SPORTS BEAT
KNICKS ACQUIRE CRAWFORD AND WILLIAMS
Crawford, 6-5, 190-pounds, averaged 17.3 points and 5.1 assists in 80 games - including 71 starts - for the Bulls this past season. His 165 three-point field goals in 2003-04 broke the franchise’s record and he was one of just four players last season to record at least 50 points in a single game (50 points, Apr. 11 at Toronto). Originally selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2000 NBA Draft and then traded to Chicago on Sep. 25, 2000, the four-year NBA veteran has improved his scoring, rebounding and assist averages in each season. “Our goal is to win the NBA Championship - and we think the additions of Jamal and Jerome will be important pieces of that puzzle,” Thomas said. “Both players have the winning mentality to succeed as Knick players. Jamal has the ability to play both guard positions, and adds an additional scoring punch alongside Allan and Stephon. Jerome is a proven, rugged veteran with playoff experience who will provide us consistency on a nightly basis.” Williams, 6-9, 206-pounds, averaged 6.2 points and 7.0 rebounds in 68 games - including 44 starts - for the Toronto Raptors and Bulls this past season. The eight-year NBA veteran has career averages of 6.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in 508 games for three different teams. “Both Jamal and Jerome are quality veterans that will fit very nicely into our system,” Head Coach Lenny Wilkens said. “Jamal is an outstanding talent that solidifies our backcourt and Jerome is a high-energy athletic player that loves to hustle on the court.” Harrington, 6-9, 235-pounds, averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds in 56 games - including three starts - for the Knicks this past season. Originally acquired on Jan. 30, 2001 from the Vancouver Grizzlies, the eight-year NBA veteran has career averages of 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds in 463 games. For New York over the past 3½ seasons, the Jackson, MS-native appeared in 237 games to average 6.8 points and 4.6 rebounds. Mutombo, 7-2, 261 pounds, averaged 5.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.89 blocks (14th in NBA) in 65 games – including 56 starts – for the Knicks this past season. Originally signed as a free agent on October 9, 2003, the 13-year NBA veteran has career averages of 12.2 point and 12.1 rebounds in 864 games. He is the fourth leading shot-blocker I NBA history with 2,996-career rejections. Trybanski, 7-2, 240-pounds, appeared in just three games, logging five minutes and scoring one point for the Knicks this past season. Acquired mid-way during 2003-04 on January 5, 2004 from the Phoenix Suns, the two-year NBA veteran played in a total of seven games of the season. The Warsaw, Poland-native has played in 22 career games for three teams. Williams, 6-3, 210-poounds, averaged 3.9 points and 2.2 assists in 56 games – including three starts – for the Kicks this past season. Originally acquired on a draft-day deal on June 26, 2002 from the Denver Nuggets, the two-year NBA veteran has career averages of 3.2 points and 2.0 assists in 77 games-all for New York. The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, completing its 58th year of operation, is part of Madison Squar3 Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns a controlling interest in MSG L.P., which also includes the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), The MSG Network, FOX Sports Net and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located I the heart of the New York metropolitan area.
New York Knickerbockers, President of Basketball Operations Isiah Thomas announced today that restricted free agent guard Jamal Crawford has been acquired in a sign-and-trade deal, with the addition of forward Jerome Williams, from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for forward Othella Harrington, guard Frank Williams, and centers Dikembe Mutombo and Cezary Trybanski.
