The Crawford Files

My only comment is that I am getting tired of people making cracks about my Knicks logo on my license plate! :-) I'm looking forward to seeing my favorite team compete each and every night. Every season we lose I along with other die hard fans come back enthused about the future. So here I am! Show me what the team can do!

Jamal, Thanks for doing the blog. I'm psyched that your talking about stepping up on D. This team needs a leader to play hard D and you've shown that you can lock guys down at times. Hearing that you're that dedicated for this season gets me really psyched to see you and Duhon applying some pressure and making the other team's backcourt work harder.

When you get a chance will you explain to Nate what defense is, I don't think he's ever heard of it. You might want to start by telling him you don't get better at it by practicing halfcourt shots all day...

hey jamal,

welcome to the blogoshophere! glad to see we'll be getting updates from you. it'll be really nice for fans to feel a part of the process.

i think you're going to have a great year. your attitude is incredibly positive, and always has been. that's why i'm a firm believer in you. i also think you'll do really well for d'antoni. you've got the skills, you've got the attitude.... the next step is up to you. looking forward to it!

long time fan.

Hey Jamal,

I think it's great that you are maintaining a blog. I will definitely be checking frequently. I am a die-hard fan, and I think you have a very important place on this team. Thanks for being so candid with us fans, we do appreciate it.

Hi Jamal,
Always been a fan of yours, even when you are in UMich. I am glad to find your blogs, and that you are so honest about everything. Keep it up. I think it will be a much better year this year. I do believe that there are some players that are going to thrive in Mike D system (you being one), and some are going to suffer. So hang in there and do what you et out to do (as you have blogged), and you will be golden.
JO

This is awesome. Keep it up J.

Jamal.

Yep, I am one of those who [quietly] felt those were your weaknesses, tho I never let it affect how I felt about you as a Knick.

You never were the problem in any of the Knicks disasters the last 3 1/2 years.

And hey, LB liked you.

lets get to 500!
:)

whatever dude, talk about you and some of those knicks have a problem with my dude and NY's Dude Marbury? You think your game is anywhere near Marbury's? whats this idea that we need you or you are gonna have a big season under D'antoni? You're gonna chuck more and more, and still won't play any defense. How come Marbury had to Guard Vince and Kobe, etc.? Whats with bums like you and Q come to NY and cant uphold the tradition we've had here before you arrived? Real Brooklyn Cats don't fall for your sweet talk, don't blame me, I just play, ACT! You've been a waste of time. And you and Isiah tried to derail my dudes Career stats. You're not a reliable shooter, and kill assist totals. What pg would enjoy having your herky jerky bouncin garbage as their 2 guard? You never go the bucket strong, always up and under or leaners, You weak, homie, sorry. Nothing you can say is gonna change your frail soft ball you play in this hardened city. You, Nate, Q, and Curry have some thing against my dude, and its all good, he's the only allstar on your team, the only defender, the only shooter, the only PG, the only player with heart, the only one who speaks his mind. You're a cornball, softie, not what NYers like Me, can support. You're weak.

JC,

Keep working hard and being honest like you are and it will pay off in the end. NY wants you to be great. Best of luck this season.

Fantastic blog entry. If the blog is always like this it'll be one of the best of any pro bball player. It actually has real thoughts, instead of just shoutouts.

Hey cool blog Jamal. I'm confident that you'll accomplish some of the things you want to accomplish. Keep workin' hard and I'll see you at the Garden.

Side question: How do you rate the Garden compared to other basketball arenas you have played in?

Good to see you got a blog i"ll be at most of the games and i also look forward to seein u in phoenix at the all star game.also you are one of the most under rated players and ive heard other super stars say the same.

Hey Jamal- you might be the only knick player that i really want the knicks not to trade (maybe along with Wilson Chandler and Nate Robinson). I am really hoping that this year would be a break out season for you!! i cant wait to see you take the responsibility on your shoulder and call shots. I know EXACTLY what you mean by "thinking u can make every shot you take." that's like the mind set a shooter should have. once u doubt yourself, you're never gonna hit that shot. gotta stay confident. I really hope you make the All Stars this year. Know that I am gonna be voting for you!! take care.

Nup
PS- i am from michigan (St Joseph), where Wilson is from. Tell him i said Hi and i would come and see you guys play either the Bulls or the Pistons this year!

Jamal Please read this!!

Im your biggest fan, and im dissapointed in this blog. You have gave in to the haters. Ive never believed you to be a loser, and don't think your shot selection is a problem.

You have worked on your game to the point where you have the best dribble pull ups I have ever seen. You can do 3 dribble moves and jack a shot which make look like a terrible shot to the average player, but that is your game and its a basic jump shot for you.

Jamal, realize one thing, you play for New York. Remember what they said about Eli Manning, Tom Coughlin and the G-men? They tried to run them out of the city and now look what happened. Never, ever listen to the haters from New York.

Please don't change your shot selection!!! Thats what makes you the best!

Jamal, I can't front....for you to start a blog with Newsday is great. As much as we talk bad about you here, I give you respect for doing what your doing here on the blog.
Now let's talk about your game. I know how you play on the court in the league and I also know how you play in the gym because I use to see you all the time at the NYSC in White Plains. You Curry and Nate. As a scorer you are incredible. It doesn't matter that you take bad shots...Kobe takes the worse shots in the NBA but he just seems to make them. When you are a scorer like yourself...your going to take shots that may not be ok with certain people however, your shots are not that bad...it's just sometimes you make them and sometimes you don't.
I don't think you should be a PG unless your heart is really set on setting people up for shots. Since your a natural scorer, that's not the right position for you.
Your defense is what it is....only a handful of players play D in this league. The ones that can play D, still need help from their team mates guarding certain players...so that "Jamal can't play D" nonsense is over rated.
The one thing you really need to focus on is getting to the free throw line. You can get to the lane anytime you want....so why don't you drive the ball more. You know how to improvise on the court so you should use that to your advantage.
I don't like your game in the half court....I think you would be much more effective in the open court and we will see that when you play for Dantoni this year.
I also think you should use the pull up jump shot (free throw line range) more often as well.
You and Curry have great chemistry together, I hope that continues. With Dantoni running the show...hopefully you guys can work the chemistry the way Nash and Amare use to. I know that will be difficult because they got most of their points from the pick and roll and Curry really can't shoot jumpers.
I do think Zach should be used in the pick and pops more often as well. I won't talk bad about Marbs because he's probably your friend so we'll let that slide.
Good luck this year man...we'll be cheering for you.

Jamal,

You say the same things every summer that you've been a Knick:

I'm working to improve my shot selection.

I'm working to improve my defense.

I'm exciting about playing for this head coach.

And every year nothing changes and you fail to make the playoffs. Sorry if this falls of deaf ears. You seem to be a decent guy but as always you're a company man. The last 2 years you kept telling us how great things were with Isiah but now even you admit how messed up that situation was. So why exactly should we believe you now?

Are you ever going to have anything real to say or are you going to continue to be a Company Man?

It certainly didn't take long for Newsday to become the home paper of the New York Knicks.

JCraw,

Welcome.

Has EA Sports contacted you about mo-capping that dip-de-do move you have in your bag o' tricks?

Thanks for bringing the flash back to the Garden. Good luck on the blogosphere!

JCraw,

Welcome.

Has EA Sports contacted you about mo-capping that dip-de-do move you have in your bag o' tricks?

Thanks for bringing the flash back to the Garden. Good luck on the blogosphere!

nice Jamal- luck and play hard.
@ gee the steph fan - this is a joke right?? Cause if not, the term "jackass" comes to mind- dunno why

Jamal,

Please opt out of your contract next summer and leave New York immediately and take the Nutty Professor Eddy Curry with you . You are not a 'Knick' and will never be one. You do seem like a nice guy, unlike that piece of garbage Stephon Marbury, but as a diehard Knicks fan, I'm sick and tired of this garbage. And like or not, you are a face of this losing era.

And no, Mike D'Antoni will not and cannot change it. The Knicks will start winning again when Crackbury, Curry, Zach Randolph and yourself are gone and far away.

@ haters.... jamal has improved EVERY season he has been a knick... i can hardly say that about anyone else except maybe david lee.

if you're simply throwing hate here, it's clear you don't have the basketball knowledge to get involved (especially gee the steph fan who has clearly lost his mind... that man's post was so sorry that even starberman wouldn't dig it). new york has always said they've got the best fans because we're knowledgeable... start showing it and quit bringing the hate. i'd sooner trade half these hater fans than trade a stand up guy like jamal.

Mr. Crawford, do everyone a favor and opt out of your contract next summer and leave.

Thank you.

Hats off to you JC. Your honesty is really refreshing, no excuses, no hiding from criticism, no false modesty and the will to improve. Good luck with that, I'll be rooting for it. Let's go Knicks!

You have guts.That's a good place to start.God gave you ability, but that's a given.Now you have to get a lot smarter, and real soon.Time waits for no man!The reason is simple.As you get older your physical ability will start to slowly be impacted, but older players should get smarter or they will definitely get gone.If you think the game, particularly defensively, with your long reach, athleticism and superior quickness, you can always be an asset on the floor.There's always something you can do to help the team.You mentioned Bruce Bowen who has made himself into an offensive force from being exclusively a good defensive player.You need to take the opposite road, the one less traveled.If you think the game and practice and prepare then your weaknesses can become your strengths.It's up to you to handle what talents God has given you.Don't take your opportunities lightly.This is it!You are living our dream.And I'd like to also add that you have always represented yourself as a gentleman.That's very important to a lot of us with families, and in that vein many kudos to your family for doing an excellent job.Good luck with this year .PS. Tell your friend Eddie to get in better shape.He's blowing the opportunity of a lifetime.The fate of the Apple is in his hands.Again, good luck and LGK!

jamal, best of luck under mike d'antoni. i could see you doing really well for him. i think the biggest thing this team needs is for you to set an example as a leader.

i hope this is the year you get to the playoffs. for all our sakes. it's been a long time.

jamal, best of luck under mike d'antoni. i could see you doing really well for him. i think the biggest thing this team needs is for you to set an example as a leader - which i think you have started to do in recent years. you just need to keep doing it.

i hope this is the year you get to the playoffs. for all our sakes. it's been a long time.

Hey Jamal, it's Anthony from all the games,

I love the new Blog man. You know thru thick and think myself and Knick fans are always there. You know I'm there EVERY home game, even some away. See ya soon my man, hope your summer went well.

'Anthony

Hey Jamal, I have a few questions. However, if you choose not to answer them, I can understand since you may have some personal feelings you may want to keep personal.

Can Steph still play on the Knicks? This will be your 5th season with him. I always envisioned you two as one hell of duo at the guard spots. You two have never had a season together where you both play 80-82 games and start together every game. Both of you have the all-around skills needed to compliment each other. When it comes to Steph, what the fans know about him is what they read in the papers, see with him on the basketball court, or watch when he speaks through the media, The fans are really mixed on opinions on Steph. Some fans still stand by him and want to see him do well with the team, others think it's time for him to move on. You are probably one of the few people that can speak about Steph on a personal level. Is there anything at all you could share on Steph or would you really rather keep it behind closed doors?

Also, is there any way at all to make it work with Zach and Eddy in the front court? I know the easy answer to that question is "it's up to D'Antoni to find a way to make it work", but I think the fans would prefer a player's perspective on how it could work and why it may not have worked last season.

I just want to know if this roster as it stands can get along together and win some games, or if there have to be changes to the roster. Are there certain guys on the team that must leave from this team? I also know the easy answer to this question is, "It's up to Walsh who stays and who goes". However, Marbury and Randolph are the two players that most Knicks fans on the online forums and message boards feel are the two that should be off the team the most.

Even if things didn't work last season, I see no reason why D'Antoni's offense can't work with you, Marbury, Randolph, and Curry as the primary scorers.

Jamal, all the best this year and for the rest of your career. Keep your head up and don't stop enjoying this game. Your hard work will payoff and I believe you can become an elite player. Don't worry about the few haters out.....because they live to hate, just focus on becoming a better player.

I am the original NYKnicks fan 4 life.............

Jamal

no matter how the team performs, always keep up with the blogging. Use the haters as a catalyst for motivating the team. Make them eat their own crud.

The TEAM is in need of a SPARK, badly. Hopefully the change in the front office will get the ball rollin' again.

Like you said in your blog, you win or lose as a TEAM, but the LEADERS should give more.

Or show the younglings a thing or two so the Knicks can be a force in the EAST.

Nice post, Mr Crawford. One thing that I found particularly telling was your identification of your most recent "best chance" - and you referred to the injuries to you, Q and DLee as the major stumbling blocks to achievement. If I remember correctly, Steph was playing phenomenal ball during the early part of that spring, and suffered a shoulder injury that knocked him out for a while, and certainly changed his game even after he came back. Folks forget that even LB was lionizing Marbury at that point. Now I'm not a Marbury defender any more than I am a hater, but I do find it curious that his injury went unmentioned and appeared to be unrelated, in your mind at least, to the overall performance of the team. Any thoughts on/around that?

If you want to hear what this NBA fans thinks about you Jamal then here goes...

You appear to be a nice guy, but you are everything that is wrong with the current NBA. You are a career 40% shooter. Forget about yout defense. You are a TERRIBLE SCORER. The problem is that you don't see this. You are TERRIBLE at scoring and yet you continue to shoot and shoot and shoot. At the end of the game you see 20 points besides your name and think you helped the cause of the team because you held up your end of the scoring.

That fact of the matter is that you should not be in the NBA any longer. You are a poison and you make me feel absolutely sick when I watch basketball games.

You don't do anything above average except take a TON of shots, not make many of them, and not do anything else besides hold a solid AST:TO ratio.

Have you improved? Yes. Are you an average NBA player? No. Will you ever be? No.

in your first couple years here, you took it to the hole, strong....i remember when you threw it off the backboard and dunked it twice in a year, and you took it strong in other instances.....last year and the year before you tended to pull up for more floaters......at 6'6 you could do the same things that marbury does in the hole

I like how people are kissing your behind just because you wrote a blog. You say the same exact thing every year and nothing happens. You still take terrible shots and shoot for low percentages and your basketball IQ is terrible.

You are not a bad person. You are probably the most down to Earth of all the egomaniacs, psychos, and losers patrolling the Knicks locker room. But you are an Isiah Thomas player. You were brought in by Isiah and you are a loser just like your boy Isiah was here in New York.

I don't care what Isiah did in Detroit. As a GM, his reign here in NY will go down as the worst management era in sports. He is a disgrace of a basketball official and a disgrace of a human being(illegitimate son, sexual harassment, racial insults, etc).

Again, you are not a bad guy but you need to go. Please leave the team and take Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph, Stephon Marbury, Jerome James, Jared Jeffries, Quentin Richardson, and Mardy Collins with you. I cannot stand watching most of this team play and that's sad. I'm a die-hard fan of the Knicks and I hate my own players. It's pathetic. Please do the right thing and opt out or ask for a trade and advise everyone else to do the same.

You guys are not made for New York. Leave and never com back.

Jamal,

All Knicks fans want to see is a winning team. I've got friends who are already looking to jump ship to Lebron James and the "Brooklyn Nets", totally severing their ties w/ the Knicks because of the product that has been on the court the past 5 years.

Just win, and everything will fix itself. How about you study tapes of John Starks/Patrick Ewing/Charles Oakley? Playing in the Mecca of Basketball should get the team hyped up everynight. These last few years have been a disgrace.

Jamal, don't listen to the hate.

My thoughts - step up as *the* leader this team needs, and get the rest to play hard. Then, the Garden will be happy. It's pretty simple.

We were raised as Knicks fans on hustle. It's what got us hooked. It's what's got us still checking out Hahn's blog every day, itching to find out the latest on a 23-win team.

You might see some negativity, but we're here. We're impatient because of what's happened the past 7 years, but we're still here.

Turn it around this year. I, for one, think you could do it.

Jamal, welcome to the blogosphere.

Your appearance is certainly evidence of great courage and I am sure most of us appreciate your entry into our basketball/blogging experience.

Many of us had heard through the grapevine that you and a couple of other guys have been paying attention to the blogs. As you know, the blogging fans are no joke. They love there knicks, even though some of them act like haters. Thank you for the confirmation of your presence.

First, I would recommend getting rid of the "crawful to crawsome" moniker. It is true that your Knickname has become "Crawful" -- I can't recall who thought that one up -- sounds like Steady or Cooley or Statesman (actually it could be any of the bloggers who write with fervor and fire). But, I would personally not accept their definition of who I am on my blog for the entire season. "Crawful to Crawesome" is a good title for a post -- but you could probably do a bit better --

Bloggers help a brother out and give him a better title for his blog. New York bloggers fight but we look out for each other.

Second, will have to wait until later, my daughter wants an ice pop and so do I.

Thanks. And by the way this is a really special event when Ewing Curse the Knicks comes out of stealth mode.

This may be an interesting blogging year for the Knicks afterall.

Congrats on the new blog Mr. Crawford, much respect to you for doing this.

I've watched every single game you've played in Orange and Blue and I'd say your two best years thus far were your first season in New York and the year you spend with Larry Brown as the head coach. That's not to say this upcoming year won't be an upgrade on either of those season performances.

No disrespect to the career high numbers you averaged, but last year was not a good year for any player on your squad. Last season was the worst season I have ever experienced as a Knicks fan of decades. I think that tons of it was Isiah Thomas' fault, no disrespect to your jersey number choice, but like you said, you win as a team, you lose as a team.

By the way, did you guys ever run any plays in 2007-2008?

I wish you the best and hope you flourish half as much under D'Antoni as Alan Hahn proclaims you will.

I'm putting up a link to your blog and look forward to reading it throughout the year. Hope you update it more than Nate updated his.

Cheers and good luck!

Knicksdefense.com

Funny when Jamal Crawford uses injuries as the excuse for coming up short 2 years ago. Even with David Lee, Quentin Richardson and Crawford all healthy, that team was still 5 games UNDER .500!!

And Jamal, EVERY team in the East had injuries that year. You guys wouldn't have made the Playoffs with your schedule in April that year. If I remember correctly, you had to play in Jersey twice, Detroit and Toronto.

So Crawford, you were NEVER a Playoff contender. You are still a 30 win team at best.

I'm a Fixer so I won't be here too much but I will say I'm really happy you decided to do this blog. Real basketball minds will appreciate being able to discuss the inter-workings of the team with you.

I'm on record as saying I'm a big fan of your game and I'm glad to see that you are working on the weaknesses in your game. My only problem is that with the way that the team is structured (i.e. no defensive persence inside, no PG, inconsistent 3 pt shooting) I don't see it winning many games and attracting a FA.

I'm concerned with a starting rotation of you, Duhon, and Q-Rich or Chandler. First, I don't think Duhon can be an effective starting PG in the NBA, and you haven't been able to play it consistently. With no defense inside I think there is going to be alot of pressure on you to keep your man i/f/o you and that will take up your energy on offense where it looks like you are going to have to carry the team more than ever (since it looks like Steph is gone) and you looked fatigued near the end last year. D'Antoni's offense in PHX was also predicated on 3 pt shooting, pick and rolls and ball movement, that doesn't seem like the strenght of our projected starting lineup.

Don't take the loser stuff personally. Knick fans want to win, and with the money we shell out, deserve a winning product. Only one way to turn around a negative image. Win. You help bring a NBA title to NY for the first time in my lifetime and you'll be a legend.

@ Sergio: at least you're consistent but wouldn't constructive criticism be more helpful to . . .you know . .. the team you support.

Hey J,

I give you props for being the only Knick to actually care to acknowledge the fans even as it look at times that you really have no comment after a loss and give that reporter a stare of "how many ways can I say this". I know it's frustrating. Winning is all about wanting it more than the other team and at times it looked as if the Knicks before even you came here throw in the towel in games and the season just waiting for the end of the season.

Like the great coach at UCLA once said "Winners are not afraid to lose". At this point that fear is gone because you have seen rock bottom. All the fans want is not just effort but a sense of Knick pride back at the Garden. You come the closet to a killer they have but the team can't follow along. If its one thing I hope the Knicks give is a big unwelcome to whoever steps into the Garden. Be it Physical, Mental, or straight balling we need to show NY is on the map again and will be a force in the NBA again.

Lets Go Knicks !!!

Jamal,

I'd like to thank you for playing hard every night last year despite all the turmoil and the team's poor performance.

I agree with your self evaluation entirely, but I think shot selection is far and away the easiest thing for you to fix. The thing is, points per game doesn't mean a thing if your FG% is weak. And to be quite honest, yours is very weak. I'd much rather you score 15 PPG and hit 50% of your shots than over 20 PPG with a 40% FG%.

It should be fairly easy for you to either get some stats from management or simply know from experience what your FG% is from various spots on the court and with various amounts of defensive pressure. You simply have to STOP SHOOTING the low percentage ones UNLESS there is very little time on the clock and you have to take it. It really is that simple. Whether you "think" you can make it or not is 100% irrelevant. Stats don't lie. Take the high percentage shots and pass when you are in a low percentage situation.

If you follow that extremely simple plan, naturally your PPG will go down, but sophisticated fans and players will notice the much higher FG% and the team will benefit because the extra pass will typically lead to a higher percentage shot by someone else.

Good luck this year.

Jamal:

Thanks for creating this blog, we true Knick fans appreciate it and are excited to have this 2-way dialogue with our guys.

Ignore the haters Jamal. You are a good player that will thrive in a D'Antoni offense.

Show your leadership skills and lead this team Jamal!! Thats what this team needs most and it's not going to come from a self-aggrandizing guy like Marbury....

Finally, TAKE IT STRONG to the hole baby! Forget the dipsy-doodle and finish like a man Jamal, you can beat anyone off the dribble!

Best of luck this Season and keep posting...

For as long as I can remember baseball was my first love. I lived it as a child and played little league and all that stuff but I still remember the day I saw my very first basketball game. It was 1987. Up until that point I knew very little about the game and what I did know was basically that Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing were good. Then I turned on my first Knicks game. It was Knicks vs Rockets and I instantly fell in love with the game. The speed, the agility, the dunks, the shooting...it all appealed to me. I then starting following the Knicks and the rest is history. As much as I loved baseball I loved basketball just as much. So I started playing. My friends and I would play every day after school...and unbeknownst to me...I could play this game a little. Baseball I stunk at but I could shoot the hell out of a basketball. Now the good Lord possessed me with many wonderful gifts such as great eye sight, speed, and intelligence but what he did not bless me with was height. I tried out for my high school basketball team and was denied mainly because at my tallest I am 5'6". Regardless I loved the game and 1994 was a great year. My Knicks were in the finals. They were good. John Starks was my favorite athlete on the planet, Ewing, Rivers, Harper, Mason...man they beat up on people. It was ugly brutal basketball but I loved it. Then OJ and that bad omen cost us our shot. Through all the losing that has followed I have been a fan. But like many fans I became disillusioned with the goings on here. The Garden has been dead. I still get shivers down my spine seeing the reaction to LJ making that 3 and getting fouled in 1999. It exploded...the ground shook. It was amazing. I miss that...I miss those days. Isiah and Layden set this franchise back 10 years. I can accept losing as long as the team is improving and I know cap relief is on the way. This part is for you Jamal. I love your game, I love the way your shot has such beautiful touch and arch. I love your 1 on 1 skill set. You are by far my favorite Knick and this blog you wrote took time and effort. We as fans appreciate it and owe you and this team our support. You may not win um all but with Coach D'Antoni the games will be exciting. Just battle and show us what your made of and we will support this team. Oh and do me a flav....drop 50 on Houston or San Antonio...both those teams owe us one. Have a great year and lets see JC...(my initials by the way) in the All-Star Game.

Definitely not a big fan of your all around Jamal but you are a stand up guy. You may not make the smartest decisions on the court but you do play hard and figure out how to make clutch buckets when you have the ball in your hands at the end of the game. I just hope the Knicks play hard this season and hopefully Marbury, Randolph, Jerome and Jeffries are no where to be seen on the team. Please tell Malik stop shooting 15 footers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5kyzvyM6KU This is the LJ play...I want the Garden like this again...Some day soon I hope. ; )

J.C.
As a Knicks fan of 30+ yrs, I love the opportunity to get the point of view of a player.I appreciate your honesty, and look forward to your entries. I was at the game when you dropped 52 on the Heat; that was one of the most exciting games I've ever seen.
I am optimistic that Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni will assemble a winning team over time.

I live near Skidmore College, and was very disappointed that there will not be any opportunities to watch a practice.
For restaurants in Saratoga, Prime at the Saratoga National Golf Course, is very good, as are Siro's, Dine, Hattie's, One Caroline Bistro, Chez Sophie, and P.J.'s BBQ. Enjoy.

JC - just take the ball to the hoop man...you got the skills to blow by your man with ease. High percentage shot and possibly an AND1...that's a good way to increase your FG % - instead of just pulling up for a J.

Hey Jamal!

Thrilled to say "hi" to you and wishing you a great season!

I can see you are a winner just needing a solid stable team. Have a great year, light us up a few times with 50+ games, and hopefully the magic will be back.

- Dave from NJ, now living in northern Calif., Knick fan since I was a kid in the late '60s and was spoiled rotten by the '69-'73 glory days

Hey Jamal! thanks for doing the blog i will be checking in alot, but i hope this wont affect ur game! (lol) I have a question for u, why do insist on taking alot of jumpshots instead of driving to the lane and get maybe an easy bucket or a foul? Is it just too much wear and tear to keep driving to the basket and get knocked around? I know you said you feel like you can make all your shots but you dont, so isnt it beeter to drive in and take the hit and have a better chance of scoring? I was a huge advocate when Mr Thomas did a sign and trade for you. I like you as a player and im sure if i knew you personally i would like you ( in a non gay way lol). You have taken more three poointers than free throws in alomost all your years in the league except for the year coach Brown was in town! PLease just consider driving to the lane a little bit more. I will be watching all the games next season as i always do (except for last season i decided to boycott b/c of the off court issues). A gain thank you for doing the blog.....PS I know u wont do this but could you let Mr. Dolan know that i aqctually like the Donnie Walsh hiring and I LOVE the D'Antoni hiring. Let try to get to 500 this year!!! Good LUCK!

WOW. That took guts JC.

My knicks family is at http://www.nykfanpage.com/. Of all the boards out there, this is where people have genuine discussions instead of flame wars. We all loved hearing that you read fan comments, and you pretty well summed up most of what people have said. Some on the fanpage love you. Others not so much, but we all respect how you are honest and alway try hard.

I've got no business giving you advice when you have a great coach, but here it goes. What I notice is that when you get square and elevate straight up, you hit at a high %, whether its off the dribble or a set shot. When you move laterally in the air, not so good. It looks to me like the problem is less about shot selection than it is about shot mechanics.

Coach D is the master at getting guys the ball in a position where they can square up and elevate straight up, so I'm really looking forward to watching you this season. Good luck.

Oh, and BTW - If you every gave us a shout at the fanpage, we'd all freak. You'd get a ton of love for showing up.

Looking back when LJ hit that shot he looked like he tried to draw contact and did. I know at the end of games the NBA now won't give in like they use to to draw the foul. But drawing contact is a lost art. Walt Frazier could probably still do that better than any one else i ever saw and one.

It was those small plays that made the difference. I still would like to see less turn overs with next years Knicks. A lot of Coach D's system is predicated on ball movement and smart decision making. And any one has a green light to shoot when open (lets hope it goes down). But the one element we don't have is a forward like Amare Stodemire. Galanari is going to join you Jamal as a 2 guard in my opinion. We still need a power forward that can defend and make the lane less hospitable. Center wise I don't see Curry as a number one option unless Eddie commits to fitness and understanding that defense wins games and not ally oops. Although, there entertaining to watch. I like Duhon because I know he has more to prove much like you Jamal. Duhon can be the future orchestrator to this revamped team.

I just got home, read the "Knicks Fanatic Blog" ( you should too)
and I find myself linked with the same format of Alan Hahn's Fix?
I'm sure that you know some call you "J-Chuck." This year prove to us more zone moments like two years ago against the Champs Miami. have at least ten 50+ games! You can do it!
Tell us the truth, you wanted Bayless this year, Right?
Please be honest.

Ewings curse Lives.....where have you been homey?
Stop in @ the Fanatics!

jamal you're the man!!! this blog is awesome. you've been the best on this team for years. looking forward to reading more stuff!

That was real.

I have criticized you before Jamal, mostly for Shot Selection. But it's good to hear your side of it cuz we never do.

I know someone close to the team and they once told me, unlike ZACH when you get yelled at for taking a bad shot you actually realize it is a bad shot, feel bad about it.. and try to correct it.

So thats a good and a bad thing, at least you care... But if your gunna shoot you have to believe right?

I would like to hear your take on why playing for Larry Brown worked so well for you individually and if you think you can get back to that style of play that you adapted under him. (Sure the Knicks sucked but you had a great year individually)

I always liked you Jamal.

JC - thanks for stepping up and doing this blog. I've been wondering if the curtain of silence would be lifted now that Zeke is all but gone. NYC has plenty of haters, including me - I used to write the Knicks Clicks blog over at nj.com, and was the first in the area to use the word "Crawful." On the other hand, I also mentioned your "Crawfordable" contract, so I was equal opportunity with the bad puns (is that a pun?)

Marbury's all but gone. Keep up the status quo, and you're next. If you can't get it done under D'Antoni, then you can't get it done anywhere.

But if you move the ball, commit to defense, and for the L of G take it to the hole, you'll have the haters eating out of the palm of your hand.

It's up to you, do us proud!

JC:
Good post. Very on point and honest. However I'm just saying if you want to do it big like Gilbert you can't be too nice and too careful on these blogs. Good Luck on the year.

Jamal this is going to be a fun season with all the changes and the fast pace game.I cant wait to see you and Stephon tear it up in the backcourt.
And to all the people who read this yeah i said Stephon not Duhon, he sucks!!!

yo crawford
i'm a slim dude to son
so taking it to the rim all the time an gettin hit can wear u out
i understand that
i think u got the full skill set offensively
but add knowledge to that an u would be fine

take it to the hoop more crawford an u will be fine
take dudes of the dribble get to the paint an dish it out
thatz what i would be doin

u can easily average 25-40 a night all u gotta do it take it to the hoop an get that contact/that's why i luv iverson he my height an almost my weight..thatz my best advise

now that u got ya own blog i can write to u

do me a favor an tell marbury to get his head straight an play that ball he played in n.j

stay tune for more KnowLedge

yo jamal,
just do it on tha court this year & u will shut all tha big mouths on tha board up...i'm pissed off as hell at tha knicks tha last couple years too ....we all are & frustrations are mounting cuz we keep hearing the same thing yr after yr along w/ changes that don't amoung to ANYTHING. hopefully we FINALLY make some serious noise this yr (which im not so sure of due to our lack of legit SIZE to play DEFENSE) otherwise im gonna feel sorry for you on this blog all year long bruh. you might want to reconsider ever doin' this....ya man prowler got ya back...but i don't know for how long son!!

Hey Jamal, nice to see that you're starting a blog, great idea :) I just wanted to let you know that I was the one that created your facebook fan page so feel free to contact me if you want to use it yourself or if you want me to send specific updates to your facebook fans ;)
Hope you have a great season,
GO KNICKS !!

Crawfish! you're the man! i appreciate your blobbing. way to step up to the plate. screw these haters, i can see you're a winner just by admitting how much you suck. haha, kidding, braaaa. i really beiieve you think you can hit everything you throw the frack up there, why else would you be chucking instead of passing with time running out at the end of games. or were those isiah's "plays". lame lame lame. i'd rather see you dishing and swishing, cross over flashing, going to the hoop and making dimes, rather than tossing up bricks, but hey, i gotta admit, you're close to pure. keep working out, get that core strength up, and study D, because D'Ant ain't. D'Aint! Good luck brutha! This year is gonna rock! Let's score 50 for the gipper!

Jamal,

If you'd like to know i coined you a nickname about three years ago, "Silly."

I was watching TV and a commentator called one of your outstanding crossover moves "just silly," (somewhere along those lines) and yes, I still look at you as that player who can slice through defenses with no problem. Except now you can't just be a Player (Being a playa does'nt just GET you the girls) you have to be a play-MAKER (g's up!).

Your penetration should open up so many easy buckets for your teamates, that along with your increased wide open shot attempts you will have this year, your assist numbers, brownie points and fan moral will only skyrocket even further.

Don't come with just the nailgun to build the house, bring all the tools!

d.halprin@yahoo.com

Hello Jamaal, there are a lot of Knicks fans in Spain. I hope the best for you in this season. GOOD LUCK.

Jamal-

Good post. Seems like you are being honest with us, so I will do likewise.

I was at the game where you scored 50+ against Miami. It really showed me what you could do when your game is on, and that you have the POTENTIAL to be one of the NBA's elite scorers. They knew you were coming, but couldn't do a thing to stop you that night.

Other nights, though, I see you squandering that potential. I see you taking bad shots, any shot, and contributing to the team's lack of success. I probably react to your play more than the rest of the team's, since I think the rest of the talent on this team is pretty mediocre, and you have that tremendous upside.

I also see you trying to be a leader in the locker room, but at the same time, I saw you supporting Isiah Thomas, the man I think is most responsible for the "off the court stuff" that you guys "never recovered from" last year (and other stuff that went on the year before, too). Are you a leader, or an Isiah follower? I couldn't figure it out.

In any event, a great tenth year could put all of my concerns about you to rest. I am hoping D'Antoni is the magic man who can turn you into the top-tier player I think you have the potential to be. But for this team, and for you in particular, this year is key. If you haven't responded to ten different coaches, I would see that not so much a function of the changes, but as a function of your coachability.

I would love to see you win me over this year. Show me the 50 point Miami man on a regular basis and I will certainly cast away all my doubts about you as a leader, a scorer, and a coachable player. I think you can do it, and I just hope that your history, and Isiah, in particular, hasn't ruined you forever.

Best,
Karma

Thanks for your candor, Jamal. There is no question that you have done what each coach has asked of you, and no question that you have played with passion and a desire to win.

Now you have a coach who knows how to harness that.

Fans are optimistic, I think, for the first time in years.

Im loving this blog because your pointing out most of the things that people knock on you about head on. I know that you have been trying to get better every year and even last season you gained like what 10lbs. Thanks for the blog but ever consider doing a video blog? I run Vlog Kast which would be a good way for you to reach your fans.

Good luck :) good knicks

It's awesome that you're writing a blog. I have much more respect for you now, although I think it's funny that you think you can make every shot you take. I would be incredibly honored if you let me interview you for my website, www.nbagauntlet.com

Hey jamal,

I think your a great player. I'll visit your blog always. Please, keep it update. And I hope D'antoni System can make you an All-star and the Knicks relevant again.
Best wishes from Brasil:

Rafa

Jamal,

You were the only player to really grow under Larry Brown. Ive watched you improve every year since you've come to NY. I think you'll be a perfect fit for Coach D's system. Keep up the work ethic and progression. Your one of the few bright-spots on an otherwise ugly team. Hopefully you'll flourish this year. Its nice to see a player understand and admit their weakness. It means that your willing to be coached.. which I think most people here will admit is Stephs problem, though not just his (Curry and Nate come to mind). Steph's game hasnt evolved since he's joined the league. Its nice to see someone work on their game in the off season! Good Luck and GO NY GO NY GO!!!

Jamal, through all the losing recently I believed and continue to believe you are the most entertaining piece to this team. I have been a Knick fan since the 70s and the one thing I thing the team has not had a leader since Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston left. Someone has to lead this team on the court. That special player has to pick up his teammates when they make a mistake and say ok its over and let's learn from it and move on. So many times in the past few years I saw the look of disappontment over the faces of players which should be leaders on the floor when plays are blown. Whether you realize this or not disappointment becomes despair over time and it erodes confidence in each other. Basketball is a team sport and as such you must have confidence in each other whether on defense or offense to help out your teammates. But once that confidence has been established then good things will happen.

Jamal, you play in ny, everything you do is under a microscope, and you know how the media and fans work around here. You either win, or they eat you up. The same horrible things used to be said about Patrick. Sometimes people dont appreciate what they got until its too late.

For the record, i sit right behind the bench, i'm there about 10 games a year, and i see your determination and will to win every night. I see how you prepare mentally and physically for a game and its something i look up to.

In the recent years, there hasnt been too much to look forward to with the Knicks. A lot of nights, most of the players are laughing and checking out girls or their friends in the crowd, but you continue your work ethic and do whatever you can do to win. Real knick fans dont consider you a loser, they consider you the heart of the team.

I look forward to getting to the garden soon and watching you do your signature crossover-step back pull up....

keep ya head up

jamie

I am one of those who questioned your intelligence. I now apologize. Recognizing your weakness re shooting % is a sign of not only intelligence but character.

Jamal,

What is your relationship with Stephon like? Can he still be a monster? Or should his few remaining fans give up on him?

Jamal,

What is your relationship with Stephon like? Can he still be a monster? Or should his few remaining fans give up on him?

Hi Jamal,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Knicks, and your honesty. Not many NBA players are willing to address any flaws they may have in their game as you have, very refreshing and welcome as a Knicks fan since before their last championship.

Just a couple of suggestions you may want to consider If you don't mind. Yes, you are right Jamal that you need to improve your D but don't feel bad, so does 75% of the league! From my own personal experience, lateral movement is the key to great defense.

I would spend entire workouts working on drills mostly dealing with improving your lateral quickness. You have it, and then some on offense but defense is another matter. Back when I played streetball in NY I went from one of the worst defenders in my neighborhood to one of the best by spending hours just running as fast as I could laterally. I also put weights on my ankles, rested on my side and did leg lifts to build up those muscles even more. It really does work Jamal, lateral quickness will go a long way in preventing your man from going around you and force him to take an ill advised shot, draw a charge, or give up the ball. It also allows you to stay closer to your man on D so he has a harder time finding his shot.

I hope you will consider my suggestion, you would be surprised how many offensive minded players you can shut down or contain with great lateral quickness.

Last but not least on offense I would follow the advice of some of the other posters and drive to the rim when your shot isn't falling, it will help you get your mojo back faster than just trying to shoot your way out of it.

Thats about it Jamal. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with us.
Go Knicks!
Bob

Jim, I don't kiss his fanny, telling him lies, I'm a die hard Knick fan, from the late 80's! I have kids, I don't need to talk proper to no bum, who never lets us enjoy our beer after work, watching him play, and HE CANT PLAY. He needs to be told how some knick fans feel about his insane shot selection, no defense, and cliques he forms with other loser Knicks, because they don't have the cajones to speak up. HE'LL SHOOT WORSE THIS YEAR, THE OFFENSE IS BASED ON MAKES NOT MISSES!
With an opportunity to share my vibe with him, I'm not gonna kiss em and tell we all love you and blah blah blah, this is tough NYC and he's a SEATTLE softie, big time. He has no real love for the game, or he'd play defense in NY, thats historical, thats traditional, AL HOU played more d, AL HOU was a better Knick, AL HOU has a refined game. You play like a rich Gerald Wilkins.
So to you softie fans, stay out my lane, I give tough love. I'd say the same to Curry, Q who's been stealing money, and Marbury, who should be excelling in his prime, instead he's in a battle for NY with a bunch of outta towners. Crawford you can't get traded any faster. Chicago went to the playoffs as soon as you left, and Ben Garden was putting it on you in MSG!!! Oh, Marbury had to stick him fourth quarter. You bum. Step ya game up. I'm a REAL FAN GO BIG PAT, You are no Spreewell. Just die already. I don't care about your lively hood, I care about wins for the KNicks, something you know nothing about. take your traveling layups to the west coast. you one of those softies, who don't rock the boat. We like the Strahans, The Oakleys, back your talk up, homie. Don't worry, I'll still use you in NBA 2K9, don't cry

Jamal,

The character you possess is what I like the most about you. That is one of the most important attributes a team needs to build chemistry and a success.

Now let's talk about your game.

Shot Selection: One thing I noticed last year is that you could never go more than 4 possessions without taking a shot. There were times when I would literally count how many possessions would go by before you felt like it was your turn to shoot. And I'm not talking about shots that were designed in plays...I'm talking about shots that you would literally jack up from anywhere with a man in your face with about 15-18 seconds remaining on the shot clock. I know you want to prove the haters wrong Jamal...but you have to understand that even the average fan now pays more attention to FG% than PPG. I'm not knocking your ability to score, but I am knocking your ability to make the right decision on the floor.

DEFENSE: Jamal...PLEASE MAN! You spoiled us the year LB was coaching because you were Bruce Bowen that year. You didn't buy in at first (don't front lol), as I remember him yanking you out of games early when you let a guy blow by you...but eventually you became the best defender on the team. Knowing you have the ability to do so (especially with your athleticism) and not doing so is what really frustrated us Knick fans about you. I mean it wasn't like you were even trying...guys who had no reason to get by you were scoring at will...and fans who grew up watching Starks and Ward and Oak and Mase and Patrick knew damn well that was a NO NO! You gotta take pride on that more than offense Jamal. And trust me, I know that its a team concept and having two big peanut M&M's behind you doesn't help...but defense is contageous and you have to set the precedent my friend. Dive on the floor and sacrifice your body from time to time and you'll see that even if we are losing by 50 you'll still have the entire garden cheering. We value hard work (its what NY is about) and we haven't gotten that in the last couple of years. And if you want to consider yourself the leader of this team, do it the way Patrick did it...by not worrying about numbers and just giving 110% on the defensive end any night.

Commitment: You gotta get stronger Jamal. You are too old at this point to weigh what you do. I know you believe it might have slowed you down a bit last year but that has more to do with Isiah's 2 minute practices. Q looked pregnant and Eddy's underarm fat was showing more every game. Trust me, get your weight up man because I'm tired of seeing our PG's guarding the guys YOU should be guarding. You gotta take that personal. If Rip Hamilton, Kobe, and T-MAC can get stronger, so can you! It'll help you out on both ends of the floor man.

Overall, you are a good player that I respect, but consistency and efficiency is all mental. Get it in gear and you'll see how quickly your fortunes will turn around. Please take this as positive criticism and have a great year. We need it bro!

Jamal,
Hey man I know its been tough for you during your career in NY. And if people continue to hate there's always room for you in Indiana.

I know its nowhere near as cool as NYC but With you, TJ, and Danny G, indy would be rockin.

You said you like Mike D's system... Guess what Jim O's is similar. So you've got the O you like, good young guys around you and a basketball state that's put up with a mediocre at his (very) best J Tinsley for nearly a decade...

So you come to Indy, play in the system you like, Play around some good guys, score along side Danny, and fans that are willing to put up with alot more than elitist idiots from the north east, who win 20 games one year and expect to win 60 the next.

Screw that, screw them, Indy's going to have cap room to make a move man. Think about it.

We'd love to have your no D playin, bad shot takin, no drivin self in Indy. I mean it.

I see the Knicks this year doing better than last year. But It's all about winning and setting a statement early in the season. Jamal if you have any pull with the Garden tell them to back to the Blue paint and rid are sells of the orange paint. Just superstition we had better teams with the Blue paint and new coach new attitude. Any thing to rid off the old karma. I know your into superstitions.

What up Mal..

Good to see your blog up, a friend of mine sent it my way when he read it. How's the town treating you? Me and Sennai was out in NY for Knicks game last March but we both lost your info. Hit me when you're in L.A.

Just keep doin your thing, you doing a lot more than they give you credit for.

Peace
Kev

so anybody who feels like a blog is time to tell it like it is a hater? People overuse that word, no such thing as a hater, and its a useless word, that I hear you youngsters use, cuz you have nothing else to copy. Hater? I've seen my KNICKS in the finals, I remember Bernard King dropping 30+ every night in 1984, how old were some of you dudes, 3? don't call me a hater, because I know at least 15 better starting sg in this league. Crawford spent one year in Michigan, didnt win in chicago, and hasnt' won here. Don't call me a Hater, I don't hate Crawford, I wish he was gone off the team, he's not a NY type player, he's soooooo soft. If I see him do one more up and under soft layup instead of a game changing slam, i'll cry in my beer. Don't call me a hater, cuz I'm far from it, this is my heart talking, How did it feel watching Detroit win a championship or Boston and NOT NY? I'm supposed to cheer a bum guy who needs 23 shots for 23 points? NOT A HATER. Kill that word, Hate what? Losing every night, yeah, Crawford should be a hater too. Fake fans stay out my way.
Real KNICKS FAN. No one is knocking your personality. I just care about wins, you may be a good guy, good guys finish last

Can't wait to hear more...

jamal thanks for your blog,keep reading.I think you need to take
the ball to the basket more instead of chucking 30 footers
all game long, you will open the court up for everyone.
Keep ballin.

jamal thanks for your blog,keep reading.I think you need to take
the ball to the basket more instead of chucking 30 footers
all game long, you will open the court up for everyone.
Keep ballin.

Jamal,
The blogger Steady will now stand up and acknowledge tagging you with both names in one singular blog post. The statement was alluding to the fact that you are a streak shooter a la John Starks. When you're on, you're Crawsome. But when you're off, you're Crawful. As a comment from someone who could do no better than you on the court as a pro, Steady was Just Bloggin'.

One of your biggest fans and DEFENDERS is a blogger named Bronxboy in MD of the Force MDs. This blogger would remind others and cause Steady to agree that you have the biggest balls on the team, that ice water runs through your veins, that your crossover is killa, and that taking the last shot all the time in a fearless way are the things that make you a winner. You are a gentle and nice man. And as Steady paraded through the hallows of the Mecca on Wednesday, it appears that you and DLee have become the new face of the franchise. Congratulations Captain--good luck with that!

Steady noticed at the beginning of the last season that you bulked up too much and doing so affected your shot. Whoever gave you that advice bamboozled you and had you running amok by mid-season with an ever-ready pack on your shoulder. What da hell was that all about? Tman has already counseled you and your boy Eddie about your weight--you can play long and prosper if you follow that advice.

You are not a loser Jamal, you are a professional Bballer that never won a playoff game let alone play in one. That mere little fact does not define you as a person/player/brother/son/father/lover or whatever other role you decide to fill at any particular time. Don't let the NY fans define you--not even Steady. On the court, and unfortunately (as Bill Parcells is known to saying) you are what your record says you are.

The Force MDs undertstand that you and the NYK are poised for a reversal this year. We're known scriptologists in these here parts. All that other stuff you wrote was garbage and self-depracating. Other posters above noted that you can play defense and did so very well under that HOF ABS coach. Your shot is going to be your shot--you take one if you got one. Simple. And as for the new GWH at the helm--let's just hope that the Lil' General (5*) holds his part of the bargain with your employer. The franchise and its fans have played along since its inception and we keep going. We're long overdue!!

A blogger for whom Steady has great respect appealed to the blogosphere to provide you a new name for your blog. Steady will oblige, though this role is reserved for BARF or Ewing Curse Lives wherever/whenever present. Feel free to chose from any of the following:

The Ice Man Cometh Back
Ice Man--Part Deux
Ice Ice Baby!
Blog with Jamal in the NYCE Zone--Jamal Crawfork as the New Ice Man. You get it? NYCE=New Ice Man. Play widit bruh--no homo.

Clearly you already know that many of us saw that Crawsome day against Miami when you "hung fiddy" and had us thinking we were watching the Ice Man (Gervin) come back to life in Orange & Blue.

Meanwhile, Steady as IT goes.

KFLL

Jamal,

Give Mr. Walsh a call and tell him to make sure this Randolph for Darko trade goes through. It'll not only finally give us some sort of interior defensive presence, but it will improve the team chemistry tremendously. It'll give Eddy motivation to get in shape because he'll know he's the go to guy again. Zach is highly skilled buy my grandma is a better athlete than he is. I think Donnie Walsh has a better vertical....

Nah but seriously, moves like these are what we need. It's time to fill in the pieces to the puzzle instead of going for the big splash like Isiah did.

Hey Jamal.

As a Knick fan who couldn't stand the bulls before, while, or after you left, I have to say that you have grown on most all of us in NYC. We do appreciate your heart and effort you put out every night.

My question is a big one for knick fans, and that is, will you opt out of your contract at the end of this year. Everyone is projecting a career year for you, and at your age, the summer of 09 might be a great time for you to get a final 6 year deal at a higher rate than you are presently making. (your are underpaid by most standards) You also may be in a position to sign with a contender for a year or 2, then be part of the class of 2010, or 2011, when pay raises put into contracts can increase.

Makes all the sense in the world that you would take the chance this offseason, even if it is only to get the knicks to resign you for more money.

Good luck to you no matter what!

jamal I've always been a big supporter of you. I know you and isiah were close and i also know Larry brown respected you. I think thats great. I don't like the haters out there. You've always been a team player and you've always given your all for this team. I hope you dont opt out next year cause I want you to retire as a knick. You've done alot for this community and everything you can for the team. Out of every knick right now on the roster I want you taking the last shot. With that being said I'm very excited to see how much you improve this year under dantoni. I'm expecting us to make the playoffs this year which is a good start. Don't leave Jamal please stay and retire a knick

OMG 81 comments. Does it matter what I say. Everything will get lost in the sea of comment-ness.
Okay lets see ... I believe in you ... umm you are special ... keep doing what you are doing .... But for real, I feel like the person in the first post. I'm tired of people telling me the Knicks suck. I've had to slap around a couple of my friends. Or my mom calling me when they lose to send me her condolences, lol. But I am a die hard fan, not a wishy washy fan. Who but me buys court-side seats to watch you guys play and beat the bulls on her 25th birthday? I would try and do it again this year but the closest game to my bday is against the Bucks and I don't care for them too much and I dam sure am not going up to Boston the to be annoyed by the Boston fans.

So I stand behind you guys just like a mom does when her child is doing bad in school and she lets the child know it will be okay, they just need to try hard.

Try not to wear yourself out playing upwards of 40 minutes a game again this year. You are a good person, so try not to let the blogs and th e media's remarks get you down or discouraged. Just continue being you because that is what got you to the NBA.

Jamal, don't know if you will read this because of all the responses but I enjoyed your posting. Good luck with the Knicks this season. I live in Jersey and as you can tell by my screenname that I grew up in Seattle. (Cleveland '79...yeah I know I'm old..but I still can play) I have become a Nets fan since moving to Jersey in early 90's but I do root for the Knicks as well. Since my Supes are gone, If you can do me one favor and that is make sure you (Knicks) DESTROY OKC. Thank you.

JAMAL, I AM A HUGE FAN...I KNOW U GOT A TON OF COMMENTS PROBABLY BUT I HOPE YOU READ THIS.

If you want to step up your game offensively, all you need to do is do one thing...

PUMP FAKE....From all the years i have followed u in the NBA (I'm a knicks fan so roughly 5 years) and when you were in Michigan(i was a fan of yours in college and was exited when you got traded here) I have never EVER EVER EVER seen you pump fake before.

Another knock on you is that you dont take it to the basket enough, you got one of the ILLEST CROSSOVERS IN THE GAME...People have to respect your dribble and your shot...im sure the word around the league is that you dont pump fake..i mean if im able to point it out..im sure scouts already see it. Pump fake basically takes your man out of the play...GIVING YOU A WIDE OPEN LANE TO THE BASKET FOR EITHER THE LAYUP, PULL UP...OR SOMONE HAS TO STEP UP AND YOU HAVE AN ASSIST

i really hope u read that...i sent u something like that over myspace too but you never are on that...PLEASE JAMAL...JUST PUMP FAKE...A pump fake or a headfake is the only thing you are missing from being an elite scorer, u are helping the defense by letting them know when you are shooting or not

Jamal Crawford Blog is easy to write when you look at all the coaches that let Crawford control and lead the teams offense for 30 or more mpg.

Coach Skiles 2002-3 season let Crawford run the point for 25 mpg which lead the team to a 30 win season.
And in 2003-4 Crawford lead the same coach and team for 35 mpg to a 23 win season.

Coach Larry Brown in the 2005-6 season gave Crawford 32 mpg as the 6th man off the bench which lead the team to a 23 win season.

Coach Isiah Thomas in 2007-8 season let Crawford lead the team for 40 mpg which lead the team to a 23 win season.

When you think about a Blog for Jamal Crawford 8 year NBA career the first thought should be a 23 win season player.

Jamal

I dont have a clue where you got all these Knick-Fans from but to compare your performance with that of Allan Houston, Sprewell, Starks, Childs, Ward, Mark Jackson, Ray Williams, or Sugar Ray Richardson, you are not worthy enough to tie any of their shoe lace.
Jamal, you have no chemistry with any of your teammates, lastseason you refuse to throw Curry an alley-oop pass to get him into any of the 80 games you played. Cutting off the only teammate that you help score on offense last season showed signs of Selfishness, or disreguard. Plus your hometown teammate Nate Robinson who has already perfected every offensive move that you and Marbury created in your 8 and 12 year NBA career, you let the team put an imature logo on him for having humor & joy in the lockerroom.
The way Nate pressure Knick opositions bringing up the ball shows that without you and Marbury on the roster he has the ability to make this team a winner in his quick transition performance.

Old Time Knick-Fan

jamal! you were my favorite player even before you came to the knicks. ever since you been in ny, you been the one beacon of hope for a good team. you can do it man. be the leader this team needs.

jamal! you were my favorite player even before you came to the knicks. ever since you been in ny, you been the one beacon of hope for a good team. you can do it man. be the leader this team needs.

Hey Jamal, it's so nice for you to interact with Knicks fans through your blog. I always felt you were one of the good guys on the Knicks that we can relate to. I see that I was correct on that assumption since you are here talking to us.

I view you as the leader of the Knicks. Not Marbury, not Curry, and nor anyone else. I truly hope you will lead this Knicks team back to our former glory. You have a lot of young players that you can take under your wing, like Patrick Ewing Jr. and Danilo Gallinari. It's so nice to see some infusion of young talent onto this Knicks team while pushing out some of the guys that don't fit (Marbury).

I truly feel that D'Antoni will help elevate your game to an elite level. You have always had the talent, but I don't know if you ever had the right coach to harness your potential to the fullest. I believe you have that coach who will.

Knicks fans will always be tough. But Jamal, just remember, the fans will be on your side if you and your teammates play hard and show us something. It's difficult to see a guy like Curry take a few plays off or Zach Randolph jawing with the officials instead of running back onto defense. Personally, I can tolerate a losing season as long as you guys are playing hard and building on something that will serve you next season (09-10) and future seasons. That's one thing I respect about you Jamal, you always play hard and I never feel that you take a play off or look like you don't care. I hope that quality about you rubs off on the younger Knicks who, at this point, are very impressionable (especially Gallinari).

Best of luck to you this year Jamal! I can't wait for your next blog post.

Jamal,

Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts. While you may believe that you can hit every shot it is important to realize the value of making the extra pass, going for a two instead of a three and trying to draw fouls instead of flinging the ball from ungodly distances. I talk to alot of Knick fans and the rap is that you have not met a shot you didn't like...no conscience. Pat Riley (who frankly I despise anyway) said that three pointers were "fools gold". It's nice when you hit them but when you miss they lead to long rebounds and fast breaks from the other team. Moreover, field goal shooting of 35% to 40% is just not acceptable in my mind especially when you are not drawing fouls and making the opponent's defense work. You are a good player who can go to the next level with more discipline. I hope that you have a great year and can become an all star candidate. You should be able to thrive in Dantoni's system and hopefully you can create more layups and inside game.

Best for 2008,

Heath

Jamal I commend you for being brave enough to take on a blog with a New York Team! You are going to hear some of the most off the wall comments about your game and sadly about you as a person. But, real fans will keep their talk about you on the court.

Now as a Knick fan I have to say your play has given me both hope and nightmares! Look Jamal you are as talented a player there is in The NBA. But as you said, the shot selection leaves much to be desired. Anyone who has ever played the game knows that sometimes the ball just wont go in, but for Knick fans those bad shooting nights will be much easier to endure if the shots are taken under control, or accompanied with more drives to the basket.

Larry Brown once said that you improved more as a defensive player than anyone he ever coached. That is saying a lot, but unfourtantely for you, when you get praise in NY, it means it is expected all the time. I for one do not think that after nine seasons a player can't improve his game any, Kobe just last season became a very sound team player, so improvement late in a career is very possible.

Best of Luck on this upcoming season! And thanks for taking time to chop it up with us very judgemental, fickle fans!

Jamal I commend you for being brave enough to take on a blog with a New York Team! You are going to hear some of the most off the wall comments about your game and sadly about you as a person. But, real fans will keep their talk about you on the court.

Now as a Knick fan I have to say your play has given me both hope and nightmares! Look Jamal you are as talented a player there is in The NBA. But as you said, the shot selection leaves much to be desired. Anyone who has ever played the game knows that sometimes the ball just wont go in, but for Knick fans those bad shooting nights will be much easier to endure if the shots are taken under control, or accompanied with more drives to the basket.

Larry Brown once said that you improved more as a defensive player than anyone he ever coached. That is saying a lot, but unfourtantely for you, when you get praise in NY, it means it is expected all the time. I for one do not think that after nine seasons a player can't improve his game any, Kobe just last season became a very sound team player, so improvement late in a career is very possible.

Best of Luck on this upcoming season! And thanks for taking time to chop it up with us very judgemental, fickle fans!

jamal crawful = longest tenured NBA player to have never appeared in a playoff game.

your entire game is a joke, jamal, but the bottom line is you're not a winner. whoever said you were the second coming of bruce bowen under LB needs to have their head examined.

If you're sincere about all those things and are honestly working on it, I don't see why you and the team can improve. But I don't think this team will make the playoffs next year, unless the East. Conf. is so bad another 40-42 team qualifies like in 04.

Jamal,

"You got this"!!!!! Stay strong, positive and set the tone defensively. You have shown leadership qualities and I know our Knicks will return to prominence,. Peace my Brother!!!

Jamal take the ball to the hole,stop the 30 foot bombs.
You`ll make your team mates better and yourself also

Jamal- thanks for opening this dialogue. It takes some guts to do and I give you much respect for putting yourself out there.

With the HOF induction of #33 yesterday, I have been watching clips of his highlights on You Tube, Brings back some great memories. Those teams of the 90's never got over the hump but they remain among my favorite sports moments of all time as a fan. They did not always have the most skilled players, but they had the most heart. Please go back and watch those clips if you ever need some inspiration or motivation. Imagine the crowd reacting to you and your teamates the way they responded to the efforts of those teams in the 90's. I look forward to the day when NY Knicks basketball is returned to that level.

Good Luck.

Hey Jamal,

i really like your idea with this blog, because im your bigest fan out of europe i think!!

I dont really felt that your shot selection was that bad this year, maybe in 20% of the games...

i recognized, most of the time your shots came whne the shotclock was at 2 or 3 or when u got doubled or trippled or when u just had a tough defender.

i saw that u gave erything you could for the team success, dont know if that just my subjective opinion or just blind love for your game .

I think you will do very good this season and just wish u the best of luck for your future... i believe in you

greets from germany

Hey Jamal,

i really like your idea with this blog, because im your bigest fan out of europe i think!!

I dont really felt that your shot selection was that bad this year, maybe in 20% of the games...

i recognized, most of the time your shots came whne the shotclock was at 2 or 3 or when u got doubled or trippled or when u just had a tough defender.

i saw that u gave erything you could for the team success, dont know if that just my subjective opinion or just blind love for your game .

I think you will do very good this season and just wish u the best of luck for your future... i believe in you

greets from germany

Hey Jamal,

im your biggest fan...

and i believe in you, you can make the All Star Game this year, i swear i see that!!

greetings from germany

Well crawford, i think that it is great that you are informing every knick fan as well as the nba that you are going to try to be more commited on defense. But lets be real here, D-Antoni probably wont even have you guys practice defense. It's all about offense to that guy and if he couldnt make a team with stoudamire, bell, marion and thomas(Shaq too) play great defense, he will definitely not make your knick team play defense... IMO, you should just be an offensive threat because lock down defenders usually do it for no reason since its d-antoni coaching. Example- Raja played lock down defense but players like T-Mac, Pierce, Kobe torched the team... cuz dantoni is allergic to playing D. 8 second posessions really doesnt warrant defense anyways.

Jamal

It's good to see you have a blog now. It'll be great for us Knicks fans to get a more personal feel for the team. I would like to say a few things to you. First, I think you have shown nothing but class since you have been in the league. You don't bad talk anyone and you try hard every game. Also, you take time out for your fans. I have been to the games at Indiana the past two years (it's closer to Ohio than NY to see you guys) and you have taken the time out both times to sign my jersey and last year, your last game, let me get a picture with you. That shows that you care about your fans. (if you want a copy of the pics, just email and I can get it to you). Second, forget those people who knock you for shooting. As the saying goes, 'you miss 100% of the shots you don't take' and personally, if you didn't feel you could hit every shot you take, you wouldn't be starting in the NBA. Third, good luck this year! This is our year! I've been watching the Knicks since 1991 when I was a kid and this year has the same excitement as it did in the 1990's when the Knicks were going to the playoffs and competing for the top stop year in and year out. Good luck!

Aaron

jamal is a good player...he's the one guy on the team who i really root for because he's a good guy and a good team player...even if his shot selection is crazy sometimes.

all star this year baby!!!!

Whaddup Jamal,
I admire you for being a good sportsman and for the ice that flows in your blood in big game situations. You have quietly done your thing here although your numbers could be better in several areas.

Dude, do you realize that you have the illest handle in the league probably? Do you also realize that your first step is also one of the best in the league? You should be instilling the fear of God in your opposition at ALL times my man. Hear me out man, because I know the game and watch you play every single night of the season.

You need to balance your finesse game with some more power. You have shown the ability to attack that rim when you feel like it, but sometimes it seems like you're surprised that you made such an aggresive move! If you add more power and aggression to your game, you will see more foul shots, and people will have to sag off of you even more than they do now, which will result in more open jumper looks, even though you seem to shoot better with a hand in your face. That desire to get to the hole will take you from good player to superstar status this year, but you gotta have that fire within you, believe that!

Speakin of fire, you need to show that you WILL NOT accept losing. I know it's hard because of what's been going on here recently, but take your winning attitude, and add some fire to it, and watch what happens to not only your game, but the others around you who witness your rise.

Think about it man, real talk, there's not much difference between a guy like dwayne wade and you. You've actually got more tools in my opinion. The only thing that separates a player like him from you is the absolute desire that he displays every night. The will to play stronger than his size, to score, get that rebound, pass the ball, defend, and even block the hell out of somebody's shot if they sleep on him. I know you can be in the top 4-5 SG's in the league and I know that inside of you, you feel the same way, so let's make it happen!!!

Let's make this your career year Mr. Crawford.

BK is watching you...

Jamal,
Thanks for taking the time to post this, The Knicks need you to step up and be a leader. We have watched this team wander aimlessly for too many seasons now. I too am sick of the cracks about my knicks sticker on my car....or when I wear my Oakley jersy out.

This is your time, dont be afraid to lead this team

Good luck from Oregon,

Dominic

Dear jamal crawford
YOU STINK. Ever heard of defense? No you haven't because you stink. all you do is dribble around than shoot. and ill tell you who else stinks on the Knicks..everyone. eddy curry is the softest, weakest big man in the league that plays no defense. Zach Randolph (the Zach hole) never passes the ball. David Lee is a portly fellow and he only gets so many rebounds because no one else is getting them. Stephon Marbury should have been immediately cut after abondoning the team. Nate Robinson should have been immediately benched and traded after he tried to bounce the ball off the floor to himself. He is always celebrating his own points during garbage time losses. Hey Nate the not so Great, why are you so celebrating during losses. Hey Quentin Richardson, you got any trash to talk about Boston this pre-season....no,..when did they shut you up, after the Finals or was it when they beat us by 50. Jerome James, I think your a little overpaid, considering you didn't even show up for most of the games last season. And how about the great architect, Mr. Isaih Thomas. Mr. Thomas you are the stupidest person in the world. Period. You have single-handedly ruined the Knicks. Why did you have the team vote on if Marbury should be benched? Your the coach, you make the decision. Although we already know decision-making is not your high point. Than, after the team voted to bench him, why did you play him? James Dolan, what the hell are you doing? do you even care? Why does Isaih have some fake office job? Why couldn''t we just get rid of him completely. Why did we bring in a coach who focuses on offense, when our defense is horrible. You are sucking the life out of the fans. spike lee only goes to games when Lebron is there. Knick fans miss the days of Oakley, Mason, Ewing, Starks, the days of defense and toughness. Listen to these cries of a agonized Knick fan base, who have suffered so long. Fire Isaih, cut Marbury, trade Z-Bo, trade Nate, get rid of Curry and Richardson, and play some defense.

hey jamal its daniel a knicks fan since being born
you truly give it your all and since we havent been at our best recently you might not get the credit you deserve...you are def one of the best players in the 4th qtr and i think with the emergence of wilson chandler and a new system we can reach the playoffs...i want you to know that you have support behind you and keep giving it your all

thanks jamal,
daniel

You talk very well, but truth is you've been in the league for 9 years and has yet to help guide a team to the playoffs. You are a horrible defender and poor percentage shooter, and that should have been corrected after your first 3 years in the league.

You and Eddie simply can't be on the same team. One of you has to go.

Jamal,

This is impressive for you to come out here like this and hear us out so to speak and to give us more insight into the personalities and innerworkings of the team. These are my concerns and they are not out of hate, because I've got nothing but love (no homo) for the team.

Yes, we are concerned about Eddy's weight. Why won't the team spring for personal chefs, or do they?

You have emerged as the leader of this team. You say you haven't seen Eddy. How is that possible? If you're going to be the leader you can't just get along with the guys, you have to be willing to challenge them. Is there a rift? When they're going for self or not covering their responsibilities, it's hard to come at somebody if you're not playing defense. I respect Nate a lot because from where I sit, Nate does that (challenge guys). Like towelgate last year where Zach threw a towel at Nate because he wouldn't shut up about Zach jacking up bad shots.

I'm one of those guys who watches every video interview after the games. The team is well coached to say the right things after the game but during the games...

A lot of the talk this year has been about the Roosta, but he's a project. Talk about Wilson and what you think he is going to bring to the team this year.

Be strong and fight the good fight. We have what we need. Provide the leadership and do the things that show that you care about this team and they'll follow you (play defense, spend time with the other players) Be the leader we need.

Again, we really appreciate you listening.

incorporate more picknroll strategy,with u rolling 2 the basket,this might open a third pass or freethrow ops.this isnt your game, its the refs game! understand how exactly they choose 2 make whistle blowing decisions and capitalize on them.nate waits 4 a screener b4 shooting,im not sayin u have 2,just use it like ure gonna.keep an open and relaxed mind,and try not 2 turn it over so much,fake upstairs before u bounce pass and vice versa.

Big ups to you for having the courage to be out there and up front about what you perceive as your strengths and shortcomings. And if D'antoni makes you guys as fun to watch as the Suns were, here's hoping we see you in the Finals in a year or two

Jamal - Thanks for the read. Can you tell Eddy Curry to start throwing his weight around a little more and be more aggressive? He's a beast but Barney the dinosaur would probably take it to the rack better and more often down low. Best of luck this year, hope D'Antoni ain't killin you.

JC...kill'em with that sweet crossover..kill'em all..the real fan's have yr back...we have our up's & down's with our Knicks just like we had with the great #33,,but we will always love him..cuz he banged every night & we'll never 4get that..so u do the same this year..we know u can do it..good luck..

Jamal,
First let me say that it's Great to see you doing this and being honest on your assessment of yourself and this team. Understand that this debacle isn't your fault and that you have a mechanism/system in place to imporve/correct that.

I've watched you since College and want to say this. Your shot selection isn't as bad as some believe, but maybe picking Allan Houston's brain and just deciding the right spots/times to gun or even "CHUCK", You could be fire, Boy ! I think you should play off the ball and spot up more so than create your own shot (H2O was great at that), That way you won't have to dribble and get caught up and have to toss a bad shot up with 4 or less on the clock. Also, when you get the ball and can't spot up, You have the atheleticism/quickness to get to the hole, Do it ! You can have nights like that nickle-duece night quite often. Stay up, kid and listen to Coach Mike and play "your" game. Looking forward to an exciting season.

I've never doubted your ability Jamal. You are my favorite player and have been since I watched my first game. Keep on working and I know things in new york will get better. Im out here in boston for college where these guys think they run all sports. I know you and the Knicks will someday be on top. As for your status as an elite player, your going down in my book as own of the greatest to put on a knicks jersey...but what do I know im just a crazy Knicks fan. peace

Go get them man I have much respect for your game. This is your boy from Seattle Washington. Big Scipio Dunn. Hit me I need to holla at you.