As Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens points for him to enter the game, he launches himself from the bench and bolts to the scorers table. As the fans scream their approval, he acknowleges them by removing his T-shirt and tossing it into the crowd. When a stoppage in play finally allows him to enter the game, he's introduced not by his name -- but by his nickname: "Now entering the game for the Raptors," the PA announcer screams, "the Junk --Yard -- Dog!"

While Vince Carter, Antonio Davis and Alvin Williams get credited for shouldering the load for the Raptors, the Junk Yard Dog -- Jerome Williams -- has emerged as maybe the biggest reason why the Raptors are in tonight's deciding Game 5 against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Chained to the Toronto bench in Game 1, the 6'9" forward -- we'll came him JYD for short -- lobbied through the media for more minutes. Apparently, Wilkens heard him barking. By Game 2, JYD was back in action -- and by Game 4 he was on the court for 28 minutes, getting eight points and five rebounds while playing great defense on everyone from Marcus Camby to Latrell Sprewell. The Dog Pound, his legion of fans scattered through Air Canada Centre, loved it.

A late first-round pick by Detroit in 1996, JYD may be the NBA's best in terms of selling himself. He's approachable to fans, taking the time to slap five and converse with the crowd. He plays with a passion, a style that's infectious to both teammates and fans. He treats his community-service obligations with a passion, rather than as a commitment. And like that guy with the multicolored afro wig who used to pop up at every major sporting event, JYD gets himself to every major NBA showcase. Remember All-Star game 2001 in D.C.? Yes, that was Williams slapping five and leading cheers from the Eastern Conference bench.

"There's 10,000 guys who can run, dunk and get a rebound like me -- but they might not be able to entertain, or carry a good sentence," JYD says. "If you do the things like I do, your stock will go up. With so much competing for their dollar, fans pay big money to come to games to be entertained, not just to watch basketball. That's why they pay me the first and the 15th of every month -- to be an entertainer."

By this summer, JYD's actions should pay off. He'll be a free agent in July, and don't think for a second opposing coaches and GMs haven't come to appreciate his act and willingness to embrace fans. And, of course, his skill as a basketball player. "You just can't pump people up, then come out and play like a sucker," JYD says. "You have to back it up. When I get on the court I back it up, and do it in a way that gets my teammates fired up."

He definitely has Toronto fired up. After Wednesday's win over the Knicks, JYD took in a late dinner at Muse, the favorite after-game dining spot for Raptors players. And while Charles Oakley and Chris Childs were among the higher-profile people in the house, it was the entrance of Williams that generated the most response, with one woman screaming "Great game, JYD!"

Tonight, JYD will need to make another solid contribution, against a Knicks team that plays its best ball with its backs to the wall. And in a building, Madison Square Garden, where the fans just might bite back.

"We're ready for anything," JYD says. "We feel if we play with the same energy, there's no reason why we won't have a shot to advance."

He just might make the difference.

Jerry Bembry is covering the NBA playoffs for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail jerry.bembry@espnmag.com.