Top 20 Knicks Peformances Of The 2006-07 Season

1. JAMAL CRAWFORD vs. Miami 1/26/07, Knicks win 116-96
   Knicks dominate the defending NBA champs? Actually, it’s more like JC dominates the defending champs with a you-had-to-be-there 52-point extravaganza (no teammate scores more than 16). Following a quiet-before-the-storm first period in which he scored three-points, Crawford makes 16 field goals in a row – something no NBA player has accomplished in 10 years. Crawford's shots were falling in every possible fashion to tally 49 points over the next two and a half quarters. He is taken out of the blowout with 6:57 to go.

   “I just got into a nice rhythm,” understates the smiling JC. “We were rolling pretty nicely on all cylinders,’’ adds forward David Lee. “But it makes it a lot easier when one guy simply can’t miss.’’

2. EDDY CURRY at Milwaukee 4/7/07, Knicks win 118-113 in OT
   The 6-11, 285-pound Curry ties the game in regulation with 0.9 seconds left on the clock with his ONLY three-point field goal (on his lone attempt) of the season – then the Knicks go on to a much-needed win to stay on the periphery of the playoff race. Curry scores 43 points on an unbelievable 17-20 shooting, pulls down 13 rebounds, and adds 2 steals. “Mardy Collins did a great job looking for me, ”an overwhelmed (but vainly trying to appear nonchalant) Curry says of his miracle three. “Other than that, it’s just shooting.”

3. DAVID LEE vs. Charlotte 12/20/06, Knicks win in 2 OT 111-109
   Four days after the brawl against Denver, the vastly shorthanded Knicks blast back from their largest deficit of the season (19 points down with 2:33 to go in the second period) to win with just eight players. Luckily, one of them is the omnipresent Lee who pulls down 19 rebounds, scores 10 points, and hands out 3 assists.

   Then, with 0.01 seconds left on the clock in the second OT, he converts a tip-in to win the game for one of the most miraculous finishes in Knick history. “I acted like I was going to set a back screen,” Lee said of the amazing play. “They didn’t communicate well. And from there it was just Jamal Crawford making a perfect pass.”

4. RENALDO BALKMAN vs. Toronto 3/18/07, Knicks win 92-74
   The Knicks put on their best defensive performance of the season against the Atlantic Divison champs (who blasted them off the court in Toronto just 4 days earlier) -- and Balkman is the igniter. The rookie is literally all over the floor in the key 35-13 third quarter with 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, and a steal, gaining extra possession after extra possession for his team with his absolutely inspired play.

   He ends up with a double double -- 15 points and 12 rebounds -- shooting 7-7. “The dude’s something,” guard Steve Francis marvels afterwards. “He gave us the spark.” ‘’Defensively, Renaldo can change the whole game,” Coach Isiah Thomas agrees.

5. STEPHON MARBURY vs. Detroit, 12/27/06, Knicks win 151-145 in Triple OT
   The Knicks defeat the best of the East in perhaps most thrilling game of the season, led by Marbury (41 points on 13-23 fg, 8 assists, 5 rebounds) who exchanges beyond-spectacular scoring sprees with Rip Hamilton the entire contest. Supersteph puts the Knicks up 61-60 with a buzzer-beating three at halftime, keeps the scoring-at-will Pistons at bay with a constant burst of baskets, then ties what once seemed a hopeless situation by hitting the last 5 points in the first OT.

   He even wins over a doubting Garden crowd in the process. “It felt wonderful how the fans put their arms around him – and us,” Isiah Thomas says afterwards.

6. DAVID LEE vs. Utah, 12/18/06, Knicks win in OT 97-96
   The Knicks participate in the brawl vs. Denver, get blown out, get four players suspended, and are pronounced hopeless by everyone in the know. The very next game they defeat the high-quality Western Conference contenders with Lee (17 points, 20 rebounds, 7 offensive boards, 3 assists, 2 steals) seemingly replacing three players all by himself.

7. JAMAL CRAWFORD at Denver, 11/8/06, Knicks win 109-107
   The one-and-three Knicks gain much-needed confidence and credibility with a big road-win over a quality club as JC goes off for 35 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals while outplaying a sizzling Carmelo Anthony, whom he also steals the ball from in a crucial spot. Knicks are now 2-0 on the road and 0-3 at home in strange anomaly that keeps them afloat during early Garden struggles.

   “I’ve put in a lot of extra time with the coaches,” he says afterwards. “So it was just a matter of time. Now it’s paying off.”

8. EDDY CURRY vs. Miami, 2/26/07, Knicks win 99-93
   Curry simply overpowers the best defensive center-duo in the league – Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning – with 28 points and 11 rebounds (5 offensive). “I like challenges,” he smiles in the victorious post game locker room. ”And tonight was a challenge.”

9. EDDY CURRY vs. Milwaukee, 12/9/06, Knicks win 115-107
   The Knicks overcome the Bucks’ all-season back-court domination (Michael Redd and Mo Williams go off for 55 points in this one) with Curry crushing recent No.1-pick-in-the-country Andrew Bogut with a then-career-high 36 points and 9 rebounds. Big Eddy, inspired, even throws in 3 blocked shots and 2 steals, proving that he is beginning to develop on defense. “I was trying to play with a lot of energy,” explains Eddy. “And my team-mates were looking for me.”

10. STEPHON MARBURY vs. Utah, 12/18/06, Knicks win 97-96 OT
    The Knicks overcome a 16-point first quarter deficit with a visibly determined Marbury gritting his teeth for 29 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Steph then channels his inner Starbury by driving for the winning basket as the clock runs out before joyously scooting off the floor.

    The crowd, which was booing Marbury quite a bit in the early season, erupts. “Stephon understands the City better than any of us, the ups and downs of it,” Isiah Thomas said. “I was proud of the way he just kept battling.”

11. JARED JEFFRIES vs. L.A. Lakers, 1/30/07, Knicks win 99-94
    Jeffries explodes out of his slump (he played just 25 minutes total the previous four games) with the type of all-around performance he was known and acquired for (14 points, 6-7 fg, 7 rebounds, 3 offensive boards, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals). He makes three towering plays down the stretch of the big win, including blocking a Brian Cook three that would have cut the Knick lead to one with 11 seconds to go. “It is great to see an athlete who has worked so hard regain his game and touch,” Isiah Thomas said.

12. CHANNING FRYE vs. Toronto, 3/18/07, Knicks win 92-74
    Frye not only has 20 points (10-15 shooting), 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and an assist in a huge Knick victory but also spearheads key defensive plays with hustle, long limbs everywhere, and uncanny quickness. “We knew we had to make those guys put it on the floor,” he smiles while referring to big men Andrea Bargnani and Jose Garbajosa who killed the Knicks with tremendous three point shooting four days earlier. ”And we did just that.”

13. DAVID LEE vs. Orlando, 2/20/07, Knicks win 100-94
    Lee doesn’t score his first field-goal until 3:07 to go in the third quarter but finishes with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots off the bench to quite literally cajole, carry, and drive the Knicks to a crucial, close win. “He just went off tonight,” impressed Orlando center Dwight Howard says afterwards. “The dude was everywhere.”

14. DAVID LEE at Indiana, 1/20/07, Knicks win 108-106
    Mr. Hustle has 20 and 16 (plus three assists) off the bench in huge road victory as the improving Knicks begin the drive toward the playoffs. ”Tonight we just tried to stay with it,” he says. “It was nice to come in here and get a win against a good team.”

15. STEPHON MARBURY at Atlanta, 3/3/07, Knicks win 104-100 in OT
    Steph has 38 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals, against just one turnover, as the only starter scoring in double figures. “We were down – but we never felt we were going to lose,” he says.

16. JAMAL CRAWFORD vs. Chicago, 12/22/06, Knicks win 103-92
    The shorthanded Knicks hand a loss to an excellent Bulls team with a sizzling JC scoring 30 and handing out 4 assists. “What happened was unfortunate – but the guys are coming together,” said Crawford of the team’s amazing post-brawl revival. “We are just going to roll with it.”

17. STEPHON MARBURY at Dallas, 3/30/07, Knicks lose 105-103
    Steph scores 43 in an impressive one-man assault on the team with the best record in the league. Masterpiece, however, is marred by lazy pass on crucial last-possession turnover. “Yes, we showed we want it,” he said after the Knicks best losing performance of the season. “We’re fighting to get to the playoffs.”

18. RENALDO BALKMAN vs. Philadelphia, 4/4/07, Knicks lose 92-90
    Balkman has a double double by halftime, but the too-injured Knicks lose in spite of his 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 steals. “You know I’m all about playing hard,” he winces afterwards. “And winning. So while this feels good…it doesn’t mean all that much.”

19. JAMAL CRAWFORD vs. Boston, 11/18/06, Knicks lose 122-118
    JC scores 37 off the bench, the best pine-performance for a New York Knick since Bob McAdoo’s 41 in 1978.

20. QUENTIN RICHARDSON at Memphis, 11/1/06, Knicks win 118-117 in triple OT
    The season gets off on the right note as Q bombs the Grizzlies for 31 points (on 5-5 treys), 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Performances like those make Knicks fans excited for the upcoming season and the future of the franchise. The 2006-2007 season was filled with exciting and memorable moments. Memories of these special performances and exciting plays will have to keep us going until next season.