Crawford faces painful reality
BY FRANK ISOLA

The details of Jamal Crawford's ankle injury sounded eerily similar to that of former Knick Kurt Thomas: stress fracture, surgery, uncertain future.

"I hope that Jamal takes his time and doesn't rush back," Thomas says. "The last thing you want to do is reinjure it."

Thomas speaks from first-hand experience and cautions that Crawford's rehabilitation could be a long, painful process. A decade ago, Thomas suffered a stress fracture to his right ankle, the same injury that has likely ended Crawford's season.

From 1996 through 1998, Thomas was limited to 23 games because of chronic ankle problems. Despite having surgery, Thomas reinjured his ankle, creating concerns that his career was over. He eventually recovered and is averaging 5.3 points and 6.0 rebounds for the Suns this season, though he missed five weeks with a hyperextended elbow.

The Knicks are painting an optimistic picture for Crawford's recovery. Their best-case scenario has Crawford, who had surgery on Friday, returning for the playoffs.

In fact, the Knicks' chances of reaching the postseason improve each day. Having Crawford ready by late April is another story. His injury is a significant loss for a team fighting to reach the playoffs for only the second time since 2001. The Knicks say that Crawford can begin his rehab next week.

What they can't say is when or how he sustained the injury. Indeed, the circumstances surrounding it are confusing at best. The Knicks maintain that Crawford was playing with pain for roughly two to three weeks. However, Crawford's agent, Aaron Goodwin, gave a much different timetable.

"This has been going on for months," Goodwin said.

The injury raises questions of whether Crawford was at risk by playing with discomfort. The longer it went undetected, the more damage he could have done.

"If you don't know you have a stress fracture and you keep playing it only gets worse," Thomas said. "I should know."

Dr. Lisa Callahan, the Knicks' director of player care, has not commented on Crawford's injury. In previous years, the Knicks routinely had their medical staff provide general information regarding player injuries. The noted orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Answorth Allen, has never been given the opportunity to address the media since replacing longtime Knicks physician Dr. Norman Scott.

Callahan was hired three seasons ago and her reign as the club's top medical adviser has had a few dubious moments. Most recently, Jared Jeffries was allowed to play in a preseason game with a fractured left wrist that eventually required surgery. Jeffries, signed to a $30 million contract last summer, missed the first 22 games.

In December, the Knicks made a curious decision to allow Steve Francis to rehabilitate a sore right knee in Houston under the guidance of former NBA player John Lucas, who has no formal training in physical therapy. At the very least it was an unconventional way to treat a player who will earn $15 million this year.

The health of Isiah Thomas' roster will be crucial over the last six weeks of the season. Saturday's impressive overtime win over the Hawks gave the Knicks their first two-game winning streak since early February. With the Orlando Magic in a free fall and the Nets facing a daunting road trip through Texas, the Knicks could be in eighth place if they beat Seattle tomorrow at the Garden.

David Lee, who has missed five straight games with a right ankle sprain, is expected to play. Quentin Richardson predicted he'll be available despite removing himself from Saturday's win because of recurring back stiffness. The health of Stephon Marbury, who has been playing at an All-Star level since early December, is a major concern. Against the Hawks, he scored 38 points and aggressively attacked the basket. Afterward, Marbury revealed that he is wearing a steel plate under his shoe for a turf toe injury. He also suffers from left knee tendinitis.

Marbury will have to become as much of scorer as a playmaker with Crawford sidelined indefinitely.

The playoffs may be just a pipe dream for Crawford. For the Knicks, however, they are looking like a good bet.