Crawford’s Hot Hand Beats Sixers in Pre-Season Contest
by Tom Kertes

PHILADEPHIA, October 14, 2006 -- How important is it to win in the preseason? The 2-0 New York Knicks all of a sudden have plenty of reasons to ponder that issue after their102-100 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

These games don’t count in the standings, of course. On the other hand, “winning is always important,” Knicks Head Coach and President Isiah Thomas said before the game. And it might be even more essential in the Knicks present situation -- new coach, new system, coming off of a bad season -- where the victories serve as foundation, proof, and a source of belief in an entirely new way of playing the game.

The Knicks are not “there” yet but the “W’-s are due to some encouraging signs. “I thought defensively we were good,” said Thomas. “Tonight they shot 38 per cent from the field after the Nets shot I think 35 or36 per cent last night. That’s helping us thus far. Some nights you won’t shoot well but, at the end of the day, you’ve got to rest your head on defense.”

As well as upon Eddy Curry’s broad shoulders. The emerging young center -- an enormous key to the Knicks eventual fortunes this season -- had 20 points and 10 rebounds after just 22 minutes of playing time and ended up with 25 and 10 on nearly faultless, 10-13, shooting from the floor. ”He was just great,” an elated Thomas shook his head in admiration. “It was an All-Star performance.”

“Today I felt very comfortable going out there and trying to produce,” said Curry who played extended stretches at a time compared to last season. ”I definitely want to be pushed and it’s going to help me as the regular season comes.”

Big Eddy, clearly quicker, stronger, and more mobile than a year back at this time, was pretty much the whole ballgame in the early going as he scored 8 of the Knicks first ten points for a 10-6 lead. Smooth-shooting Kyle Korver and a surprising Shavlik Randolph, however, helped Philadelphia storm back into a 32-24 edge by the end of the first quarter.

The Knicks, however, stepped up their defensive intensity big-time in the second, holding their opponent to just 17 points on 28 per cent shooting and forcing 8 turnovers. The most crucial minutes during the run were played by the vastly youthful lineup of Mardy Collins, David Lee, Channing Frye, and Nate Robinson along with energizing veteran Quentin Richardson.

The game was tied at 49 at the half.

The Knicks, looking a tad flat, fell behind 62-57 early in the third when little Nate Robinson came up with huge play after huger play. A big hustle move by David Lee and a superb floater by Jamal Crawford put the Knicks back in the lead 83-81at the end of three.

A 9-4 run put the Sixers back up 95-90 when the clutch Crawford took the game completely over. His indecipherable funky drive tied things up at 100 with 45 seconds on the clock, then an impossible off-dribble 22 footer with defenders hanging allover him won the game.

“We just gave him the ball at the top and let him go one on one,” said Thomas. ”I just wanted to make sure he took the last shot. He is very good at that.”

Love Jamal. Those that saw the game. How was Jamal's defense?