http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/38084.htm

January 13, 2005 -- Jamal Crawford gave a stronger endorsement for Knick coach Lenny Wilkens than Isiah Thomas ever has. While doing so, he managed a dig at his former Chicago coaches.
The Knicks (17-18) play a home-and-home against Chicago on Saturday at United Center and Monday at the Garden. Crawford, who's missed three weeks with turf toe, is at least 10 days away from returning and will miss the Bulls set. Crawford played four seasons in Chicago under three coaches, Tim Floyd, Bill Cartwright and current headmaster Scott Skiles.

"Lenny's the best coach I've ever played for," Crawford said. "He really is. That's not to say anything bad about Skiles or any of the others, but he's forgotten more than all those guys know."

Wilkens has been on Crawford all season for poor shot selection.

"He's a Hall of Famer," Crawford said. "He explains to me what I do wrong. I love him for that. He's really genuine."

Crawford believes Wilkens should not be fired.

"[The speculation] bothers me because I feel we're prepared," Crawford said. "It's the players. We have to come out with effort and we have to play hard. We can't put it on the coach.

"I could say he has taken me under his wing more than any other coach has. Skiles was a good coach. Scott knew what he was talking about. But for me, coach Wilkens is better."

Wilkens is even instructing Crawford while he's on the injured list. "He's learning even when he's not playing," Wilkens said. "I ask him, 'What do you see? You're watching the game.' I expect [improved ball movement] when he comes back."

Some believe Thomas made his .500 remark to justify an impending roster shakeup, but sources claim he has yet to approach Sacramento about a Chris Webber deal. Tim Thomas, Penny Hardaway, Moochie Norris and Nazr Mohammed are of value to another team looking to get under the cap in the summer of 2006, such as Sacramento. The Knicks would have to take back longer-termed contracts, such as Webber's.

The Knicks need to make hay now because they could sink well below .500 after a brutal stretch of nine games that begins Jan. 25, ends Feb. 9 and includes a six-game road trip. It begins with Phoenix and Cleveland at home, then Detroit, Clippers, Denver, Sacramento, Phoenix and Utah on road, concluding with Miami at the Garden.

I was just pointing this out on another board:

Wilkens is even instructing Crawford while he's on the injured list. "He's learning even when he's not playing," Wilkens said. "I ask him, 'What do you see? You're watching the game.' I expect [improved ball movement] when he comes back."

if you played for a coach that allowed you to take 40 to 50 shots a game nevermind the fact that his defense is shabby

would you endorse him or not

from the chicago sun times...

Crawford is not surprised the Bulls seem to be turning the corner.

"Skiles has them playing hard, especially on defense,'' Crawford said. "And when teams are healthy, play hard and defend well, they will always have a good chance to win.

"Obviously, we're pretty banged up right now.''

Crawford may miss another two to four weeks. The Knicks went 13-13 with Crawford and are 4-5 since his injury.

Crawford's stats are slightly up from his Bulls days. He has hit two game-winning shots, but he hasn't been able to shake the tags of occasional defender and overeager shooter.

Still, Thomas has no regrets in giving Crawford the seven-year, $57 million deal that boosted the Knicks' payroll to a league-leading $103 million.

"Without Jamal, we could [have started the season] 5-15, and the season could be over,'' Thomas said. "Jamal made it possible for us to be competitive when Allan [Houston] missed the first 18 games of the season. He has also gives us better backcourt depth for when Allan is healthy again.

"We're struggling now because of injuries, and Jamal is now among the injured, and that's not his fault. But when he was healthy, he clearly showed he is what we needed to be better, and he has done everything we have asked him to do.

"He's impressive not just from the standpoint of talent but from the standpoint of learning. He's like a sponge. Lenny says he picks up things fast, is a great listener, and he works real well with Stephon [Marbury]. Once our backcourt gets healthy, I like our chances to win consistently and contend.''

If that happens, those cardboard cutouts are going to be difficult to ignore.

Crawford may miss another two to four weeks.

That's the first update I've heard. That's really awful! The Knicks need to go out and sign a stop gap SG who can at least get down the court on transition defense because Houston's transition D is killing the team.