MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Jamal Crawford still throws up questionable shots, but he took another step forward in terms of stepping up to fill voids. When the Knicks lost Stephon Marbury for extended periods, he slid over and played the point. When the Knicks needed a voice in the locker room, he spoke up. Crawford averaged 20 points and five assists.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Stephon Marbury did not like hearing blame for the Knicks' slow start and bolted a road trip for home. He took an extended leave following the death of his father, then shut down in January to have surgery on a cranky ankle. Marbury only appeared in 24 games, averaging 13.9 points and 4.7 assists, both career lows.

BIGGEST NEEDS: If the Knicks decide to unload or buy out Stephon Marbury, they will need a point guard who is capable of making quick decisions and finding the open man. Since they aren't likely to deal Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, it wouldn't hurt to bring in a big man who's known to be active defensively.

FREE AGENT FOCUS: Getting under the salary cap is a priority for new team president Donnie Walsh, but he's going to have to wait. He won't be shedding a lot of salary this summer by letting the likes of Fred Jones and Randolph Morris hit the free agent market. Both are role players who probably don't fit into future plans.

PLAYER NOTES:

--F Wilson Chandler, who missed the final game of the season with a sprained left knee, was cleared to resume basketball activities with a few undisclosed limitations. He is expected to be ready for summer league.

--F David Lee was being dangled as trade bait before the draft as Knicks president Donnie Walsh looked for a second lottery pick. Nothing came together, but it seems the organization would rather part with the energetic forward than offer him a contract extension.

--G Stephon Marbury is probably gone after this season, if not before. When asked whether the Knicks needed point guard help, Knicks president Donnie Walsh indicated the team could go into the season as is, then quickly mentioned he'll probably go looking for help via trade or free agency.