The Seduction: Starring Jamal Crawford
Why is it that everytime I think of Jamal Crawford I get childhood pop culture flashbacks? I’ve always felt like I missed out growing up as a teen in the 1980’s. Besides the glaring exceptions of hip-hop’s emergence, the NBA, and Platoon, the 1980’s seem like pop culture’s most forgettable decade in terms of music, movies, and other creative cultural expression — sports included. But that could be a whole other column. Anyway, for better or worse, watching Jamal Crawford — born in 1980 — brings me back there. And not all of the best parts either. Here’s to viewing the NBA’s greatest tease through ’80’s cheese — with a couple of exceptions…
"About Last Night": Did you catch Friday night’s Knick game? Jamal had the stroke going again as he dropped a season-high 43 on the Raptors in a close Knicks win. Most points came through an array long range jumpers from at least 16 feet out from various angles and spots on the floor including another vintage Jamal 20 point quarter. Had he not settled for 3-point shots in the 4th quarter, and he could have easily had 50+ points – again. Like he did once before to the Raptors while a member of the Chicago Bulls, and like he did last year against the Miami Heat.
The Seduction (triple Velveeta): … It happened January 26, 2007 in a 52 point night that included the greatest shooting zone that I have ever witnessed (see video for yourself). Better than any Bernard King gem, better than MJ’s 63, and arguably more impressive than Kobe’s 81 (hear me out!). By the middle of the 2nd quarter Jamal had only 6 points — then he went unconscious posting 40 in the next quarter-and-a half. For the mathematically-challenged, that’s 40 points in 18 minutes. But it wasn’t just the 14 consecutive shots (of 16 in a row), but it was the degree of difficulty that was the most incredible part of the performance. There were no “gimmes” or dunks, only two lay-ups, and merely three foul shots. In between there was a collection off-balance 20 footers, mid-range fade-aways, and a slew of 3-point bombs that even included a 4-point play. The Knick bench went wild, the Knick fans went wild, and I called up every friend midway through the game to turn on their TV. Want a fun fact? Crawford actually scored 23 in the 4th quarter in his previous game, so over a 49 minute period going mid-4th quarter across both games, he drained 75 points! Jamal can spell K-O-B-E on any random night. And he can make fans delusional enough to think that Kobe might show up tomorrow. But unlike Mr. Bryant, you really don’t want to take him home to mother.
Bette Davis Eyes: "He’ll tease you. He’ll unease you. All the better just to please you. He’s precocious. And he knows just what it takes to make a pro blush"… Don’t believe me? Check out these crazy shake-and-bakes, killer crossovers, and sick ankle breakers like this one on Deron Williams… or this on Kirk Hinrich… or this one on D-Wade… or this one on Ben Gordon. What about this self-back board pass, this circus-shot, or some of these clutch game-winners. If the NBA gave out style points, Crawford would be a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. Because it doesn’t, Jamal is one of the hardest players to have a conversation about with fans who are blinded by the light-ening quick crossover. Loyal Jamal fans tend to forget his last brickfest faster than he forgets his last brick. They also tend to forget that he takes horrible shots, the ball stops moving on the perimeter when he gets it, and the opposing defense stops moving along with it (see Zach Randolph for frontcourt version). He doesn’t drive and get to the line nearly enough for a shooting guard who is not a pure shooter.
Easy Lover: “You’re the one that wants to hold her. Hold her and control her. You’d better forget it. You’ll never get it.”… Jamal may be an easy lover, but waiting for the next mind-blowing one-night-stand comes at a price. Whether you get "Crawsome" or "Crawful" is pure crap shoot. No rhyme or reason to it. Besides that Miami game, last year brought multi-game stretches of 7 -39, 8 – 35, and 9 – 34. This is why he is known as one of the NBA’s streakiest shooters. But yearly statistics tell another story. Beginning with his very first full season with the Chicago Bulls in 2002-03, Crawford’s field goal % has been 41%, 39%, 40%, 41.6%, and 40%. This year? Big surprise: It’s 41.2%. This ranks #27 amongst shooting guards and #56 for all guards[1]. He just may be the most consistently inconsistent shooter in the league. Or is that inconsistently consistent? Either way, after 82 games, you know exactly what you’re getting: a low percentage shooter who doesn’t make up for it by getting to the line, by playing tough defense, or by limiting his mistakes (2.7 turnovers pg). And for a starting shooting guard that formula is rarely a winning one. Bottom line: Jamal has hit his ceiling. His 41% does not represent an "off year". If Crawford’s game, shot selection, and shooting percentage has not improved thus far, we’d better forget it. We’ll never get it.
Wild Wild West (hold the cheese; pure classic!): "He lives downtown - on 33rd Street. Garden - everything’s upbeat. Just like - ball in the park. Nothing - but chucks after dark"... Have you ever been in a restaurant or a public place, saw young children wreaking havoc, and were angry with the parents inability to corral their own kids? Meet Coach Isiah Thomas. If Jamal is red hot, he rightfully stays in the game. If he is ice cold, he still stays in the game. If Jamal plays no D , he stays in. If another young Knick misses one defensive assignment, he’s back to the bench. If Jamal is hot, he shoots the last shot. If he is not, he still shoots the last shot (top of the key isolation - write it down). But doesn’t Jamal have a Knicks history of hitting clutch shots and game winners? Well, yes. But a big part of the reason is that he is always the guy who has the ball in his hands come crunch time.
StopMikeLupica (via 82 Games Clutch Stats) tells us that Jamal is shooting a paltry 26% in the clutch this year. Perhaps the best example is the Knicks overtime loss against Portland where Jamal missed his last 12 shots which included launching regulation’s final three shots. Of course, that occurence is on Isiah. It is also on Isiah that when Stephon Marbury – a superior distributor and promoter of ball movement — was playing, Isiah had Crawford splitting time at the point. After Marbury’s injury Crawford still splits time instead of making a greater commitment to developing the point skills of Nate Robinson or Mardy Collins during a season going nowhere. Isiah loves Jamal, but just refuses to coach him. He will not maximize his strengths or minimize his weaknesses. Rooting for a Knick victory has been often reduced to hoping that Jamal gets hot that night.
Jamal will not be ignored. Sandwiched by Allen Iverson and Lebron James, Crawford is second in the NBA in minutes per game this year. However, his DNA screams “6th man of the year”. Ben Gordon does it. JR Smith does it. And it won’t stop their hot streaks either. Gordon and Smith combined for 80 points in the same game on Friday night. If world champion Manu Ginobili can do it, why not Jamal? If anyone knows the difference between having a "streaky" vs. "steady" back court teammate, it is Isiah. Crawford is more Vinnie Johnson, but coach plays him like Joe Dumars. If used properly, Jamal can be a great asset to a winning team. But as long as Madison Square Garden is allowed to be his personal playground, the Knicks will not only not win, but won’t develop young talent along the way. At the end of the day, after all the sublime one-night stands, jaw dropping crossovers, and impossible off-balance jumpers, Jamal is still a 41% gunner who can barely stop his opponent. To accept that guy as the star of your team could only end up a Fatal Attraction.
[1] See Hollinger’s Field Goal Leaders: Note: Jamal’s FG% actually ranks lower, but in fairness any player who did not play a minimum of 25 minutes was eliminated from the list.
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MODI, that was a brilliant piece. You oughta get paid for this. Keep poundin em out. It’ll happen.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:28 amMODI- That game against the Heat was brilliant, but when Crawful averages over 30 a game IN THE PLAYOFFS WITH DISLOCATED FINGERS ON EACH HAND, then we will talk about how ONE GAME tops some of Bernard’s greatest playoff ones.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:45 amMODI,
You forgot about that Prince song ” Irresistable Bitch “.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:14 amModi,
Great piece. I have always believed that Jamal does not understand his strengths or weaknesses. As opposed to launching fadeway 3-pt shots, Jamal would have a higher percentage if he concentrated on the mid-range game, similar to Rip Hamilton. His medium jumper appears more consistent than the long-range fade-aways. Missing 10-3pters,(6 for 16) in a close game is abominable.
Unlike Rip, Jamal does not move well w/o the ball (that’s why he could not play w/ Steph), and when the ball is not in his hands he does not offer anything else. You call him a backcourt Zach, but I disagree. He is the equivalent of a back-court Curry. Like Curry, Crawful does one thing and one thing only,(shoot), Zach will shoot & rebound.
Finally, I believe his ball-hogging has contributed to the slow development of Balk, and sub-par year from DLee. These guys are at their best when slashing to the basket. Crawful the high-volume shooter is preparing to launch as these guys are going to the basket and his inability
to give up the rock, results in wasted trips for the knicks on the offensive end.
Crawful is this decade Duran Duran/Millie Vanilli, a lot of style but very little substance.
Peace & Blessings
February 25th, 2008 at 11:30 amI’ve been bashing this dude for months. The streaky shooting just doesn’t work for me. If he’s coming off the bench with a highly structured playoff team, he’d be a legit threat, but from what I can see, he needs to spend more time on the art of the game.
He just doesn’t get it - and me be too naturally gifted to ever get it - until his legs go and he has to score without being explosive.
TRADE, TRADE, TRADE before TIRADE, TIRADE, TIRADE. There’s no ‘i’ in team or trade, but there damn sure is an ‘i’ in a host of colorful expletives I can conjure. I’ll spare you, just as Crawford should spare us.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:22 pmOK, fine. But what do you make of this?
http://www.82games.com/barzilai2.htm
Adjusted plus-minus appears to be a very reliable stat, which is borne out by the other leaders in that stat in the NBA. Crawford appears to be doing something right.
February 25th, 2008 at 1:09 pmhe could just be ON THE FLOOR when Curry or Zach sits and the defense picks up…he plays the whole game. my point isn’t that he’s a scrub (totally), it’s that he’s a seriously flawed player with tremendous flashes. i wholly agree with modi on this one…it’s never been said better. guys who tantalize like this never pan out because the fundamentals are missing.
i’d love to be wrong about crawford, but that 14.9 PER on that chart you’ve posted says it all. his plus/minus number could be a reflection of what mr. modi has been crying about all season long…the zach/eddie blues.
what say you, kool mo-di?
February 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pmAdjusted plus minus actually factors that all in.
I like the PER ranking as well, but it has imperfections too.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:33 pmI think Jamal is a top 5 player in the NBA even though he doesn’t play defense or shoot from anywhere closer than 18 feet. He should of been a n All STar for sure. The Knicks will be in the Playoffs, you heard it hear first.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:41 pmGo team.
Marc R:
Okay. Works for me.
I’m like Modi. I love watching the guy when he’s on his game. He went to Michigan like I did - so I have an added superfluous reason to wish him success - but he’s killing me. I can’t have my son watching that cat.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:09 pmTop 5 of Michigan alums who left school early - but that’s about it.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:11 pmThat’s a perfect description of Jamal.
I’ve been a fan since he unveiled that crossover at Michigan. But, I think his time in the Chi effed up his game permanently.
He has all the talent in the world, but as you pointed out, it has never been harnessed.
Compare Jamal to Kevin Martin and you see what good attention to detail can do for a player’s game. Kevin Martin is one of the smartest players in the game and if Jamal was half as smart he would be unstoppable.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pmI’m very, very disappointed by the stagnation of Jamal’s game.
Isiah is a decent GM, but he is a horrible, horrible coach.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:03 pm– Folly - thanks.
– Jimmy, I don’t have Bernard and jamal in the same universe. I am just talking one single game. Bernard is royalty in my book.
– Des, how did I miss that!
– States, nice observations. I couldn’t agree more with you about how Jamal could be more like rip if he were only more disciplined. …I say more Zach than Curry because of the ball-stopping on the perimeter and the low shooting %. For all of Curry’s flaws, shooting % is not one of them. …completely agree that jamal stunts Balk and Lee… may I add Mardy and Nate too… I think Duran/Duran (Wild Boys?) fits well. I thought Milli Vanilli was a bit harsh!!!
– Allen, completely agree on the Isiah asessment. the sad thing is that he has sabotaged himself.
– Temple, …”I can’t have my son watching that cat” LOL!!! …I still have hope for Jamal with A NEW COACH. But I believe Isiah overvalues Jamal and would probably not allow a good trade (I think I read at SML that he already pulled jamal off the table in a Vince Carter scenario)
February 25th, 2008 at 7:53 pmMarc, thanks for that very interesting link. Here is my best take on it. I consider his inclusion a formula glitch. Besides the good point on PER that Temple makes, it is worth noting that Jamal has BY FAR AND AWAY the largest on court negative (-5.9) than any other player on that list. But somehow he still makes the list.
Why? Because this formula heavily adjusts for the off-court negative where it is a huge (-11.5) in Jamal’s case. The off-court negative has also helped Rafer Alston, Mike Dunleavy, and Corey Maggette to make this list and catapulted Antawn Jamison (-17.5! Wow!) to the very top of the list behind Nash. Now I have always had had a problem with the “off-court negative” stat in some particular cases. It is often a commentary of a couple of other factors:
Glitch #1) the quality of the back-up at your position. A good example is Steve Nash. He has has always benefitted from the stat because the SUNS haven’t had a decent back-up at PG for his entire time there. That makes the drop-off so much worse when he sits. In fact, many pointed to this very stat when selecting Nash over Shaq for MVP. But when Shaq came out of the game, Alonzo Mourning would come in for him… big difference. I think that this is the case in why Jamison and Rafer Alston soared on this list — no replacement whatsoever at their positions.
Glitch #2) A one-on-one player leading an offense: The Knicks don’t actually run any freakin plays! Marbury is the only guy who knows how to control an offense and he is out, and not used properly while in. It is either dump it down low or have Jamal or Nate take their man off the dribble. When an offense is focused around one-on-one play, when their best one-on-one player goes to the bench, the rest of the team does not know what the hell to do with themselves. The other guys just got used to watching Jamal. Jamal — like Corey Magette — is a “bail out” player reliant on superior athleticism. But good teams who practice team basketball don’t need bail outs because they are already developed AS A TEAM! It is no surprise that the Knicks would suffer worse when he sits down. It is time for Isiah to run some actual plays.
There are a couple of other glitches, but those are the big two.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:59 pmGreat Piece Modi! Quite entertainting and you’re right, he’s got Betty Davis Eyes,dum,dum, dum,dum,dum,dum, dum,dum…..Clap Clap…LOL
February 25th, 2008 at 10:20 pmJamal could probably raise his shooting percentages up if he would just take that pack of cigarettes out of his shirt sleeve. I expect him any day now to pull a square out and wedge it in his ear.
Now that’s old school.
February 26th, 2008 at 12:57 amMODI- Bernard’s 40 something game against the Celtics in the ‘84 playoffs at MSG with both fingers dislocated in both hands was the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed. Watching Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell intentionally swipe at Bernard’s hands was also the crummiest thing I have ever seen. I was talking one game as well. Great 50 point game, but doesn’t compare to that performance.
February 26th, 2008 at 3:03 amhttp://www2.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba/players/Jamal_Crawford
Scouting Report
At 6-5, Crawford has the size to shoot over most point guards. He has steadily improved his game over the years and is a solid shooter from both the perimeter and the free-throw line.
Crawford is HOT
27.7 ppg, 46.8 FG% in last 3
NUFF SAID—About him not starting go here:
www.anti-nysportsnews.blogspot.com
February 26th, 2008 at 12:04 pm– JB,LOL!
– Jimmy, I might take Bernard’s game 5 “Showdown at Motown” over Isiah as BK’s playoff best…
– Anti, the scouting report is innacurate. If Jamal could shoot 46.8% for the season, I’d be his #1 fan. I’d still be a great fan if he knocked down 44% for the year. Believe me, I’ve been waiting for it. All it takes is less off balance 3’s and 20 footes and more driving to the hole. But he just won’t do it. And his coach won’t coach him to do it.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pm[…] Cosellout on Jamal Crawford […]
February 26th, 2008 at 4:49 pmMODI- That was great, but what BK did against Maxwell and McHale was more impressive. I doubt we will ever see a SF as great as Bernard wear a Knick jersey. I’m still waiting…..
February 27th, 2008 at 1:12 amMODI,
How’s that humble pie post you talked about back on Jan 3 coming?
February 27th, 2008 at 3:31 pmDaemon, I am sure that you think that I am being stubborn, but I believe the Knicks have a .500 team if coached properly. My humble pie column is predicated on him playing the right line-ups — something he has not done all season. I believe isiah has turned in the worst coaching performance that i have ever witnessed.
I still think he did a good job GM wise (not great), but messed up all the progress with the Zach trade.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:36 pmThe worst ever witnessed? That’s going a little far. I actually would give that award to Larry Brown in his first season. He openly quit on his players while taking repeated swipes at them in the media. That’s low down.
Come on, Isiah might be top five for you, but not the worst.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:53 pmFair enough Allen, I am fine calling the Larry Brown fiasco a tie! I only separate that tie because I am convinced that Larry Brown was tanking games… I don’t think that Isiah is…Isiah
March 1st, 2008 at 12:23 amModi,
The last 5 games have been a microcosom of Crawful’s pro/knick career. Crawful has averaged over 26 points. His shooting percentage during this time is 45/107 or 42%. Jamal has taken 41 3-pt shots for an average of 8 per game. A lot of his shots have been off-balance fadeaways. This guy has to be limited if the knicks are to become winners. Someone has to get this guy under
control.
Peace & Blessings
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:05 pmstates, that 7-24 night where he kept turning it over and throwing bricks down the stretch was downright Crawful (which Knicks Defense adequately covered). I know that i sound like a broken record but how on earth does he get to handle the ball down the stretch? Why does a coach exist?
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:37 pmMODI- That’s why Isiah needs to go. He needs to defend the Crawful contract and he needs to justify the Curry one, although he has come to the conclusion that he can’t cut it. What a JOKE Crawful was at the end of the game tonight. It’s amazing how the fans are so SUCKERED by Crawful’s BS game. CRAWFUL has to be REMOVED from this team. He is a cancer ON the court. He doesn’t play defense, he doesn’t create shots for others and his game is predicated on HOGGING. A total disgrace of a player in my eyes. I actually am enjoying him go up in smoke time and time again. As Marbury’s #1 supporter, I can’t get enough of CRAWFUL fucking up games.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 pmTotally agree with Stateman’s posts. But, great job Modi on assembling the highlights. (That said, Crawford didn’t finish after breaking Wade’s ankles - how does that become a highlight? And a carry against Ben Gordon.) Great for And 1 but not for the NBA. Needs real coaching.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:16 am“And a carry against Ben Gordon.”
Wex, like Iverson it is pretty much a carry EVERY time on the crossover. he basically gets called for one or two carries every game… needs real coaching indeed…
March 4th, 2008 at 9:18 pm[…] …Knicks ball again, missed calls again, Chris Paul again. […]
August 20th, 2008 at 2:46 pm[…] JAMAL: Okay, I’ve seen this movie before. It’s called “The Seduction: Starring Jamal Crawford”. Fellow Knick fans say that I’m cynical, that Jamal was made to thrive in […]
November 13th, 2008 at 6:26 am[…] Stock is High: I’ve said it many times, and I will say it again: Jamal Crawford is the biggest tease in all of basketball. He is the most inconsistently consistent player to ever suit up. There will be Kobe Bryant-like […]
November 21st, 2008 at 5:08 pm