Knicks Press On Without Crawford
One positive sign was the second half play in Wednesday night’s 102-94 loss to the Celtics. “I think we snapped out of it at that point,” point guard Stephon Marbury said. “It WAS very different without Jamal. We just got to keep on doing the same things we’ve been doing and keep our disposition on an even keel.”
”I thought in the first half we definitely struggled,” said Thomas. “It was tough to find a way to play without him. Boston was able to do some things to us defensively to take away our inside game. The second half, we kind of regrouped, went back to the things we normally do. I wasn’t quite sure how our team would react. A lot of times players will say ‘I’ll pick up the slack, do something else’ -- and they get out of character when they do that. I thought the second half we got back in character and started playing the way we’re capable of playing.”
Still, it’s unavoidable: there’s no one on this roster with Crawford’s sizzling streak-shooting, rising-to-the-occasion in the clutch, plus getting-to-the-basket AND outside gunning-with-range combo abilities. “We’re never really going to pick up the slack for Jamal,” said Thomas. “But if everyone stays in their role, do the things they’re capable of doing, we’ll be okay.”
The closest Crawford-replica is Nate Robinson who is kind of a Jamal-type all-around exploder minus several years of NBA experience -- and eight inches. Nate, however, has been struggling with flu symptoms, was unavailable against Boston, and did not practice today. “Once he’s healthy, his shot-making ability is similar to Jamal’s,” said Thomas. “He can score, spread the floor, get his shot off in traffic. The things that he brings to the table can make up for some of the things Jamal was doing.”
Robinson, along with David Lee, remains questionable for tomorrow night’s game against Golden State. Thomas, however, appears to be slightly more upbeat regarding his return than Lee’s who is likely to come back Saturday (against Atlanta) or Tuesday against Seattle at this point.
Then there is, to be a bit Perry Mason-esque about it, “The Case of The Reappearing Guard.” Steve Francis, who a few days ago talked about perhaps being done for the season, has gone to Thomas to express his availability to play. “I wasn’t so much surprised -- more pleased,” smiled the coach. “It just shows how everyone’s pulling together, wanting to do their part. Everyone’s committed to trying to make this push.”
In Crawford’s absence, the increased need to lean on Marbury -- and his aching knees -- is of great concern. “Not only will we need his playmaking abilities but now we really need scoring,” said Thomas. ”We need him to always be a threat out on the floor. It’s going to put a lot on him right now to keep attacking the basket and taking some hits. He’s been able to pick his spots throughout the season. But now it’s got to bean all-out assault.”
In spite of it all, Thomas is not thinking about adding a guard at this juncture. “I’m comfortable with the way Mardy Collins is playing,” he said. “I really liked the things he was able to do last night. Before I bring in someone else, we’ll continue to work with him and develop him.”
“With the team that we have, this experience – whether we’ll make the playoffs or not – is really important,” said Thomas. “You definitely want to make it. But you don’t want to curtail a lot of the experience the younger players will get right now. It’s invaluable to learn what it feels like to play in big-time games.”
