How Good Can Jamal Crawford Be in Mike D’Antoni’s System?
Could Jamal average 25 under D’Antoni?After Mike D’Antoni convinced his wife to move to the Big Apple, signed his deal, and made some impossibly optimistic remarks at a press conference, everyone wanted to talk about which high profile free agent could come and star in his system. At the top of most New Yorkers’ wish lists? Monta Ellis.
Now, Monta is officially back in Golden State, and the Knicks are forced to deal with the reality of running the same basic roster on the floor. But with D’Antoni preaching the fast break, might the Knicks end up with a super-charged version of Jamal Crawford? He’s clearly the most gifted scorer on their roster, tallying 20.8 points last season. And he loves to fast break, especially when Kirk Hinrich is the last man back on D.
Plus, ‘Mal is in the year before a player option, meaning that he’ll be able to opt out after this season if he wants. He’s got $19 million coming his way from ‘09-’11, but could consider testing the market if he has a monster year under the Knicks’ new coach.
Crawford is five years older than Ellis (who turns 23 in October), but you have to think he should be able to command a similar contract - similar, I said, not exact - if he puts up the kind of season this year that D’Antoni thinks he can in his system. D’Antoni has told me and others that he thinks Crawford can reach all-star status playing in his system.
Could Jamal Crawford be an all-star in New York next year?
Source: Newsday
July 25th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Luigi says:
yes if only they can get a DECENT PG. they cant have anthony roberson
[i mispelled i know] take up the ball. unless the knicks believe hes the black nash or something [i doubt it] but it all starts n ends with the PG n a Big Man n a Proven Scorer with me.
NYK has 2 of the 3.
Big Man - D.Lee.Z-Bo.Curry
Proven Scorer - JC
PG - ? [Nate can do it. i kno steph couldnt. duhon..ehh. roberson..who knows]
July 25th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Justice says:
We’re screwed man! I tried to pley with our roster in 2k8 last night and i almost cut my wrist..we need new players…i can see jc averaging 23 a night this year though
July 25th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Kobeef says:
@Justice
“I tried to pley with our roster in 2k8 last night and i almost cut my wrist”…hilarious.
Shouldn’t more NBA GM’s use the 2k8 test?
Seriously, Jamal has the talent to be a top 5 SG/ or elite PG in the league. Everyone forgets about Duhon who should be a serviceable starter at PG leaving Jamal as the designated gunner. I’ll say 25ppg, 5assist, 5 rebounds which is Vince/Kobe territory.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Ashlov says:
Speaking of games, 2K9 looks filthy with that new updating system they have. That’s the only thing that was pissing me off about the old game.
And totally agreed about the point guard situation. Not sure how they’re going to pull that off in NYC without a distributing point guard. Maybe they’ll get an exception when Eddy Curry dies from a heart attack after their first practice.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Ashlov says:
Actually, I was wrong. It’s NBA Live ‘09 I’m thinking of. Either way, jizz.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Justice says:
live sucks, make the transition…what updating system? i need to read up
July 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Celts Fan says:
@Kobeef, 25, 5, and 5? I’m more inclined to think something like 28, 2, and 3. Who else on that team can really get buckets? Q’s played in the system and done well (though that was 30 pounds and 3 chins ago,) Marbury is probably gone, and I’m pretty sure Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry are going to suffer massive heart attacks by the 2nd quarter of the preseason opener. Jamal’s gonna be thrilled and get to shoot all day. The guy can fill it up in a normal system. Mark my words, if they don’t change the roster up, he’ll be in the top 10 in scoring this year, if not top 5. The opportunity is definitely there.
Also, I think Wilson Chandler (an absolute animal athletically and he’s 6′8″) could break out. He seems like he could potentially fill the (poor man’s) Shawn Marion role well.
July 25th, 2008 at 9:55 am
iain. says:
@Luigi
Naw dog you spelt his name right. Give yourself some more credit lol..
July 25th, 2008 at 10:04 am
iain. says:
Jamal Crawford could average 35/10/10 and the Knickerbockers still would not sniff the postseason. And that survey on the side about the USA/Canada game tonight, one third of people think Canada can win? Really? Really?
Joel Anthony comes off the bench behind MARK BLOUNT and his teams gonna give USA a run? naaa i don’t think so.
July 25th, 2008 at 10:06 am
fiyaman says:
I always like Crawford’s game and always thought he was the best the knicks had its just they never really ran a game for him.. They were more inclined to throw it downlow or let starburst jack up 40 footers.. But yes I see him stepping up his game this yr…
But that still doesnt mean we’re gonna be any good..
July 25th, 2008 at 10:10 am
the mamba says:
I would love to see Lebron as a pg in dantoni’s system. That would b sick
July 25th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Logan Light says:
Yes.
He’s got the skills, he just needs a coach that he can respect. Mikey D should be that guy.
July 25th, 2008 at 11:09 am
K Dizzle says:
The question ain’t “Can Canada beat the USA?”
It’s “Is there any chance that Canada can beat the USA?”
So yeah, there is a chance and maybe it’s a .000001% chance. Put it like this:”Is there any chance I could win the powerball?” There’s a chance. It’s unlikely, but there’s a chance.
Enjoy the blowout
July 25th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Justice says:
Crawford’s game appears to be the same he just really improved his shot selection,i truly believe he and Jr smith had the worst shot selection in the history of the NBA all 60 years or whatever,he can definetely play a rip hamilton type role once he stays under control
July 25th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
BxBaller says:
Yes, Jamal can flourish in this system. I agree with whovever said earlier that Jamal could be a top 5 SG in the league. We all now he can shoot, he can create his own shot, plus he can get to lane and draw fouls (dude shot 86% from the FT last year). He played under control last year, thats why his numbers are up. I just hope that with this new system, he doesn’t revert back to bad shot selections.
I do agree though that a pg is what will be needed to make this style wotk. Again this would be a perfect system for Steph to get back to Starbury level. Q lost mad weight during the summer, (saw him on tv at the summer league game) and Chandler did look like he’s starting to come into his own.
I say we run a lineup of Steph, Jamal, Q, Lee, & Z-Bo. Z-Bo can get boards while Steph, Jamal/Q, & Lee run the break with Q/Jamal spotting up for 3s.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
jz_smoove says:
jamal is one of more underappreciated street-style baller in the league. he is going to be really good unleashed.
July 25th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I`CouldBeYourFather says:
I think Steph has a lot to prove…I think he got the became the scapegoat for the team….and the whole time trying to play hurt. Then when your coach..mentor..next door neighbor turns on you…
I think if Steph comes in ready to play…new coach, new system, he will be the key to the knicks success…making the playoffs….
I think there draft pick Gallinari whatever…will not be successful…he’s too fragile…
July 25th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Kobeef says:
I am still in awe every time I see someone (BxBaller) blog about how Stephon Marbury should start for the Knicks this year. I know he had talent but so did Latrell Sprewell, Steve Francis and a long list of other players who fell apart mentally then physically.
When you new coach (Mike D in this case) says that you are done it means you are done.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
doc says:
Jamal aint gonna do shit Knicks fans.What good is averaging 30 when you 23-59 which is what yall will be.
July 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
the_baconator says:
@celts fan: q-rich has actually lost something like 15-20 pounds already. dude’s looking good
jamal has the potential to go off this year, cuz he fits so well into d’antoni’s system. i’ll go with 25ppg, 5apg, and 5rpg next year. when’s he not gunning he can always dish it down low to a big (hopefully lee, seeing as how he’s the only big we have that can run) or pop it out to q-rich, chandler, or any other shooter
July 25th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Baconator, nice, so he’s down to only 2 chins now?
July 25th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
fiyaman says:
@kobeef post 18 i totally agree .. im tried of people keep defending this scrub… WHAT IS IT GONNA TAKE FRO PEOPLE TO REALIZE HES A BUM>> GET RID OF HIM ALREADY.. besides if he does play and does play gd the only reason would be because he has something prove..Fuck that he should have had something to prove from day1.. how many times do u have to get trade and get dumped on b4 u decide u need to prove everyone wrong… times up drop his ass… or let him sit at home and collect his chk but dont let him anywhere near this team.. its time to rebuild and we need to do this shit right..
July 25th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
BxBaller says:
@ Kobeef,
when did Mike D said he was done? Or is that you’re opinion?
July 25th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
J-Dot says:
Jamal Crawford is immensely talented. Thought another year at Michigan would have helped him reign in his game a little bit, but he can flat out ball. This article asks an intriguing question, and the idea of a supercharged Jamal Crawford is exciting, as a fan of his and a general Knicks supporter.
Regardless of the end results for the team, I agree with the sentiment that Jamal is poised for a successful individual season. I don’t know if players over 25 can have “breakout” seasons lol, but Jamal should have one of the better seasons of his career this season.
July 25th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
hahns says:
the thing w/ steph is that hes only known one way to play his whole career. hes a scoring pg and is used scoring a lot and having the ball in his hands all the time. i dont wana directly compare the two, but if you watch cp3 play, he definitely dominates the ball a lot too. and derrick rose too, i think a lot of his assists are giong to come from him getting into the lane and kicking out to open players, thast how these guys play pg. they’re not floor generals like jkidd, who can conduct their offense like an orchestra. they get into the lane and create.
he was always trying to prove himself- and had success individually, althouh his teams werent winning. so he tried to adapt to larry brown’s coaching style/pg style, but just coudlnt succeed in that system. now everyone thinks hes washed up. he didnt JUST NOW decide to start proving ppl wrong….he tried to adapt to being more of a role player…something he isnt used to. i think if coach dantoni played to his strengths more, he can still put up very nice numbers- especially in his system where there are more shots to go around.
this all to say that i still think larry brown killed steph’s career. every off season you hear steph saying “im working out hard and am gona come back strong this year” hes ALWAYS trying to prove himself, especially bc hes in nyc, his home. but this is all NOT an excuse for his attitude- that is something he stilllll needs to fix….
speaking of pg’s trying to adapt styles. how many points do you think nash could avg if he wasnt a pass first pg? 25? 27? hes not super quick, but he gets anywhere he wants on the court and has one of the nicest/consistent strokes in the league.
July 25th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Kudabeen says:
Jamal Crawford = Nastiest Fast break go to move:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz5DXIezqr4
Even Nastier:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crs-QT1DERo
July 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
the mamba says:
I see d’antoni running w this lineup in the crunch…
Pg crawford
Sg q rich
Sf chandler
Pf gallo
C d lee
And them running like crazy
July 27th, 2008 at 7:52 am
AB_40 says:
he’ll be they leading scorer. But all star? nah top 5 sg in the L? hell no. sorry to say this but he should be a sixth man microwave on a contending team. he’s too inconsistent to be a full time starter. especialy on a team that try’s to define itself and tries to win ballgames