Keeping the ’Big Mo’ in Right Direction
by Tom Kertes


GREENBURGH, NY, March 11, 2005 -- Finally, some major momentum.
Five victories in the last six games, seven straight wins at home -- mostly against quality opponents. So what do the upwardly mobile Knicks get in return for all their hard -- and of-late successful -- labor?

A five-day layoff. A stretchy in-season rest that would be oh-so-welcome any time -- except right now.

So what do you do to keep The Big Mo going in the right direction? How do you remind players not to forget the little things that made them winners? How do you keep the heat on the sizzle?

“Run practices like today,” power forward Malik Rose says, after rubbing the “Knicks” sign on the wall behind him for good luck. (”I want people to know exactly where I’m at,” he smiles.) “We really went at it. We came out and played hard. It was real satisfying, really good.”

“Basically, that’s all you can do,” agrees coach Herb Williams. “Keep the team sharp in practice. A lot of times an extra-edgy practice carries over to the game. And the guys have been really good about coming in and doing the work. I appreciate it because this is the time of the season when so many players’ bodies could use the rest. But they are being extremely competitive. We went at it pretty good today.”

“Believe me, we are very aware of our predicament,” two guard Jamal Crawford says. “And that’s giving us that extra edge. We are very confident, loose, and happy together right now. We know what time it is -- and we’re playing our best ball of the season.”

That applies especially to Crawford himself who’s not only playing his best ball but a decidedly different style of ball as well. “I’m being more patient,” he smiles. “I’m getting my teammates involved. My goal is to become a great all-around player. Basically, I’m doing the changing by myself. I’ve been looking at a lot of tape and stuff. I want to be the type of player other guys like to play with.”

“I talked to him some, sure,” smiles Williams. “But Jamal is really doing this on his own initiative. His problem was holding on to the ball too long; our offense would stop while watching him, and he’d be forced to put up an undesirable shot. But he’s always making the extra pass lately while taking the good shot. He has the right mix now.”

One good thing about the enforced rest is the chance the new Knicks are getting to learn the system. “It’s like a brief training camp for them,” says Williams. “And for Mo (Taylor) who was on the IR in Houston, it’s also a chance to get in shape. For Malik (Rose) the big difference is on defense. In San Antonio, where they had all those great shot blockers, they didn’t use much help. We have no shot blockers so we use help defense -- then we try to get back to our own man -- on nearly every possession.”

The classy Rose, acquired in a Feb. 24. trade, was pretty excited about being here in the first place -- but as he gets more comfortable with teammates, the system, and his sorroundings, his emotions are growing ever hotter. “I know we’re 5-1 since Mo and myself got here,” he smiles. “Whether we deserve any credit is up to you guys to decide, I guess. For myself, I think this team actually started to play better in the win against Philly before we ever played one minute. But I tell you one thing: for a team to go through a 3-18 stretch -- to take the worst the NBA has to offer -- and still be in a fight for a playoff spot says volumes about the character, perseverance, and talent of the guys on this team. I’m proud to be around them.”

“And yes, I have the little night light shining on the top of my hat every night studying the play-book all hours,” the always blue-collared Rose added with a smile. “I’ve got my nose deep in that thing, man, at every opportunity, particularly because I have to do a little more here with the Knicks. So things becoming second nature, it’s very important.”

As the race for the playoffs grows more intense, the quality of the Knicks opposition is getting that much tougher. The next two home opponents are division leaders Seattle and Miami -- with a visit TO Shaq (O'Neal) coming up on March 19. “One game at a time,” cautions Crawford. “But, sure, we know how great the Sonics are. And I’m guarding Ray Allen, who’s unreal. Luckily, I worked out with him all summer so I know what to expect.”

“A great three point shooting team with five shooters spreading the floor at times,” says Rose. “They’re also tough one-on-one. And when I was with the Spurs, Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans just killed us down low.”

“The key to the Sonics is to keep them from shooting a lot of three-s,” says Williams. “Of course, you also have to get to them in transition and make sure you keep the ball in front of you. They’re not in first place by accident, you know. They are a great team.”

“That’s okay,” smiles Crawford. “The way we feel about ourselves, and the way we’re playing right now, we can beat any team in the NBA at home. And when I say any team, I mean any team.”