Crawford Ready to Join League’s Elite Under D’Antoni
Oct 6 2008 8:06PM
Related Images
Jamal Crawford is ready to bring his game to elite status under new coach Mike D'Antoni.
NBAE/Getty Images
Click Here for All Exclusive NYKnicks.com Q & A Interviews
Photo Gallery: Jamal Crawford in Action
Oct. 6., 2008
As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.
We continue our series with Jamal Crawford, the Knicks player that most around the league expect to reach elite status under Mike D'Antoni. Nonetheless, the consummate professional that he is, Crawford is focused more on winning and bringing the Knicks back to prominence rather than any individual accolades he may gain in the process.
NYKnicks.com: How was your summer before you camp into camp?
Jamal Crawford: I stayed home a lot and really spent a lot of time just working out and getting ready for the season. I'm excited. I'm very excited.
NYKnicks.com: What has Mike D'Antoni said to you since he came aboard as head coach that might have caused such excitement?
Crawford: He really believes the sky is the limit for me. With his system, and the way we are going to play, it's going to be very exciting for our fans to watch. You know, I always said if I went to Phoenix I could do some special things, and now in a way, Phoenix has kinda come to New York.
NYKnicks.com: When you used to go up against Phoenix, what would usually o through your mind?
Crawford: I always knew, honestly, that it was going to be a real fun game. They were going to force you to get up and down the court and we were going to get a lot of possessions. And now, like I said, Phoenix has come to us, so I'm ready to step up and take it to the next level.
NYKnicks.com: When other players are asked which of their teammates they expect to thrive this season, they immediately say "Jamal Crawford." Does that put any extra pressure on you that they are expecting but things out of you this year?
Crawford: Nah,, because it's no more pressure than I put on myself. I'm expecting myself to have a great year, and that means winning. Everything else will take care of itself individually, but as long as we're winning, I'll be happy.
NYKnicks.com: How tired are you of hearing how you are the longest tenured player never to reach the playoffs?
Crawford: That gets to me to be honest, but it really bothers me more that I actually haven't been in it. And not because that's what people are saying or because it might change the way some people see me, but because I really want to get there. I feel like if I get there, things will really take off for me and my team, and hopefully that happens this year.
NYKnicks.com: Do you feel people don't appreciate you as much as they should because of that statistic?
Crawford: Well, I do think that people respect you more when you win. And you know, that's fine. I'll keep sliding under the radar because I really don't deserve any accolades or anything right now. But when we win, I think that's when people will really start talking. And that is how it should be, to be honest.
NYKnicks.com: Have you talked a lot with Donnie Walsh?
Crawford: Yeah, definitely! I talk to Donnie all the time. He's a straight shooter and he is very excited about our team. I saw the videos (Town Forum) he did with the season subscribers that were up on the web site, which I really liked by the way, and how he said he expected an all-star type of season. And I agree with him. I think the sky's the limit, and that things are really in place for us right now.
NYKnicks.com: The Division Atlantic has gotten better without a doubt with Elton Brand now in Philly and Jermaine O'Neal traded to Toronto. How are the Knicks going to compete with them?
Crawford: I think we will be right there with them, you know. I think we will be good. We didn't really make any additions talent wise like they did asides from (Chris) Duhon and (Danilo) Gallinari. We pretty much have the same team asides from (Renaldo) Balkman. But asides that, we have a new coach who is one of the best there is, and a style that is so much fun to play, and that can't be overlooked. Everybody wants to play in this system, and we really are going to do well with it this year. Talking to the guys and now having a chance to play with them, everyone is excited and you can feel it.
NYKnicks.com: Can you talk a little about Gallinari? He is a type of player you haven't had since you have been here.
Crawford: He's going to be special. You know, I talk with Gallo all the time, and just watching him in Las Vegas, that game he played he was just special to watch. And I've kind of known about him for a while. Will Conroy, one of my best friends, actually played with him, and he told me about Gallo a long time ago and how there was this kid over in Italy that was just unreal to watch. And then we ended up drafting Gallo and I was just really excited. He is going to be a special player. He's just got to get healthy right now, but we are going to take our time with him because he is the type of player that can really turn a team around once he establishes himself.
NYKnicks.com: And how about Duhon?
Crawford: He's solid. I didn't get to play with him in Chicago because I left the year before he got there actually, but I always wanted to play with him. Working out with him the last few weeks, he is exactly what I thought he would be. He's a pass first point guard, solid, fast and he loves to play defense. He loves to make his team go, and I'm excited to be there with him.
NYKnicks.com: What about Patrick Ewing Jr? How has he looked?
Crawford: He is a freak athlete (laughs). Honestly! He can do anything, and he knows how to play the game. He also is a great character guy. I like talking to Pat a lot, and his experience growing up in the Knicks organization, indirectly and directly, it's awesome to talk to him about that. I really like him a lot as a person, and as a player of course.
NYKnicks.com: Another player joining the team is Anthony Roberson. How would you describe his game?
Crawford: Man, he can shoot the lights out! He is one of the best shooters on the team already.
NYKnicks.com: Are you saying he's a better shooter than you?
Crawford: (laughs) Ahhhh, we haven't seen him in the game situations! But no, he can shoot it though, that's for sure. But Allan Houston, now he's the best shooter I have ever seen.
NYKnicks.com: With Houston in camp again, are you still learning from him?
Crawford: Oh yeah! I mean, I pick his brain all the time, like how he prepared when he was in my position early in his career, and what it takes to be a better player and basically be like him.
NYKnicks.com: Do you have any personal goals?
Crawford: No, I really don't. I mean, honestly, if we win, everything will take care of itself. Everyone keeps saying, "Oh Jamal, he's going to be an All-Star this year" and this and that, but all that matters to me is winning right now. I want to win really badly.
NYKnicks.com: And you expect to win this year?
Crawford: Yeah, I expect to win. You never want to go into the season saying you are going to lose, and after working out with the guys, I think we can turn some heads and surprise a lot of people.
NYKnicks.com: Can you sense a different culture in the air?
Crawford: Oh yeah, without a doubt. Things are definitely changing, and they are changing for the better. It's like a new beginning for everybody. It's a fresh start for everyone on this team, and hopefully we can make the most of it.
NYKnicks.com: Do you take this season personally?
Crawford: Of yeah, definitely. I am one of the captains and a leader on this team, and I want to help this team reach the playoffs and shock everyone. But it's a team game and I realize that, so I'm going to really try to help everyone out and step up even more than I have in the past.
NYKnicks.com: What kind of a lift do you get from playing at The Garden.
Crawford: It's the ultimate. It's the ultimate rush. I mean, just even seeing the Liberty in the playoffs, I was sitting there thinking, 'Wow, I really play 41 games out on the court in this building.' And especially this year and all the changes going on, it's going to be even better and I can't wait to get back out there in front of the fans.
NYKnicks.com: You've done a tremendous job off the court with your "Jamal Crawford Foundation." Can you talk a bit about what you have planned for the coming months?
Crawford: We're kicking a lot of ideas around right now, and it's a really exciting time. We just had our camp again out in Seattle again obviously, and we did the funding for the trainers and all of Seattle's public schools. But I love to play pool, so we are thinking about having a billiards thing and giving that money somewhere. We are also supporting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters again, and I've been teamed up with PS 58 for a few years now, so I'm going to keep that going as well.
NYKnicks.com: Finally, what's one thing you would want to tell Knicks fans going into this season?
Crawford: We're going to be exciting. This is the most excited I've been heading into the season since I can remember, and when we get out there on the court, we're going to be a team you can be proud of and that you enjoy watching. We're going to be fun.
Click Here for more information on tickets to catch the new era of exciting Knicks basketball.
Ticket plans start as low as $99!
Individual tickets are also available for purchase. Click here for more information.
Photo Gallery: Jamal Crawford in Action
Oct. 6., 2008
As the start of a new season -- and a new era -- of New York Knicks basketball draws closer, NYKnicks.com will sit down with the players, coaches and others closely associated with the team to discuss their thoughts on the outlook for 2008-09.
We continue our series with Jamal Crawford, the Knicks player that most around the league expect to reach elite status under Mike D'Antoni. Nonetheless, the consummate professional that he is, Crawford is focused more on winning and bringing the Knicks back to prominence rather than any individual accolades he may gain in the process.
NYKnicks.com: How was your summer before you camp into camp?
Jamal Crawford: I stayed home a lot and really spent a lot of time just working out and getting ready for the season. I'm excited. I'm very excited.
NYKnicks.com: What has Mike D'Antoni said to you since he came aboard as head coach that might have caused such excitement?
Crawford: He really believes the sky is the limit for me. With his system, and the way we are going to play, it's going to be very exciting for our fans to watch. You know, I always said if I went to Phoenix I could do some special things, and now in a way, Phoenix has kinda come to New York.
NYKnicks.com: When you used to go up against Phoenix, what would usually o through your mind?
Crawford: I always knew, honestly, that it was going to be a real fun game. They were going to force you to get up and down the court and we were going to get a lot of possessions. And now, like I said, Phoenix has come to us, so I'm ready to step up and take it to the next level.
NYKnicks.com: When other players are asked which of their teammates they expect to thrive this season, they immediately say "Jamal Crawford." Does that put any extra pressure on you that they are expecting but things out of you this year?
Crawford: Nah,, because it's no more pressure than I put on myself. I'm expecting myself to have a great year, and that means winning. Everything else will take care of itself individually, but as long as we're winning, I'll be happy.
NYKnicks.com: How tired are you of hearing how you are the longest tenured player never to reach the playoffs?
Crawford: That gets to me to be honest, but it really bothers me more that I actually haven't been in it. And not because that's what people are saying or because it might change the way some people see me, but because I really want to get there. I feel like if I get there, things will really take off for me and my team, and hopefully that happens this year.
NYKnicks.com: Do you feel people don't appreciate you as much as they should because of that statistic?
Crawford: Well, I do think that people respect you more when you win. And you know, that's fine. I'll keep sliding under the radar because I really don't deserve any accolades or anything right now. But when we win, I think that's when people will really start talking. And that is how it should be, to be honest.
NYKnicks.com: Have you talked a lot with Donnie Walsh?
Crawford: Yeah, definitely! I talk to Donnie all the time. He's a straight shooter and he is very excited about our team. I saw the videos (Town Forum) he did with the season subscribers that were up on the web site, which I really liked by the way, and how he said he expected an all-star type of season. And I agree with him. I think the sky's the limit, and that things are really in place for us right now.
NYKnicks.com: The Division Atlantic has gotten better without a doubt with Elton Brand now in Philly and Jermaine O'Neal traded to Toronto. How are the Knicks going to compete with them?
Crawford: I think we will be right there with them, you know. I think we will be good. We didn't really make any additions talent wise like they did asides from (Chris) Duhon and (Danilo) Gallinari. We pretty much have the same team asides from (Renaldo) Balkman. But asides that, we have a new coach who is one of the best there is, and a style that is so much fun to play, and that can't be overlooked. Everybody wants to play in this system, and we really are going to do well with it this year. Talking to the guys and now having a chance to play with them, everyone is excited and you can feel it.
NYKnicks.com: Can you talk a little about Gallinari? He is a type of player you haven't had since you have been here.
Crawford: He's going to be special. You know, I talk with Gallo all the time, and just watching him in Las Vegas, that game he played he was just special to watch. And I've kind of known about him for a while. Will Conroy, one of my best friends, actually played with him, and he told me about Gallo a long time ago and how there was this kid over in Italy that was just unreal to watch. And then we ended up drafting Gallo and I was just really excited. He is going to be a special player. He's just got to get healthy right now, but we are going to take our time with him because he is the type of player that can really turn a team around once he establishes himself.
NYKnicks.com: And how about Duhon?
Crawford: He's solid. I didn't get to play with him in Chicago because I left the year before he got there actually, but I always wanted to play with him. Working out with him the last few weeks, he is exactly what I thought he would be. He's a pass first point guard, solid, fast and he loves to play defense. He loves to make his team go, and I'm excited to be there with him.
NYKnicks.com: What about Patrick Ewing Jr? How has he looked?
Crawford: He is a freak athlete (laughs). Honestly! He can do anything, and he knows how to play the game. He also is a great character guy. I like talking to Pat a lot, and his experience growing up in the Knicks organization, indirectly and directly, it's awesome to talk to him about that. I really like him a lot as a person, and as a player of course.
NYKnicks.com: Another player joining the team is Anthony Roberson. How would you describe his game?
Crawford: Man, he can shoot the lights out! He is one of the best shooters on the team already.
NYKnicks.com: Are you saying he's a better shooter than you?
Crawford: (laughs) Ahhhh, we haven't seen him in the game situations! But no, he can shoot it though, that's for sure. But Allan Houston, now he's the best shooter I have ever seen.
NYKnicks.com: With Houston in camp again, are you still learning from him?
Crawford: Oh yeah! I mean, I pick his brain all the time, like how he prepared when he was in my position early in his career, and what it takes to be a better player and basically be like him.
NYKnicks.com: Do you have any personal goals?
Crawford: No, I really don't. I mean, honestly, if we win, everything will take care of itself. Everyone keeps saying, "Oh Jamal, he's going to be an All-Star this year" and this and that, but all that matters to me is winning right now. I want to win really badly.
NYKnicks.com: And you expect to win this year?
Crawford: Yeah, I expect to win. You never want to go into the season saying you are going to lose, and after working out with the guys, I think we can turn some heads and surprise a lot of people.
NYKnicks.com: Can you sense a different culture in the air?
Crawford: Oh yeah, without a doubt. Things are definitely changing, and they are changing for the better. It's like a new beginning for everybody. It's a fresh start for everyone on this team, and hopefully we can make the most of it.
NYKnicks.com: Do you take this season personally?
Crawford: Of yeah, definitely. I am one of the captains and a leader on this team, and I want to help this team reach the playoffs and shock everyone. But it's a team game and I realize that, so I'm going to really try to help everyone out and step up even more than I have in the past.
NYKnicks.com: What kind of a lift do you get from playing at The Garden.
Crawford: It's the ultimate. It's the ultimate rush. I mean, just even seeing the Liberty in the playoffs, I was sitting there thinking, 'Wow, I really play 41 games out on the court in this building.' And especially this year and all the changes going on, it's going to be even better and I can't wait to get back out there in front of the fans.
NYKnicks.com: You've done a tremendous job off the court with your "Jamal Crawford Foundation." Can you talk a bit about what you have planned for the coming months?
Crawford: We're kicking a lot of ideas around right now, and it's a really exciting time. We just had our camp again out in Seattle again obviously, and we did the funding for the trainers and all of Seattle's public schools. But I love to play pool, so we are thinking about having a billiards thing and giving that money somewhere. We are also supporting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters again, and I've been teamed up with PS 58 for a few years now, so I'm going to keep that going as well.
NYKnicks.com: Finally, what's one thing you would want to tell Knicks fans going into this season?
Crawford: We're going to be exciting. This is the most excited I've been heading into the season since I can remember, and when we get out there on the court, we're going to be a team you can be proud of and that you enjoy watching. We're going to be fun.
Click Here for more information on tickets to catch the new era of exciting Knicks basketball.
Ticket plans start as low as $99!
Individual tickets are also available for purchase. Click here for more information.
