Jamal Crawford is back in the NBA, it’s about time!
The Brooklyn Nets have signed Crawford as a Substitute Player for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Terms of the deal , per team policy, were not released.
Crawford was originally selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft by Cleveland before having his draft rights traded to Chicago. He spent one year (1999-00) at the University of Michigan prior to embarking on his NBA career.
Crawford, across 19 NBA seasons, has played for eight teams. His career averages are 14.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 29.4 minutes per game. Crawford is a 41.0 percent shooter from the field, he’s 34.8 percent from 3-point range. He’s money from the foul line with an 86.2 percentage making free throws.
Crawford last appeared in an NBA game in the 2018-19 regular season finale with the Phoenix Suns. In that game, he dropped 51 points on the Dallas Maverick; becoming the the oldest player in NBA history, at 39 years old, to record a 50-point game.
He’s the only player to register a 50-point game for four different teams.
Anthony’s Take:
Signing Jamal Crawford was a no-brainer for the Nets.
When the NBA regular season resumes in Orlando, the Nets will have eight games to hold on to their playoff spot. Brooklyn holds a half-game lead over the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. The Nets and Magic, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the East, are both trying to hold off the Washington Wizards.
Crawford fills multiple needs for this team, the obvious one is he’s a healthy body. Spencer Dinwiddie, DeAndre Jordan, and Taurean Prince were ruled out for the season restart after all three tested positive for coronavirus. Wilson Chandler, citing family obligations, did not make the trip. Crawford isn’t just another body on the roster, the Nets are going to need what he brings to the court.
And that’s experience – 20 NBA seasons and eight postseason appearances. The eight regular season games will have playoff-implications, Crawford’s presence will be a calming influence on the younger players.
I believe great things come to those with great energy. Jamal Crawford has patiently been waiting in the free agent pool for an opportunity. Meanwhile, his energy on social media is always uplifting and positive. The Nets are getting a veteran player, respected by his peers, and hungry to play NBA basketball again.
