Contrary to what Isiah has said, shot blocking is nOT over-rated. If you can contest the lane aggresively--you can stick in games.

I agree BRIGGS, I remember last night, Utah had a 1 on 1 oppotunity. Cato already had 2 or 3 blocks at this point and was working his way back under the basket and Fisher pulled the ball back even though it would have been a fairly easy layup had he hurried. Intimidation is as important as the actual block at times, but it all has to start someone. No one fears Eddy...yet (I can be hopeful).

you are talking regression from end of 2005 to now, right? Otherwise you would be comparing the same players IMHO. Jamal is the SAME player is was during the first 6 weeks of each year, on that I would agree. But your first statement of "the funny thing about Crawford's supposed regression".... that regression is from end of 2005 to now. He has regressed, no doubt about it.

I don't think he regressed since the end of last year. He just had his once a season customary hot period at the end of last year. The year before that he had his hot streak earlier in the year. He did not "regress" after that, he just returned to the normal JC.

I think progress has to be sustained. A few hot weeks (Which he has had every year of his career.) is not enough for me to proclaim progress.

A similar comparison would be Eddie Curry. If he plays like crap for the rest of the season, he didn't regress, he was just hot for a few weeks, and returned to the normal Eddie Curry.

oohah

Posted by BRIGGS:

The guy has tremendous talent and length for the G position--but he is one of the most inconsistent players in the league. If Utah didnt go into a shell for 2.5 periods, Crawford's effeciency wouldve stood out much more. Last night proved you don't need FANCY offensive players to win games. If we had a player like rip, this would fit much better. Contrary to what Isiah has said, shot blocking is nOT over-rated. If you can contest the lane aggresively--you can stick in games. You do need some guys we can rely on for more offensive effeciency from the 1-2-3 positions.

Yea. Fryes block was huge late in the game, and I also saw boozer hesitating when cato was in the lane. shotblocking just changes the way the offense operates, guys rush shots, they rush their moves, causing feet to shuffle, and shots alter.....

as far as crawford, he hit a huge 3 late. He is what he is, he is almost a necessary evil. gotta have a guy who can get his shot off, sort of vince carter like.....

Please don;t even ****ing compare starks with crawford, starks played defense every possession and was huge for this team

Posted by MS:

Please don;t even ****ing compare starks with crawford, starks played defense every possession and was huge for this team

come on man. Crawford had twice the talent starks had. I am getting sick of worshiping these old knicks as if they won something. Stark was a loose cannon, made bad decisions, killed us in a game 7 NBA finals, lost his cool way to often, note the head butt on reggie miller, and choked on those FT's that led to the loss when miller hitting two threes in 5 seconds... Starks was no saint,but he was a good player, gritty, tough, but a knucklehead...

Jamal played absolutely great for us when Larry had him reigned in and playing like the PG that he wanted. There was alot of hope that Jamal would continue to play the same way but he has reverted right back to hid old ways and thats not a good thing. Jamal is a very gifted player but he lets his one-on-one and chucking get the best of him, whether that is the the fault of the coach or not, it still occurs and this is the way he played in both Chicago and here in NY before last year.

The Jamal we're seeing this year can not excel on this team or any team for that matter, unless he has a bigtime player or coach to bring him back to earth when necessary.

Posted by MS:

Please don;t even ****ing compare starks with crawford, starks played defense every possession and was huge for this team

was there a comparison made between Jamal & Starks? funny, i don't remember making one... i was referencing the Knick fans' reactions to 1 of the worst shooting performances in history to your over the top reaction at Jamal's bad game last night... calm your ass down, pop a few of these & call me in the morning.

Martin, If JC is the same old JC for most of this season, then averages 20 pts. on 50% FGP, and adds to that 5 rbs. 5 ast. over the months of March and April this year will he have progressed? Or is he hot?

oohah

The only place for Craw on this team is with a 2nd unit that includes Lee and Balkman! Therefore if he is hot, which is 1 out of every 4 games, great. If not you have Lee and Balkman in there to clean the offensive glass and can yank him quickly!

Lee and Balkman do not need plays run for them to be effective and are excellent offensive rebounders. Most of Crawfords missed shots are long rebounds! Come to think of it have Jeffries out there as well with this unit for at least a few minutes before subbing for him.

Call me crazy but this team is not that far away. Once we get everyone back from injuries and suspensions I think were gonna be surprised.

We are very deep. I do not think we have the correct combinations of players right now but I do not think we are as far off as most people think.

Once we get everyone back we push for the playoffs while evaluating what we have and then make the correct adjustments.

Posted by n24d30:

The only place for Craw on this team is with a 2nd unit that includes Lee and Balkman! Therefore if he is hot, which is 1 out of every 4 games, great. If not you have Lee and Balkman in there to clean the offensive glass and can yank him quickly!

Lee and Balkman do not need plays run for them to be effective and are excellent offensive rebounders. Most of Crawfords missed shots are long rebounds! Come to think of it have Jeffries out there as well with this unit for at least a few minutes before subbing for him.

Call me crazy but this team is not that far away. Once we get everyone back from injuries and suspensions I think were gonna be surprised.

We are very deep. I do not think we have the correct combinations of players right now but I do not think we are as far off as most people think.

Once we get everyone back we push for the playoffs while evaluating what we have and then make the correct adjustments.

This is what Isiah meant by lee is best served on the second unit.

That second unit is lights out and dominant for periods.

he just needs to be smarter... There was a play late in the game where he jacked up a 3 and missed it.. totally stupid.

Then there was another play late where he faked a 3 that he could have taken and drove to the hoop for a layup... I wonder about this kid!!!