Rainer Beach graduate steals show -- and it's not Robinson

While Nate Robinson came back for a Seattle curtain call, it was a different former Rainier Beach High School star who stole the show.

New York's Jamal Crawford, who graduated from Rainier Beach three years before Robinson, scored 31 points in the second half on 8-for-13 shooting, leading the Knicks back from a 13-point second-half deficit to beat the Sonics 104-101 at the Key Arena last night.

"He made a lot of tough shots," said Seattle coach Bob Weiss. "Some of those were two steps behind the three-point line. That was just a testament to his shooting."

The Sonics (8-9) led by double digits most of the game until late in the third quarter. Nonetheless, on a night with a retro theme -- throwback jerseys included -- Robinson and Crawford turned back the clock to their former days.

Robinson, who finished with 10 points, stroked a 17-footer to close the Knicks (6-11) within six points with 1:31 left in the third. On the next possession, Crawford took the ball from Robinson, banked home a 12-footer and drew the foul.

"I was thinking in my head, 'Just keep getting him the ball, it's like the hoop is as big as the ocean, he's not going to miss too many shots,'" Robinson said.

Just seconds later, Robinson got a steal at the top of the key and went down the court to close the game to one point in the closing seconds of the quarter.

New York coach Larry Brown called it "by far the best game" of Robinson's budding career -- the second start for the 5-foot-9 guard. Crawford's scoring total was a season high.

"It was great because it felt like we were back on the playground again -- like we hooped it up every day at the UW in the summer," Robinson said. "I have so much confidence in Jamal, and he has the same in me."

The Knicks scored on a Channing Frye jumper to open the fourth quarter and never trailed the remainder of the game, although Seattle guard Ray Allen had a chance to tie the game with 5.9 seconds left, but missed on a 3-point attempt from the right wing.

"It's a great win for us," Brown said. "We hung on and made plays -- and we've lost our share of games like these."

Robinson played 23 minutes in the game, running the point most of the time and going toe-to-toe with former Oregon guard Luke Ridnour. The 21-year-old guard, who played the role of shooting guard at Washington, is still learning to take on the role of a point guard.

Early in the fourth quarter, Brown called Robinson to the bench, visibly frustrated with his young apprentice. Robinson had run the wrong play.

"I thought he called one play, but he called another play, because they're similar," Robinson said. "I told him it was my fault."

"You're going to lead the league in 'my faults,'" Brown responded, laughing.

Robinson didn't play the final nine minutes of the game, in contrast to the game two weeks ago in which he nailed a rainbow 3-pointer to beat Philadelphia as time expired.

"I'm thrilled with the way he is playing," Brown said. "He is a young kid who wants to be coached."

And even though he might be 3,000 miles from home, he has some familiar faces from which he can learn.

"I've watched him grow so much up from high school," Crawford said. "He's better and better each time out. Tonight it felt like the old Rainier Beach days out there."