Jamal Crawford raised his left hand during yesterday's shootaround at Wachovia Center, trying to pose a question to Larry Brown as the Knicks coach discussed defensive options against a particular Sixers play.

Crawford never got the query out.

"It's crazy," the Knicks guard said before last night's 80-71 preseason victory over the 76ers. "I was about to ask him a question. He knew what I was about to ask and he already had the answer for it. He's always two steps ahead of everyone else.

"That's why he's the best out there," Crawford said. "He didn't have to hear what I had to say."

Meet Crawford The Convert. It's refreshing to hear him talk enthusiastically about defense.

"I'm very excited [about the defense]," Crawford said. "You don't have to score a ton of points to win a basketball game. He's getting that across. You can score 85 a game and keep a team to 80, you win."