After what was an unexpected exodus from the league, 3x NBA Sixth Man of the Year, Jamal Crawford, is not only back in the league but is being embraced by his new Brooklyn Nets teammates at the age of 40.
He will join the Nets in their NBA restart down in Orlando, carrying a bigger burden than normal, as Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Spencer Dinwiddie (their primary ball handlers) are sitting out.
It has been 468 days exactly since Crawford (also known as Jcrossover) has been in an actual NBA game, when he finished off last season with the Phoenix Suns. From his ballhandling abilities, to his scoring to his energy he’s always been an important piece of the teams he’s been on, so it was definitely was strange that he went unsigned this whole season pre-COVID-19.
What’s even more strange though is this fact considering his stats line from his last game in April of 2019. Crawford scored 51 points, dished out five assists and grabbed 5 rebounds. He was efficient too, shooting 60% FG and 53.8% 3FG. By the way, his 51 points broke Michael Jordan’s record for oldest player to score 50 points, which Jordan accomplished at age 38 in 2001.
So, why the lack of an NBA contract? We may never know but what we do know is that the dominant Sixth Man of the Year is happier than ever to be back.
“The organization, my teammates, the coaching staff, they’ve made me feel so welcome,” said Crawford. “I just got here obviously last week, but it feels like I’ve been here so much longer with the way they’ve really taken me in and allowed me be a part of it. So, practices have been going well, spending time with them been going well, it’s been a blessing.”
Like any other NBA free agent in this situation, experiencing days, weeks and months with no phone rings from any franchises, it’s normal for doubt and worry to creep in. Ask Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith just to name a couple. However, just like those two, Crawford never lost hope.
“To be honest with you, I went through a range of emotions,” Crawford said. “I was frustrated at the beginning. I didn’t understand. I didn’t know what happened. I was like, ‘Well character-wise, I just won teammate of the year,’ so I think that part’s solid as far as being in the locker room. Obviously, I had a different role as far as leadership last year, but when the time came, like, ‘Hey, go play,’ I was able to go still show I can play at a high level, so I didn’t understand it.” “But at that point, I just took it the other way, I was like, ‘If God said your last game is a 51-point game off the bench, then that’s a heckuva exit.’ So, I try to find the peace within that, and I got a chance to spend time with my family. But I’m so happy to be back.”
