<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Larry Brown once again leaned heavily on a three-guard set, but usual starter Quentin Richardson was not anywhere near the rotation in the Knicks' 109-101 victory over the Bulls last night at the Garden. Stephon Marbury, first-time starter Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford (game-high 28 points) combined for 60 points and each logged at least 32 minutes of playing time. Richardson, who said he "could've played" despite Brown's assertion he had a stiff back, was the only player in uniform not to enter the game for the Knicks. "I thought he was hurting (Tuesday). He complained about his back in practice," Brown said. "I didn't feel comfortable watching him." Richardson, who started 10 of the Knicks' first 13 games, arrived with well-publicized back issues when the Knicks acquired him from Phoenix for Kurt Thomas over the summer. Richardson, who is shooting just 36.5% from the field after leading the NBA in three-pointers made last season, said he and Brown never discussed the possibility of sitting out the game. Instead, he said, he learned from the training staff that Brown didn't plan on playing him. "I was a little stiff (Tuesday) and that's probably why he didn't play me," said Richardson, who is averaging 6.8 points. "I think I could've gone out there, but at the same time it's always good to get some rest." Robinson came to the Knicks in the same offseason trade with the Suns, and the jitterbug rookie - whom Brown has called "a little nutty" on the offensive end - was inserted into the lineup for his first NBA start. Brown said he thought starting Robinson would allow Crawford to continue providing a boost off the bench, while giving Marbury a break from guarding whoever was manning the point for the Bulls. The 5-9 Robinson netted 14points (on 4-for-12 shooting) and, more important, committed no turnovers in 35 minutes, the most he has played in one game this season.</div> Source
