Crawford's got the potential to be a star player though...he's already putting up very good numbers & he's only 23...based on talent alone, the obvious choice is Crawford...the only question is who is worth the money they will likely make next year...i think Crawford at 7 years & $55 million is reasonable, but if they go up to $70 million, then it's way overpriced.

I love what Frank Williams did in the playoffs with Jason Kidd- but I can only see Frank W developing into a really good version of Charlie Ward- a 'gutsy' leader who hits key shots, makes some good passes.

I can't see Frank being a difference maker in a game- where the other team needs to change what they do defensively to stop him.

Crawford is that kind of talent-

Craw would be at the crossroads with knicks. With security at hand, he can either take the Rip Hamilton route and becomes a team player doing the little things to win and scoring,

Or

The "Rickey Buckets" thing and it be about Rickey for Rickey.

I love Frank. I remember all his great games (like the four game stretch from Memphis to Orlando, Denver, etc.), but I think people are forgetting the many games he played where he had the deer in the headlights look on his face and seemed to not be on the court.

Similarly, he played FANTASTIC defense against Kidd and showed some much needed toughness against, but his total lack of an outside shot in the series prevented the Knicks from being able to use him more, because Frank on the floor meant that Marbury got double teamed the second he crossed half court.

Crawford had ups and downs in his season too, but there were far more ups. He's a much better outside shooter, but his shot selection overall has been poor. He's a better slasher and seems to be on a par with Frank in passing (assist numbers really don't mean much in Frank's case, he never got enough time with ball). But Jamal is far quicker and faster and bigger than Frank. He plays not only SG but PG. As a PG he's extremely valuable and the ability to play Jamal and Steph together would make for the most explosive back court in the league. In my mind, you have to get Jamal if you can get him for the prices we've read about. Rip Hamilton is a good comparison (in terms of how he blossomed once he left Washington and found a home).

I love Frank, but if you can use him to get Jamal Crawford, you have to do it. I do feel like Crawford would drastically improve this team's chances. How would that series against the Nets gone if we had an outside shooter/play maker to prevent the Nets from doubling Stephon? It would've been more interesting.

Jamal definitely has more trade value than Frank. You have to remember that some GM's don't even know who Frank is. Yes, he did a good job on Kidd in the playoffs. Yes, we were undefeated when Frankie started. However, he still only averaged 4 ppg and 2 apg. Frank's trade value will only get high when he gets enough minutes to boost his numbers up. As someone mentioned earlier, Frankie has potential to be a good 6th man off the bench (like a Bobby Jackson), maybe even a decent starting pg. Crawford on the other hand, has the raw talent and the potential to be a star.

[Edited by - s3231 on 07/26/2004 16:59:20]

While I agree that Craw is downright better, but you are also givin FW no love at all man.

He is an above average defender. Small, big, quick, slow, FW is both strong and deceptively quick. I'v seen him play very nice defense man, on quick guards, too.

He is a nice passer, looks to pass all the time. He is also a good rebounder for a PG. He can finish at the rim. He does blow by people, I'v seen it. He def has an average crossover and great understanding of the game which allows him to outsmart opposing defenders.

His shot was improving by leaps and bounds last year, he developed a nice 3pt shot that he was hitting with some consistency.

They guy he reminds me of is Snow. Except with better defense. I really feel that FW can be a a real stopper at the 1.

frank william was a street ball legend back in illinois, this dude is faster than he looks and he got some crazy handles, i heard he is playing with marbury on fat joe's team this year and they will be able to have that rematch against jamal creezy and jay-z's team.

I actually LOVE the fact that Jamal's a combo guard with the playmaking skills of a PG. It's a deadly combination when you have 2 guards with great playmaking skills.



[Edited by - Bonn1997 on 07/26/2004 23:37:26]

No reason for us not to develop a 2guard ourselves, maybe keeping Hawkins. Houston will be gone in 2 years, Craw will start,and if we have a guy waiting to be the backup at the 2, we'd be golden.