The Crawford Files

Hi Jamal. I'm a very big fan and supporter of yours, but at the same time, as a Knicks and bball fan, I can also see some of the things that you need to improve on. I have no doubt that you know these things you need to improve on. So I ask that you just give it your all on both ends and continue growing stronger and wiser, and I'm sure good things will happen for you, therefore, for the Knicks as well.

Go JC! Go Knicks!

hey jamal, not for nothin but... don't you think it's time for a new name to the blog? maybe, something like...

"good clean fun"
or
"wwjcd if he had a blog"

keep crossin fools! i'm a knick fan and i think the things you've done to kirk hinrich and countless other chumps is just downright offensive to the cities they play in. and thats how i like it!

Eddie doesn't play D so he can't be an all-star but he can be a foundation for a good team if he played hard every night. As the new leader of this team I'm disappointed to hear that you haven't seen Eddie all summer. Isn't he supposed to be the franchise with you going forward? As the leader of that team you have to be on him Jamal. Do you think Jordan would have let his best teamate continually show up to camp out of shape? Work out with him, spend a week with him at your camp, whatever but don't leave him to his own devices.

Whatever happend to player only practices and meeting up over the summer with your teamates to develop chemistry? This is actually what i have been harping about for awhile, no offense Jamal, but the Knicks need a true leader who can be an extension of the coach off the court and in the locker room to motivate these guys.

Great blog Jamal,

One question I would love for you to cover is why do you think you had such a great INDIVIDUAL year under Larry Brown? Granted the team was bad but you really seemed to "get it" that year. Do you agree? For the first time in your career your FT attempts were higher than 3pt attempts. That stat speaks volumes for you. I would love to see you get back to playing that style

Hi again Jamal, glad you took some of the advice to heart.

You wrote in your latest post:

"But sometimes that's easier said then done because you're the focus of the other defense and you have to take what they give you. Sometimes it looks like its just me and that guy guarding me at the top, but there's 4 other guys behind him looking to help!!"

I feel like that sometimes myself when I play but of course I'm not facing NBA ballers like you are. To prepare for situations like you described I would work on penetrating and kicking the ball to the
open man.

You have amazing ball handling skills Jamal and as you wrote, when they see you coming down the floor multiple defenders take notice when you are in the zone.

Improving your ability to find the open man in traffic will make it very difficult for their defense to react because they know that if a defender plays you too close, you can blow right by them or find an open teammate, if they don't help your defender when you are driving to the rim they know that you have the skills to finish.

Sometimes when players don't kick the ball out enough, defenders will collapse on him because they know that he won't give up the ball. I guarantee that if you can improve your ability to find the open man off the dribble you will make coach D want to keep you around a long time and it will take you to the next level.

Knowing when to kick it out to the open man is what made the Suns and coach D'Antoni so successful, and so much fun to watch. Hope I see everyone (not just you) doing that a lot more next season. I get the feeling that players who don't know when to give up the ball won't be in a Knicks uni very long, coach D won't have it. Thanks again for letting us share our thoughts with you and you sharing your thoughts with us.
Go Knicks!
Bob

As a Knick fan for over 25 years I have to ask, when do you and Eddy expect to make it to your first playoff game? No BS, will it be this year or do we have to wait for Lebron if/when he gets here?

Don't mean to sound like a hater, I'm more of a frustrated fan, and I don't want to wait much longer.

And don't give me we're trying because after watching that display last year you all weren't. You all are paid (After all the Knicks are the team with by far the highest payroll) why should you all be motivated to do better. We boo you all, then you all start hustling (still losing) and like fools we clap because you’re hustling. Not you, the only time you hustle is on offense. With your crazy shot selection as if you we’re playing street ball. With your other nut boy from Seattle, Nate.

Sorry man I was expecting big things from this team last year and right of the bat Anucha, Marburry leaving the team, Eddy crying cause Zach shooting to much, etc.. It’s pretty embarrassing being a Knick fan these days. No more promises, take a page out the Giant book, talk is cheap, show me, and make me a believer again.

Jamal, I feel you trying to defend your man Eddy but let's be honest. Let's not talk about what he did 2 years ago. We all know he can score but what he has to improve on is defense. In your next post, please try to give us a reason why Curry can't rebound the ball. I would love to hear from someone that speaks with him on the regular about why he just can't seem to get that part of the game down packed.
Also.....I posed this question to the bloggers before and nobody was able to answer it.
Jamal, have you ever seen a player that is so dominant on the offensive end of the court but yet is so non existent on the defensive end? The way Curry plays offense, you would think he would be able to play defense a little better than he does right?
I do happen to think you and Duhon would make a good backcourt but that's only in spurts. I need to see more of Duhon before I can really pass judgement on him.
Let me know when the next time you'll be at the sports club in White Plains.
Oh, I almost forgot...what do you think of Zach being traded to the Grizzlies for Darko and Marco?
Do you think we should include a first round pick?
I'm going to tell you the truth also...alot of people here think your a top tier shooting guard however, I tend to disagree.
I think your missing the one thing that would take your game to all star status........and that's a post up game.
If you noticed, and I'm sure you have since you play against them all the time......all the guards in the top tier have a post game.
Wade, Kobe, etc...they all have post games.
If you were to add this element to your game...sky is the limit.
Plus you would get to the line more.
Work on your post up game Jamal!!!!!!!!!
I don't want to hear about you being to skinny because Payton was skinny also but he always abused guards in the post.
100

I'm glad to see that you are at least OPEN to dialog. That alone is a sign of progress. As far as taking what the defense gives you, sure that's understandable. But does that mean you have to chuck it up when the defense has given you something bad?

I am a firm believer that at least until now........you have been your own worst enemy. There is the good Jamal Crawford and the bad Jamal Crawford and in any given game, you dont know which one is going to show up. In fact, sometimes, it changes in a single game from one quarter to another, from one half to another.

CONSISTENCY. When are we going to see that from Jamal Crawford?

In my humble opinion, you have the most potential of all players on the Knicks, but also in my humble opinion, your actions sometimes say that you dont realize your own potential.

The Jamal at the top of the key isolation play........I know that wasn't your call, it was the coach's call and I really really hope our new coach plans to use you better than THAT!!

Last year, in your own words, you said.......
"This year we have to do it. This year, if we don't do it, we don't have any excuses....etc etc". Well your very first blog on here offered.......excuses.

Fans do realize that you are a player, not management, and not everything is under your control, but fans also realize that you need to be a vocal leader on the floor, because you do have that potential.

We can talk about this all day, but let's for a second assume that you will continue this blog at least till the beginning of the 2009-10 season (as and when you find time). Let's also assume for a second (albeit pessimistically) that the Knicks dont make the playoffs in the 2008-09 season.

In this case, when Jamal Crawford writes his blog before the next season begins, will we be hearing new excuses as to why the Knicks didnt make the playoffs? Or will we hear about how Jamal Crawford needs to grow his game further?

Again, I am glad, and pretty sure more fans than not are also glad that you chose to write this blog and listen to the fanbase. But at the end of the day.......isn't talk cheap?

Question for Eddy Curry (maybe you can ask him from us): When is he going to stop being nice on the court to other centers in the league?

Hey Jamal,

Im actually a fan from ur days in chicago. Just wanted to let you know that you are still the man and I hope you guys do well this year. I have two questions for you. Is Abdul Gaddy going to Arizona or UCLA and is Z-Bo getting traded to Memphis? Other than that, just keep up the good work and improving.

Hey Jamal,

Im actually a fan from ur days in chicago. Just wanted to let you know that you are still the man and I hope you guys do well this year. I have two questions for you. Is Abdul Gaddy going to Arizona or UCLA and is Z-Bo getting traded to Memphis? Other than that, just keep up the good work and improving.

When Mr. Curry starts collecting more boards, more defensive fouls than offensive ones, then you're not going to have to defend him to disappointed fans.

thanks for making the blog

the one thing i think Knick fans need right now is to feel like their voice is being heard, this hopefully will help with all of that...

when does the saratoga camp start? im in upstate, i know some places ya'll may wanna check out in between suicides..

about shot selection, you settle because you're not pushin hard enough no offense. same problem with Z-bo, its that scorers mentality that you talked about in your last blog, you think you can make all your shots, so why work for a 4ft contact layup when,in your head, you're sure you can hit a 17ft jumper just the same...

problem is, YOU can hit the 17 jumper when you're squared and not tryin to do too much...Z-bo....yeah.

Eddie needs a wake up call. be consistent and show WHY you even HAVE a spot in the league. Stop crying, we support you all because we're proud of our team. Some NBA players may think we're suckers and a bunch of losers who have nothing better to do than give them problems and play critic, but its tough to swallow when I can say "I saw the Knicks play two GREAT games in MSG in the playoffs....they lost them both to an ok Nets team and got swept. i still have no idea HOW we even made it to this point this year". And since that sweep by the Nets on our home floor, we havent grown any.

as a long time Knick fan, hopefully this year will turn a new page and bring in a look of the old-time Knicks. Please, if you havent, pick up the Knicks Championship DVD set....get familiar with Oakley, Starks,Rivers,and the others. I'd assume that you have but..if you had, id pray it woulda brought inspiration for change.

Larry Johnson did NOT play in any other market like he did in NY. Was he solid other places? yes. But he played DIFFERENTLY in NY.

Seattle does have great players now, but please dont forget what got us all here.

Jamal,

- What are your thoughts on the lunacy of Isiah being your coach for as long as he was? I mean playing for this guy must have been frustrating because on one hand its a job for you and you make a lot of money thanks to isiah signing you to a huge contract but on the other hand the guy is clueless and has made the knicks into one of the worst franchises of the DECADE?

- My other question is...moving forward, do you think it makes sense to go with the defenseless system of D'Antoni because its better than the previous regime? or do you think in the long term to win a chamionship there is more of a need to focus on defense?

In any case, I think that you are under rated and you play hard.

~Zack

Hey Jamal,
I'm a diehard Knicks fan and last year I became a season subscriber for the first time. Boy was that bad timing! I had thoughts of playoff basketball in my head and of course we all know what actually happened. With the changes that have been made so far I decided to renew my tixs having a lot of confidence in D'Antoni and Walsh to put together an exciting team. After all that is what we are paying for, an exciting brand of winning basketball. Having said all that, how do you see yourself stepping up as a leader this season? I have noticed that your maturity each season has increased and after having met you at an autograph signing last year I could tell your genuine when you speak and an overall nice person. You've become one of my favorite Knicks not only cause of your play but how you carry yourself with so much class off the court. I personally would like to see you penetrate and dish as much as you shoot, not just cause like many have said your shot selection should be improved, but actually I feel like those 2 skills are tremendous strengths in your game that have gone untapped, do you plan on bringing those strengths to the game more often so that JC and the Knicks are posterizing more than being posterized??!!

Hey JC,
I'm 28 and have been a Knicks fan since i coulod remember. I live in Los Angeles and come out to see you guys every year. I usually sit right behind the bench when you guys play the clippers cause the seats arent that hard to get. Anyways, if i can give you one piece of advice it would be to look at the team when Ewing, Allan Houston and Latrell were leading the team. I remember they used to all get in a huddle after every game and pray with each other. I know it may be weird but honestly it got the team together. They played hard for each other and they werent selfish. They were an 8th place team and found a way to make it to the finals. Leadership is so important and playing for each other. You guys could be so good.....its just important to have good quality people....i think zach is selfish on the court and i hope he gets traded contract and all...marbury the same...he cares only about himself..and to be honest he isnt exactly a model citizen..i dont think ur selfish...i think you believe in yourself and sometimes do not play within a system (although im not sure if there ever was a system in the past few years)....Ive coached basketball and seen so many teams with much less talent win games (and championships) based soley on the fact that they always make the extra pass and trust each other. Thanks for reading and i love this blog. ....Best of luck JC and you have my support through thick and thin......

Just another big Knicks Fan,
TSamuel

Jamal, you have to get on your team man. I agree with one of the comments that asked the question as to why you didnt see Eddie all summer. You have to motivate him as a big man in this league. Look at Andrew bynum, who before he got injured, was in sick shape. But truth be told, he still cant defend curry on the box. So you have to let Curry know, that in order to be the best center in the league, he has to have self dicipline and really train to be in the best shape of his life. This is a turn around year for you and Eddie. Dont let him slip up. I dont want to remember Curry as just having talent.

Jamal,

I'm a fan of yours. Not a HUGE fan yet because I still feel that you've got about 3 more gears in you that you haven't used yet. I think under Dantoni, you'll be able to get there.

I have one critique besides the obvious ones you've admitted to (shot selection, settling for the jumper, defense) and that is that little 'teardrop' floater you take when going to the basket. I feel like it's a lazy mans shot you're taking and like you said, you're letting the defense off the hook. It's very low percentage and since you're going soft to the basket, you don't get the call to go to the line. I feel that if you took it hard to the basket with a traditional layup, you'd make more of them and DEFINITELY get to the line more often. There might be some more wear and tear, from the fouls, but there's not a defensive player in the league that's going to stop you from getting into the paint. It seemed like some teams wanted you to go in and take that floater. Go hard, they'll start slacking off you and that'll open up your outside game instead of you having to 'shake and bake' from the outside to get an open jumper (might also cut down on the palming violations).

Understand that this is just a critique from a die hard fan. I think you're a very good (hopefully great pretty soon) player and a stand up citizen this city can be proud of. I also feel you and David Lee are the only untouchables on the roster. Take a look at this list of Easter Conference shooting guards (pulled from espn). I believe you're better than all of them except for Wade and maybe Rip. I think you've got Mr. Glass... ahem... Vince Carter beat. You should be in the mix for the all star team this year if you go hard. Just a thought...
A
Adams, Hassan
Afflalo, Arron
Ager, Maurice
Allen, Ray
Allen, Tony
Anderson, Alan
Anderson, Derek
B
Bell, Charlie
Blalock, Will
Bogans, Keith
Bozeman, Cedric
Brown, Dee
Brown, Shannon
C
Carroll, Matt
Carter, Vince
Chase, Brian
Collins, Mardy
Cook, Daequan
Crawford, Jamal
Curry, JamesOn
D
Daniels, Marquis
Delfino, Carlos
Diawara, Yakhouba
Dixon, Juan
Dunleavy, Mike
E
Evans, Maurice
G
Gardner, Thomas
Gordon, Ben
Green, Willie
Greer, Lynn
H
Hamilton, Richard
Hardaway, Anfernee
Hite, Robert
Hodge, Julius
Hughes, Larry
J
Jack, Jarrett
Johnson, Joe
Jones, Bobby
Jones, Fred
M
Marshall, Rawle
McCray, Chris
P
Parker, Anthony
Pavlovic, Sasha
R
Ray, Allan
Redd, Michael
Redick, J.J.
Richardson, Jason
Roberson, Anthony
Rush, Kareem
S
Sefolosha, Thabo
Stevenson, DeShawn
Stoudamire, Salim
Stuckey, Rodney
T
Taylor, Donell
Thomas, Billy
Thompson, Dijon
W
Wade, Dwyane
Wesley, David
West, Delonte
West, Mario
Williams, Eric

Jamal,

I'm a fan of yours. Not a HUGE fan yet because I still feel that you've got about 3 more gears in you that you haven't used yet. I think under Dantoni, you'll be able to get there.

I have one critique besides the obvious ones you've admitted to (shot selection, settling for the jumper, defense) and that is that little 'teardrop' floater you take when going to the basket. I feel like it's a lazy mans shot you're taking and like you said, you're letting the defense off the hook. It's very low percentage and since you're going soft to the basket, you don't get the call to go to the line. I feel that if you took it hard to the basket with a traditional layup, you'd make more of them and DEFINITELY get to the line more often. There might be some more wear and tear, from the fouls, but there's not a defensive player in the league that's going to stop you from getting into the paint. It seemed like some teams wanted you to go in and take that floater. Go hard, they'll start slacking off you and that'll open up your outside game instead of you having to 'shake and bake' from the outside to get an open jumper (might also cut down on the palming violations).

Understand that this is just a critique from a die hard fan. I think you're a very good (hopefully great pretty soon) player and a stand up citizen this city can be proud of. I also feel you and David Lee are the only untouchables on the roster. Take a look at this list of Easter Conference shooting guards (pulled from espn). I believe you're better than all of them except for Wade and maybe Rip. I think you've got Mr. Glass... ahem... Vince Carter beat. You should be in the mix for the all star team this year if you go hard. Just a thought...
A
Adams, Hassan
Afflalo, Arron
Ager, Maurice
Allen, Ray
Allen, Tony
Anderson, Alan
Anderson, Derek
B
Bell, Charlie
Blalock, Will
Bogans, Keith
Bozeman, Cedric
Brown, Dee
Brown, Shannon
C
Carroll, Matt
Carter, Vince
Chase, Brian
Collins, Mardy
Cook, Daequan
Crawford, Jamal
Curry, JamesOn
D
Daniels, Marquis
Delfino, Carlos
Diawara, Yakhouba
Dixon, Juan
Dunleavy, Mike
E
Evans, Maurice
G
Gardner, Thomas
Gordon, Ben
Green, Willie
Greer, Lynn
H
Hamilton, Richard
Hardaway, Anfernee
Hite, Robert
Hodge, Julius
Hughes, Larry
J
Jack, Jarrett
Johnson, Joe
Jones, Bobby
Jones, Fred
M
Marshall, Rawle
McCray, Chris
P
Parker, Anthony
Pavlovic, Sasha
R
Ray, Allan
Redd, Michael
Redick, J.J.
Richardson, Jason
Roberson, Anthony
Rush, Kareem
S
Sefolosha, Thabo
Stevenson, DeShawn
Stoudamire, Salim
Stuckey, Rodney
T
Taylor, Donell
Thomas, Billy
Thompson, Dijon
W
Wade, Dwyane
Wesley, David
West, Delonte
West, Mario
Williams, Eric

Jamal, you didn't touch on the negative comments. Do you think the so-called "haters" are right? I think people are right to criticize you because you say the same stuff every year and nothing happens. I don't know if that was part of the MSG propaganda plan but this is your blog now. This is you. If you're to keep saying "I'm changing" every year, please actually do it. You are a 9 year pro. Act like one please. Besides that, nice blog.

JC big fan of yours and I hope you are around when Walsh and Mike bring some players in to the fold and the Knicks begin to win again.

People may have opinions about your game and how good you are, all I know is you are a gamer and that's what I like about you the most. Kinda like Spreewell. Ewings career was winding down, Allen Houston was the 100 million dollar and LJ was a vet leader...... but Spreewell was the heart of the Knicks. You to are the same and irregardless of who makes what amount of money, you seem to have been the Heart of the Knicks. I only hope you get to play with players like Houston, Ewing, and LJ.

Because when Kobe, Wade, LBJ or any other player people recognize as a star plays the Knicks, it's you who is going toe to toe with them and holding your own most nights. So all I can say is what ever you are doing, do it better. Go Faster, go further, go harder. In a year or two it will You, Danillo and a Bigtime Free Agent going toe to toe with those players.

I agree with Knicks4Life. Why is there all this mystery about Eddy's condition? How is this team going to gel when there's so little communication?

yo crawford
i got alot of moves
wish i could teach u some
my style of b-ball is some what like yours
i got crazy handle but i luv shooting from deep an i'm talking about behind the 3ptline
but i'm not in the pros
so what u gotta do is break the D down take it to the hoop is either u got the shot or kick it out

what's going on with marbury i heard u an starbury are good friends true or not?
i just want marbury to be the player he is an not the player he has become he is better than that

yo crawford be the player the really are an the player u think u can be thatz my best advise son

stay tuned for more KnowLedge

Curry needs to step it up definitely. I'm tired of hearing about his great potential, the fact is that he hasn't lived up to the hype. We gave up multiple lottery picks, one that could of given us a Seattle TRIO of You, Nate and Brandon Roy. Very excited about this year and it should be fun to watch especially Wilson Chandler and his deveolpment.

threeeeeeee poiiiiiiiint field goooooooal... jamaaaaaaaaaaal crawforddd!

my mannnnnnnnnn

Jamal, big Knicks fan here, and honestly, a big Jamal Crawford fan. I don't expect you to agree, but Isaiah Thomas absolutely drove this team into the ground, created a horrible culture and brought in some "bad boys", but you rose above all that. Some say you aren't a "winner" but honestly, what good teams have you been on? Throughout these last few, trying years, I've seen nothing but 110% effort from you, as New Yorkers, that's all we ask for. Isaiah was under the belief that "you can't rebuild in New York," and that's not true at all. We fans would have loved to see the Knicks get under the cap to make a run at some free agents.

But the past is the past, Jamal. You've got a great opportunity in front of you. You've gotta be excited to play under Mike D'Antoni. I hope you put in extra wind sprints this summer, because he's going to take your game to a whole new level. Anyway, good luck this year Jamal, play your heart out, and be proud to wear that orange and blue.

Boy...some straight morons get access to computers nowadays. LOL

All mess aside, as a youngin I went to my first game and thought Bernard King was a god. Dad had season tix from 84 to 94 (of course they were valuable since Pitino came here, but Riley taking us to the finals made keeping them impossible.). I've personally been a season ticket holder since 05 and just renewed.
Plain and simple...I'm a fanatic cause I've witness allot of losing in the Garden. Who else would suffer through the Rory Sparrow, Brian Quinnett, Jerod Mustaf, Howard Eisley, and Jerome James eras (regardless of who else was on the squad.)?
BTW, last years squad smash's Ewing's 86 to 89 squads anyday of the week. I just don't know what happened.

The parameters changed for Zeke early and often starting with the Jerome James signing immediately followed by Chicago's issues with Curry, I know that, but once he dispelled of Lenny Wilkins, the cards destined us to fail.
I was sold on Larry Brown, Q-Rich, and Zach from the door. I feel I miscalculated as badly as Zeke did (as my tab of case after case of liters of Jack Daniels get sent to Philly every year we aren't better than the 6ers.). I figured it was unfair to not allow him one more hire as coach, and make him do it hmself (unless that was his objective.) I approve of the reshuffle of the deck, and hope the moral changes.
I advocate Jaric coming here as much as I advocated Rose. An overpaid 7mil/3year untradeable contract. Not a knock on skill, just lack of foresight. Malik's plus is he's a leader...Marko's teams have just been stuck with his contract everytime.

I miss the pre_Ewing trade days when I couldn't even sleep right if "My Knicks" played bad and ALWAYs had a predictable bad day after you guys lost. I miss caring that much. I consider you our leader, not Steph, not malik, not Q. Let see you lead fella. We know you can do it. Cheers and good luck this year,
PS>Sorry for being all over the place, but today's blog didn't have a specific topic to latch onto.

Suggestions for a new blog name and encouragement for others:

Jamal's Joint

The Crawford Diaries

The Crawford Files

Out of Bounds with JC

The Crawfabulous Life

Jamal's Blog

Hot Shots and Heat Checks with JC

Jamal Speaks

From Jamal To New York With Love

Jamal Loves New York

Jamal, Just wanted to let you know that I proposed to my soon-to-be wife while wearing your jersey (we were on our way to a Knicks game). Keep working hard! Jon

Do you think Chris Duhon is ready to help you in the back court? if so, where does that leave Nate. I like Nate and I think they need to stop under estimating him and let him play more and more than just back up. I hope that happens this year.
I also hope Q's back is healthy, Mardy Collin gains more confidence, I hope Wilson Chandler gets to play more (he has to represent his Pony deal) ... what ever happened to sleepy (Randolph Morris), David Lee keeps doing his thing and Jared Jeffries learns to be more strategic.

I have nothing to add to you because I'm bias and I don't think there is anything wrong with you lol (cleans rose colored glasses). Just don't get hurt. I need you in my fantasy ... I mean on my yahoo fantasy league team again this year. :-D

what's good? I didnt even know anthony could hoop til I saw him playin with your teams all summer... me and him go way back... keep doin your thing man... jt went to the finals, nate won the dunk contest, b roy made the all-star team, the 206 is on the map for real man... actually no not just the 6 you guys are all holdin it down for the whole state of washington... there are so many dudes from here in the league now and doin their thing in college its crazy... stay up tho!

Jamal,

I see Eddy has you fooled too. You guys are to much into the money and not enough into winning. You say all the right things but we have heard all this before. I suggest you call Eddy and meet with him to see for yourself if he is in shape. I think you will find him with a giant tub of cookies n cream icecream. You want the leadership of the team. Then its your duty to check up on your teammates and make sure everyone is going in the right direction. Oh and tell Jerome James to stay away from Eddy he is a bad influence on him.

Its vey tiring watching the players coming into the season not ready and out of shape. Please don't dissapoint us Knicks fans we are tired of losing and basically laughed at for being your fans.

Hey Jamal,

How's it going? I'm a huge N.Y. Knicks fan. How happy will you be once Steph and Randolph are traded or bought out from this team. I bet you will make the play-offs once you get rid of both those players. I've never seen such selfish players to wear a N.Y. Knicks uniform.

Jamal..

whats good man

hopefully this year will be a good year for you. I hear nothing but positives about your character and your ability to be the face of the franchise in many respects. at the same time... can you go into what the hell happens in that locker room? i feel like there isnt or at least wasnt any accountability in there. steph is a talented dude.. somebody needs to sit him aside and pray for him or like have a talk with him. he's too talented to be messing around and not producing. I think we gotta reel that brother back in the loop man... get him to understand what a team is... Eddy needs to stop being soft...He is way better than that. Those are 2 of my major beefs for now...

overall, it seems like everybody needs to work on stuff. but on some real... this season can you guys like hang out with each other and develop some camaraderie off the court? that goes a long way in basketball... maybe y'all should have like a madden tournament at nates house or something.

pleeeaaaase... come out a different team. win some games man so i dont have to get made fun of at my job!!!

the force is with you....

Jamal,

Please take to heart all these comments esp the one from KNICKS4LIFE b/c it speaks volumes about how we feel as knicks fans.

we are dying for a team that can go out and win some games. I'm sure you saw what a NY fanbase could be like with the recent Super Bowl champs, and we really need to make MSG a place that terrifies players once again.

Please provide the leadership on and off the court for our team, and bring us back to prominence.

we are YEARNING just for a chance to cheer for our knicks.

No matter what happens this season, please play hard, and please play as a TEAM.

best of luck this season, and if you get a chance, have ya boys read these comments, b/c the knicks fans are dying for some credibility.

whats up bro? love the crossover, thanx to watching you i can go left and right.

as far as eddy's shape... what do you mean you havent seen him? you guys have been off since april lol. i know that was a little harsh, but ive been struggling along with you guys for awhile now.

listen you dont have to sugar coat it, if hes in the same shape as last year just tell us. you dont know how many times during the summer i thought to myself "man i hope curry is working out right about now, he would kill it this year if he tones up."

with that said, i really hope you can get to the bottom of it. you dont have to see him if your that busy, but at least send the guy a text. if hes still out of shape, at least id like to prepare myself for it. last summer i thought for sure eddy was hell bent on takin over the #1 big man role in the NBA, but i quickly came to my senses in preseason.

Oh come on Jamal. Eddy Curry wasn't the real Eddy? You have to be kidding me. When you are getting paid as much money as he is, when it's $7.50 for a beer, the "real" Eddy should be out all the time. Quit making excuses for your boy and worry about your own game. Plenty there to keep you busy.

I read your last post. I bet it's more of the same old with you... you're all talk. You'll always say the right things, about how you'll bulk up or work on your defense or blah blah blah, none of which \ever happens. In my book, you're a cheap talking liar

Sup Jamal
Big Knick fan here. Last year you came in with added muscle and at the beginning of the season you were driving and getting contact in the lane--which was great to see, but you dropped the muscle later in the year and your drives seemed weaker as a result. Maybe try working out with Nate. Still, I think your most dangerous weapon is your accuracy with throwing up the floater in the lane. Not many NBA players have that in their arsenal. Also, I think if you make the opposing teams' bigs step out to defend it Curry can benefit greatly with the hand-offs or alley-oops.
I hear D'antoni say that you can have an All-Star season. It's time.
But, that shooting percentage needs to go up and we need you to be a real leader on the floor. How many times have i seen the Knicks come out flat for an important game? That should be unacceptable to you as Captain. When you see your team play like wimps that's your cue to go all out. Don't let them wait till the crowd cheers them back into the game only to come up short--a scenario played out far too often--let them feed off of your energy, will, and determination. Even if you lose the game you set the precedent of how this team is going to play and where the buck stops. Thanks and good luck.
Knicks in 08/09!

Jamal,

It is not that Eddy Curry is only as good as his last season, last game, etc. It is that in his career, he has only put together one decent season and the rest of the time, he's shown up out of shape and demonstrated a questionable work ethic. I appreciate your standing up for a friend, but although he has your potential, he doesn't have your drive to improve. By all accounts, he seems like a nice guy, but maybe he needs to be a little more focused and a little less laid back.

As a fan, I respond to professionalism and hard work, regardless of what else is going on off the court. I think you've shown some of that, as has David Lee, Malik Rose, and, recently, Nate. I wish I could see more of it from the rest of the team. But there's Eddy, who mopes because Zach was brought in as a bad fit for him in the front court, and there's Marbury who, with Isiah, turned this team into a circus.

Believe me, as a Knicks fan, I want to see the team win more than anything, but first, I would like to see this team conduct itself with dignity and SHOW UP EVERY DAY FOR WORK just like I do. If Eddy, Marbs, Zach, etc. feel that their work environment is too challenging, they can try something outside the sports and entertainment industry, where the frustrations are at least as high, and the compensation is much lower.

Glad to see you communicating with the fans regardless of the feedback .I must say there are not many athletes n the NYC that would have the stones to put it out there like this .

My question is Whats going in with voluntary workouts ? Are there plans for everyone to get into town and get a couple weeks in working out together before camp starts ?.The suns did it every offseason and teams like ATL and other young upstarts credit that headstart with helping them have solid seasons .

Hi JC, i have a request for you: tell us something about your Michigan days if you have some anectode.
I know the bad part of the story but i hope you also had some good moments that year.

Bye, good luck for the season.

Christian - Italy

P.S. Did you notice i'm from Italy and i didn't asked you anything about Gallinari ? That's because, in his role, all of my attention is on Wilson Chandler. He's an exciting player who's getting better and better, and in D'Antoni's system i think he can have a breakout season. Do you confirm this sensation "from the inside" ?

Hey Jamal, what are your thoughts on Stephon Marbury and Zach Randolph? Is this too controversial of a question for you to answer?

If I had Curry's height and size - I would be roughing people up like D-Bo from Friday lol - but it seems that Eddy lets his laidback, quiet demeanor follow him onto the court - where he should really be acting like a rabid beast. He needs to impose his presence on the game. Someone drives in the lane - he should knock that dude down flat - the player will think twice about driving to the hoop again...I'm not saying injure the dude - but at least let him know - you come in the paint at your own risk!
That's what we had with Ewing, Oak and Mase - intimidators in the middle...
Curry can score - there's no doubt about that...but it's his lackadaiscal rebounding and non-ability to block shots for a guy his size that has many knicks fans scratching their heads...

Jamaal man every year I get up with my boys and they are talking about the Lakers going to the Finals, or the Rockets, and I'm like man this year my Knicks are back in business. Im usually met with crazy looks, laughs, and the usual quote, "you been saying that for the last 5 years!" Im a huge basketball fan and I have been riding with the Knicks since the beginning.(the only time I was against the Knicks was when Jordan was torching them lol im sorry) I believe that on paper the team has the talent to compete with any team out there that is why as a fan its frustrating and I know as a player it has to be even worse. Keep doing your thing and pushing to make yourself better man. I hope your mentality can rub off on the other and tell Eddy Curry lets get back to that All-Star caliber form and Steph man this guy was one of the best point gaurds in the game. Well, thats enough from me good luck on the season man bring the flash and excitement back to the Garden people have been sleeping on us for too long.

I have to agree with my man DVJ, that its your post up game that needs a bit of work to take u to the next level of your 1 on 1 game. Yes, you should take what the defense gives you but the defense gives you what they are willing to live with.

Shooting 40%, you're jumper's the least of their worries. You've got uncanny court vision that you have to use more often. I think D'Antoni's pass heavy system will help get more out of that skill.

from the defender's point of view...JCraw's pounding the ball into the court and I'd rather give up a long trey. Why? Cuz I don't want him to cross me up, get me off balance and draw a charge...or worse, pass the ball off after one of my teammates comes to help me. If that happens, JC gets his teammate an easy bucket and knows that I'll be looking to deny him that dribble penetration.

Clyde Frazier's always talking about that when Jamal has the ball.

Clyde had an ill post up game from the high post. You'd give him room to shoot the ball and he wouldn't...he wouldn't let the defense off the hook like that. He'd take that space and fill it with his body. He'd back his man up as far as he could before he'd abuse him. Bump and step back. Bump and fade. Bump and spin. All those moves and he'd still have the option to pass or shoot.

Back to the basket moves JC!!!

Good luck at training camp! This is your year.

Jamal - Love what you are doing hear. Since you want our two cents, here is mine. I like Eddy as a person, but he just isn't a good basketball player. You can see that in his stats quite consistently from the beginning of his career.

Even two years ago, a Wins Produced analysis indicates that he was a way below average player. Yes he scored efficiently, but he is one of the worst rebounding centers in the NBA, and he turned the ball over a great deal. You can't look at him scoring 19 points in isolation from his lack of impact on possession.

He was one of only two players in NBA history to average as many turnovers while capturing as few rebounds as he did. Darryl Dawkins was the other.

The main function of centers and power forwards is to control possession. The higher their net of steal+rebounds-turnovers, the more they help the team. Eddy was one of the worst in history in that respect. It also tells you something when there is a statistical category called the Eddy Curry line.

I will be the first to celebrate if Eddy's game finally comes together, but he has a long way to go. He was one of the worst players in the NBA last year, and was the fifth most overpaid.

Anyway, my two cents....

Jamaal,

Love the blog, so refreshing to really hear from an actual player. I am from Utah, and now that you have D'antoni as your coach, I have to say a lot of us around the world are watching to see what is going to happen in the big apple. I was curious if you have read the book 7 seconds or less that chronicles the Suns season under D'antoni. Do you think he will bring that running gunning style to New York? and how will you fit in, it seems with your athleticism and speed you should be really excited about the new offense.

Jamal forget the haters play your game this year is your year 23/6 all star knicks 8th seed..........u never been the prob ur big men need to play d

Jamal forget the haters play your game this year is your year 23/6 all star knicks 8th seed..........u never been the prob ur big men need to play d

i have seen you play since your rookie season, i would say to anyone with pride ,that even in this jungle we call ny you can be an allstar every season. there are not to many players with your game in this leauge i am so tired of seeing you guy's come up the court and do the same thing even when you are down ten and better i think we play much better when guy's are playing their game. please tell the powers that be to stop drafting and trading for players that does somthing really good for the team that they came from and not let them do it when they come to our team. eddy, steph,zach,lee,mr.crawford,Q, nate, PEjr, (he will be very good) chandler. and the rest of the team can all play ball for real so get a coach that will find a way to let eveyone play their game together please let the new coach see this message.. ps. i can help mr. curry be the best big man in the leauge in only three months ( 617-870-1868).

I'm a 31 year old Knicks fan from NY. I remember being in college and watching the Ewing teams of the 90s and the Houston/Spreewell/Camby/LJ teams of the late 90s into early in this decade. Two things stand out from those teams that are clearly missing from this core group: Defense and Teamwork. Far too many times the ball gets dumped into the low post and Eddy forces his way across the lane and puts up an awful shot. Far too many times the ball finds Zach Randolphs hands and never finds anyone elses until after a rebound. The hope is that Mike D'Antoni will bring a change to this club where teamwork is the focus. Basketball is a team sport where typically the team with the superstar wins, however, teams with less talent can be more effective if they play as a team. I'm excited for the new regime in NY, and really feel that Jamal, Wilson, Danilo and David Lee can be part of the next great core of Knicks. I just want to see the teamwork that is necessary from making this awful team a competitive team. Noone is expecting the title this year, however, we just want to see some direction to this team. We've hit rock bottom the past 3 years and are the laughing stock of not only the NBA but of sports in general... That needs to end NOW.

Hey jamal love the blog you dont talk about irrelevant things like agent zero's blog. Dont get me wrong Gil is great but I dont want to know about a shooting contest between him and deshaun stevenson again.
The thing about Eddy almost being an all-star is one of the truest statements ever. Offensively no body in the L can operate like him in the low post and have only one go to move to the same side everytime. Its truly remarkable and unstoppable, I think if the Randolph deal goes through D Lee and E C downlow would be much more efficient for us. Zach is a tough rebounder but David Lee gets to alot of the rebounds curry and randolph cant dream of getting. Soo D Lee and E C down low all the way.
How do you see Coach Mike using Gallnari in the near future because im probably the only knick fan whos looking forward to seeing him at work?

But sometimes that's easier said then done because you're the focus of the other defense and you have to take what they give you. Sometimes it looks like it's just me and that guy guarding me at the top, but there's 4 other guys behind him looking to help!!

Jamal, one thing that I haven't understood over the years is why you don't drive more, and this is a good insight into why. However I'm curious about this thinking, because you're a good passer. So if you can beat your man and cause one of the 4 other defenders to help out, that means one of your teammates is open.

There are a lot of basketball players that are able to break their man down and finish, but not all of them have the vision to find the open man once the defense rotates. I always put you in the category of being able to find the open man when driving, because I've seen you do it.

So I wonder why the rest of the defense would prevent you from driving, since I think you're able to find the open guy for an easy basket (or at worst an uncontested shot)? Wouldn't you want to force the defense to expend two defenders on you in order to free up a teammate?

Jamal,

Any thoughts on Darko & Adriana Lima, er, Marko Jaric?

BTW, yeah, Eddy Curry averaged 19 and 7 two years ago. Too bad he was still one of the worst defensive Centers in the league and one of the worst passers too.

Eddy Curry was never an all-star. He is a fat useless player who doesn't rebound or defend at all. Not to mention the fact that he can't pass out of double teams and he picks up offensive fouls like they're twinkies.

Stop with the excuses. Eddy Curry doesn't care about being the best he can be. If he did, he would've dominated by now. Eddy Curry may still be young but he is what he is. He is a waste of a talent and a heartless player.

And another thing, 19 and 7 is not good for a guy his size. Are you kidding me? 7 rebounds a game? Guards can grab more! Give me a break. Scott Skiles said it best when asked what Curry could do to get more rebounds and he replied "jump." Curry is a lazy player and a disgrace to the New York Knicks jersey and Oakley's # 34 and I will celebrate the day we get rid of this bust from this organization.

what up JC.. thanx for the consistant scoring thru the years.. I was happy when u came over from Chi town... this year you will be an allstar and I wanna congrats u early... We have suffered the l