did anyone else hear that crawford hurt his hand and is out for the game against the bulls... Marbury might start per realgm

I thought I had posted the story yesterday guess I forgot...


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Steph returns early, but Crawford's hurt

Thursday, Stephon Marbury told a Knicks official he planned to return to the team "some time after the New Year."

Then he showed up to practice Saturday.

Got some extra calendars in case anyone needs them, although Isiah Thomas all but admitted he knew Friday (a day after the "after the New Year" proclamation) the prodigal point guard would be back Saturday.

No need to get too Oliver Stone about that, for it might be better served on the folloowing news: Jamal Crawford bruised his right (shooting) hand Friday when he collided with a teammate's knee in a defensive drill.

Fill in your own punch line here about Crawford playing defense and although he couldn't remember who it was, figure it was Jerome James, the Knicks' grim injurer.

The Knicks, though, insist it's just a bruise. Yet, Crawford won't have x-rays until before Sunday's nooner against the Bulls.

Strange. This isn't Turnip Truck, Ga. Seems they have hospitals near the team's Westchester practice site that could've handled such a thing Saturday, even Friday, if not on-site facilities.

Crawford didn't practice and wore a protective pad Saturday.

And remember, he played, by his own account, two or three weeks last season on an ankle in which a season-ending stress fracture was eventually discovered.

Don't forget, either, David Lee's "day-to-day" leg and ankle injuries last season that ended up virtually costing him the entire season. And Quentin Richardson's day-to-day back problem that eventually required surgery.

Bottom line, the Knicks call Crawford "probable" to play today and Thomas said "I doubt it" when asked if Marbury would.

Spend time around the Knicks, though, and a part of you thinks Crawford doesn't play (and could be out beyond that) and Marbury not only does, but starts _ even after doing nothing but drills and post-practice conditioning Saturday.

He, by the way, didn't speak to reporters, something he hasn't done since Dec. 16 _ the last time he practiced formally before his last game appearance Dec. 17 in the blowout loss to Indiana.

No problem with that. Just get a red flag ready regarding Crawford and don't be surprised if Marbury plays Sunday.