By HOWARD BECK
Published: April 13, 2005

Jamal Crawford came to New York with a $56 million contract in his hands and a filing cabinet full of expectations to match it.

At various stages, he was promoted as the symbol of the Knicks' pseudo-youth movement, a creative scorer who would energize Madison Square Garden and, not incidentally, the guard who would be expected to replace Allan Houston some day.

Crawford is indeed young, as his sometimes impetuous style attests - although that same boundless creativity has endeared him to the crowd. But rather than ease into his new environment - as a reserve in a three-guard rotation, as the Knicks envisioned - Crawford was pressed into a prominent role because of Houston's continued knee troubles.

The results have been mixed. Crawford, 25, has been the Knicks' second-best scorer all season, averaging 17 points. But his shooting from the field has hovered around 39 percent, a clear indication that he has much to learn.

At Coach Herb Williams's urging, Crawford has used the last two months of the season to diversify his game. It is a self-improvement project that Crawford will take into the off-season, which begins in eight days.

"It definitely changed as the year went on," Crawford said before last night's 105-93 loss to the Toronto Raptors at the Garden. "Before, I was just scoring a lot, and then it became a point where I made a really concentrated effort on passing. I think my game is definitely going to be more well rounded going into the future."

Crawford struggled last night, and the Knicks lost a 17-point lead in the second half. Toronto, which outscored the Knicks by 67-39 in the half, used a 20-4 run to get back in the game in the third quarter, and took control with a 17-1 run in the fourth.

Chris Bosh led Toronto with 29 points and 8 rebounds. Jalen Rose scored 25 points. Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 22 points. Maurice Taylor scored 17 points and had 7 rebounds.

The loss was the Knicks' 10th in 11 games.

"I thought we could have come out with a little more effort and played harder," Williams said in an angry tone. "Especially here at home, in front of our fans. You've got to come out and play with some pride, and you've got to put it on the line."

Crawford plans to return next season with a more well-rounded musculature.

Greg Brittenham, the Knicks' strength coach, is devising an off-season training regimen for Crawford, who needs to add upper-body strength now that he is a full-time shooting guard. After spending most of his career as a point guard, Crawford has had difficulty when bigger guards take him into the post.

Crawford began weight-training during the season, adding eight pounds.

"We'd like to continue to build upon that," said Brittenham, who noted that the slightly built Crawford was much stronger than he looked.

Crawford plans to split his summer between his Seattle-area home and New York.

"I'm definitely going to get stronger," he said. "Greg's one of the best I've ever seen, so I'm sure he'll put something together for me."

Crawford has plans for his game, too.

"I think next year you'll see a whole lot more of me driving," he said. "I think I let people off the hook a lot by settling for jumpers."

Williams has been encouraged by Crawford's progress this season.

"He wants to become a complete player, and he's one of the guys that when you talk to him, he's real sincere about trying to get better," Williams said. "You can see it in his eyes. And when he makes mistakes, when you talk to him, he's always agreeable. So he's one of the guys I don't worry about."

Houston will be rehabilitating his knee this summer, putting the Knicks on a collision course for a replay of last fall's shooting-guard debate.

Crawford admits he is still figuring out how to thrive in his new position and has not considered what could happen next fall.

"I know we'll all be on floor during the game," Crawford said, referring also to Houston and Marbury.

As the Knicks were hammered last night, the boos returned to the Garden. Crawford considers it all part of the New York experience.

"There's nothing like playing in New York, and I've loved every second of it," he said. "Even with the bad criticism. It's weird, you may get bad criticism from writers or whatever, but every time you see somebody on the street, the fans, they're always supportive. Always. Always. That's definitely helped balance it out."

REBOUNDS

Tim Thomas returned to the starting lineup after sitting two games to rest a sore left knee. He finished with 11 points in 29 minutes. ... Kurt Thomas missed all five field-goal attempts and went scoreless for the second time this season. He fouled out in 26 minutes.

I like Jamal and am supporting him, but my reaction to this interview is . . . words, words, words.

Crawford is all talk, and because he is intelligent and comes across as sincere everyone tends to believe him.....

Well i don't i listened to this overpaid, heartless chucker all season saying you know we didn't come out hard tonight, talk about taking better shots and then watched him cross over fadeaway and launch behind the arc.....

Don't talk about it....Be about it

Nothing personal, I like the dude. I hope the words turn to reality.

We get lots of words the last few years. MOre wins, less words. Talk is cheap, this roster is not.

oh great now we're gonna pass up on Gerald Green if he's on the board because we're going to relying on Crawford putting on weight and suddenly learning how to play defense and essentially learning how to actually play basketball! I REALLY HOPE THEY ARE SERIOUS CONTEMPLATING FINDING A REAL SG AND MAKING JAMAL THE COMBO GUARD OFF THE BENCH

dont forget Kobe


It depends on the players attitude. Every draft pick has a 50-50 shot at panning out. None of those busts you've mentioned could shoot the ball the way Gerald Green can and jump through the roof the way he does.

$56 mil is alot of pay for a work in progress (actually +$20 w/ jyd).

enough with these articles and people saying the "right" things. ALL BALL has become ALL TALK this past season. they should all just shut up and put up before it becomes ALL BULL next year.

finley/allen/zach - one of them are coming b/c they need to replenish the season ticket base (after many, like myself, are leaving after this one).

the kid is green...it's like everyone forgot our pre-season plans:

But rather than ease into his new environment - as a reserve in a three-guard rotation, as the Knicks envisioned - Crawford was pressed into a prominent role because of Houston's continued knee troubles.

Posted by gunsnewing:

dont forget Kobe

Or Deshawn Stevenson... where was your attitude at 19? The problem is at that age they may think they have a great attitude, but its actually sucky. Then when they are called it they think they are being picked on.

Posted by diderotn:

That is what is wrong with N.Y. We always want to trade the guys that work their butts off for this organization

Posted by TMS:

Posted by joec32033:

I think a strong consderation should be given to tradinf Steph and using Craw the way Miami uses DWade.

i would definitely not have a problem w/trading Marbury, but i just don't see Isiah doing it...i love the idea of using Crawford like Wade, but they're just completely different type players...Marbury is actually alot more like Wade than Crawford is in that he's strong to the hole & draws fouls while driving in the lane...other players thrive off his penetration...Crawford jacks up way too many 3's to be comparable...if he really works on building up his body over the offseason & changes his style of play like he says, then maybe he would be more of a Wade type player.

I agree with that part of your (Diderton's) message. I'd be *willing* to trade Marbury, but it would take an outstanding offer--one that I just don't expect any team to make right now.