SNY.tv Knicks columnist Rich Zuckerman and TheKnicksBlog.com’s Tommy Dee sit down to discuss the latest happenings around Madison Square Garden.

Rich: For most of the early part of the season, it’s seemed that the New York Knicks have been able to maintain Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo pace and intensity for the first three quarters of games before falling flat in the final period and struggling to hold onto large leads. Last night in Boston it looked like the Knicks flipped the switch, playing almost uninspired basketball for the first three quarters before dialing up their defensive intensity late and nearly erasing a 15-point deficit in the fourth.

The comeback was encouraging, as was the feistiness the Knicks put on display. With Quentin Richardson’s defiantly stating that they know they already have the Celtics’ respect, there’s a sense that the Knicks feel they belong on the court with the defending champions, even if in reality they’re not quite yet in the same class. But Tommy, my man, when will we see this team put forth the type of effort they showed in the fourth quarter Tuesday night for a full 48 minutes?

Tommy: Maybe when they get in shape and when Jared Jefferies arrives. I know, I know, Jefferies is a bum in the minds of Knicks fans, but I think Isiah misused him. D’Antoni is confident that he can add a lot up front, and he should be able to give them some depth.

A full 48 minutes is a ton to ask of any NBA team, but what they did in Boston was make a statement defensively. They now have no excuses. They can grind it out defensively. It shouldn’t take the motivation of playing against Paul Pierce and the World Champs. Defense is about pride. It’s about making teams play against you and you getting the most out of them.

I’m not sure we’ll ever see a complete game from this group, but give D’Antoni credit, he knows what he wants and if he doesn’t get it he sends messages. Like benching Jamal Crawford. Do you think Crawford has the goods to ever be able to handle a grinding defensive game? Or will fans have to live with what he does offensively and always be frustrated with his lack of a physical defensive game. You need strong, physical defenders to win the games like last night, and frankly in the Eastern Conference playoffs as well. Will Jamal ever understand that?

RZ: Probably more than any fanbase across the country, Knicks fans understand what quality defense is about. Crawford puts in effort on the defensive end, but he never has been a physical player on either end of the court, and now in his ninth NBA season and rapidly approaching 30 years of age, he’s unlikely to ever become one.

Crawford can fill the bucket, but he’s never gotten to the foul line nearly enough for a player with his talent. There’s almost a hesitancy on his part to bang with an opposing player. Without a willingness to do that it’s tough to make the hustle plays that make a difference in tight games — skying for a key rebound or hitting the floor for a loose ball.

I like Jamal Crawford the person and basketball player, but I do not believe that he is destined to be a long-term part of these Knicks. Dealing Crawford now would certainly hurt the Knicks’ playoff chances this season, but we have to remember that this is a long-term project. If the Knicks have an opportunity to deal him either at the deadline or after the season and bring back either a quality piece or valuable 2010 cap room, Donnie Walsh should seriously consider doing so.

TD: Internally, the Knicks have to be rooting for Crawford to opt out after this season. He’ll never be a complete player. Remember, he slept through training camp. I don’t think that sat well with D’Antoni.

Great point about not getting to the foul line. It drives me a little nuts, but when his jumper is on, he’s electric. But there are so many holes in his game and he just doesn’t seem to want to fill them, so I think it’s just a matter of time before he goes. At this point, I’m not sure he can get close to the $27 plus million he’s guaranteed here.

I look at Crawford and a guy like John Starks. I know it’s difficult to compare them because Starks played for a winning team, but the guy did whatever it took TO win. Everyone questioned his shot selection but as a coach, if a guy is willing to give it his all defensively, you let him shoot. If Starks got hot, he was one of the best guards in the conference. He played like every minute was his last in the NBA. When you give a player an escalating contract early in his career before he’s proven anything, like Isiah did with Crawford, what incentive does he have? Isiah was basically saying, “I see your talent Jamal and will overpay for it for a long time and hopefully you show people I’m right.”

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