Take Eddy Curry, for instance. Early in the 2006-07 season, Curry was on a tear, shooting nearly 60 percent from the field, averaging more than 20 points per game and even hearing faint whispers about an All-Star Game appearance. Then, in February, the wheels fell off. Crawford went out for the season with an ankle injury, and all Curry's numbers dropped except one: turnovers. Curry was still getting touches, but no one else knew how to get him the ball in spots where he could be successful. Granted, Curry has always had hands of stone, but in April of that season he was up to nearly five turnovers a game.

Needless to say, Crawford, who averages more than four assists per game for his career, was missed.