut him. He at least has some value. One value is his comedic value. Another is his 6 fouls against Shaq.

Now that we're stuck with him I'd give him the offseason to get in shape (informing him in advance that he'll be waived or bought out in Oct. if he is out of shape).

Ok that whole "his team" is a tired remark. Sorry bout that. Still craw has been doing a lot of decision making the last few games. He wasn't out of control he was just playing good basketball.

Turning the corner? I hope so. It would be cool to see that happen to a young knick player before our eyes. The way he's been playing is exactly like ray Allen. Ray Allen does a lot of ball handling and does a lot of disecting. Damn that is beautiful. That's what we need from craw.

No matter what q-rich is not that kind of a player.q-rich is a spot up shooter and maybe a slasher when healthy. Nice to have off the bench.

Posted by EnySpree:

Posted by McK1:

Q isn't coming off the bench.

Craw is the Vinnie Johnson. Nate is a 20 minute energy guy

Craw is better as a starter. Q-rich hasn't done anything this season to warrent him a starting spot.

As far as minutes, there are about 96 minutes to divide up between the guards. Craw has been up and down but whenever craw has been up the knicks win. Craw needs to start and play 35 mins a game. Francis is going to have to become himself next year. If Francis can do that he gets 35 minutes too. Q-rich has been a bricklayer. He should be the guy off the bench backing up woods and craw.I think everyone respects Q. He should be around but he has a lot to prove on the court. Nate is the energy guy.

This is craws team. That is funny to say, but its a proven fact that as he goes so does the knicks.

It's funny that you say Q-Rich has done nothing this year. Defense is overlooked by many.

i like q and how hard he plays and what he says and how he cares...but this is the worst season in his career. there's no defending any on court play he has done this year. now, the only caveat is that he's been banged up, played hurt, and had a TRAGIC year off the court so hopefully he comes in next year, if he's still here, and regains some of his offensive game. i would like it if he became our bruce bowen. concentrate on defense, grab boards, and let the offense come to him. i think, in lb's system, he can only really flourish offensively IF we get a low post player.

Posted by EnySpree:


Q-rich leaves guys open for threes all the time. His man to man defense has been solid but not worth the praise people give him. If the guy is just gonna play defense and not be relied on to score then he needs to be on the bench.

its only 1 ball. somebody in the starting 5 has to be willing to sacrifice scoring.