Jamal Crawford

At 44 years old, Jamal Crawford has this physical status:

Aaron Jamal Crawford (born March 20, 1980) is an American professional basketball player who competed for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association for the final time. (NBA)

He coached Rainier Beach High School to a state championship before deciding to play college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines.

On draft day, his NBA debut in 2000 was for the Chicago Bulls, who had drafted him from the Cavaliers.

He'll make his appearances for the Knicks and Warriors, Hawks, Blazers, Clippers, and Timberwolves later this season.

Crawford was the first three-time winner of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2010 and again in 2016.

Jamal Crawford is still the NBA all-time champion in four-point plays, with 55 or 60 counting in the playoffs.

Crawford, 39 years, 20 days), was the first player to score 50+ points in a game, as well as the first player to do so with four separate franchises.

Moreover, the 51-point tally was the most points scored by a player who wasn't in the starting lineup.

He is 27th in 50-point games earned (between George Mikan and Larry Bird) and seventh in career three-point field goals made (2,220).

In addition, Crawford is the second NBA player to have scored 10,000+ points off the bench in his career.

Personal life

On August 23, 2014, Crawford married Tori Lucas, his long-time girlfriend. Among those at his wedding were Clippers teammates Blake Griffin, Matt Barnes, Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and Spencer Hawes; also in attendance were NBA players Nate Robinson, a fellow Seattleite, and Isaiah Thomas, both from the Puget Sound area.

Crawford, a staple of the Seattle basketball scene, has arranged clandestine workouts around the region, attracting a revolving cast of elite-level participants that includes Zach Lavine and Kyrie Irving. Part of his legacy has been as a benefactor to his hometown. Crawford, as part of other charitable causes, offers a platform for local players to advance from amateur to professional in "The Crawsover" league. This Pro–am summer-league at Seattle Pacific University is one of the country's most coveted, yet admission is free. Chris Paul and Kevin Durant, two NBA All-Stars, have competed in the past.

Crawford appears in the music video for Seattle rapper Kid Sensation's "Feelin Myself"), EDawg, and Northwest DJ Nasty-Nes (Sir Mix-A-Lote), a.k.a. Hudson), and KUBE 93's DJ Royboy.

Source

High school career

Crawford was a student at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, a school that has produced a number of other NBA and college players, including Doug Christie, Nate Robinson, Terrence Williams, Kevin Porter Jr., and Dejounte Murray. The Vikings were the 1998 WATER (WIAA) State Championship, led by Jamal. Rainier Beach retired his number 23 jersey to commemorate his contributions in 2001, and the company in 2018 inducted him into the Hall of Fame to honor his legacy.

College career

Crawford, who earned a scholarship to the University of Michigan, committed to playing college basketball for the Wolverines under new head coach Brian Ellerbe. However, he was suspended from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for six games at the start of the 1999–00 season, though it later found that his high school living arrangements had violated the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) bylaws on amateurism. The university retaliated over the tense decision, but to no avail. Crawford stepped back in the starting lineup and went on to average 16.6 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 rebounds on the season after the suspension. Following his freshman campaign, he declared for the 2000 NBA draft.

Professional career

Crawford was drafted eighth overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers but was traded to the Chicago Bulls in a draft-day contract that included the rights to Chris Mihm. Crawford struggled with his shot in his first year as a Bull in 2000-2001, only 35.2 percent from the field. Despite this, the rookie was able to score in double-digits ten times. Across 61 games (8 starting), he averaged 4.6 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

Crawford was limited to 23 games (not starting) in his second NBA season, 2001-2002. Nonetheless, he gained 9.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in addition to converting 44.8 percent of his attempts from behind the arc.

Crawford emerged as a central face of coach Bill Cartwright's offense in his third campaign with the Bulls, 2002-03. His game averages have increased to 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1 steal in 80 games (31 games). With a 30–52 record, the Bulls will miss the playoffs.

It would be his last in Chicago during his fourth NBA season, 2003-2004. Crawford, who was promoted to starting shooting guard, averaged 17.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. In his third game as a Bull, he came away with 50 points against the Toronto Raptors on April 11, 2004. The Bulls won in overtime, 114–108, but not before Crawford made 6 three-pointers and scored 24 points in the fourth quarter alone. He and Jerome Williams were traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, Frank Williams, and Cezary Trybanski before the 2005-05 season.

Crawford played for the New York Knicks as part of a young and rebuilding team. He appeared in 70 games (67 games), 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest in his first year with the franchise, 2004-05. In several games, his scoring exceeded 20 points, including a major win over the Charlotte Bobcats on December 4, where he had 41 points on 17-of-25 shooting. The Knicks will fall short of the playoffs.

He took a reduced sixth man role in his second year in New York City, 2005-06 season, under head coach Larry Brown. Crawford did not grow to love the new role even though it took some time. Over 79 games (27 starting), he averaged 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. The Knicks finished last season at 23–59, just shy of the playoffs.

Larry Brown was fired as head coach by the Knicks in 2006-07, the team's fourth replacement of that position in three years. Crawford was limited to 59 games (36 games) as a result of an ACL injury; however, he averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists on the season.

He was put back in the starting lineup for all 80 games he played in 2007-08. He had 20.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Crawford was one of the few bright spots on January 26, 2007, with 16 of his shots made consecutively and 8 of his three-pointers falling short of the franchise record set in 2002 by Latrell Sprewell.

In 2008-09, he would play only 11 games for the Knicks before being traded to the Golden State Warriors in a trade for Al Harrington.

Crawford was a good candidate for coach Don Nelson's run-and-gun program, due to his three-point shooting and ball-handling skills, as well as court vision. He appeared in 54 games for the Warriors between 2008 and 2009, and began in each one. Crawford's averaged nearly 20 points per game as well as 4.4 assists and 1.5 rebounds. Crawford scored 50 points in a 110-103 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on December 20, 2008, making him the fourth player in NBA history, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King, and Moses Malone. The Atlanta Hawks acquired Crawford in a guard trade at the end of the season. Acie Law and Speedy Claxton were both drafted in a guard trade.

Crawford played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2009-2010. He made a three-point shot at the buzzer on January 15 to clinch a 102-101 victory over the Phoenix Suns. Crawford set a new NBA record for all four-point plays over the Los Angeles Clippers on February 3, 2010, defeating Reggie Miller for the first time in his career. Joe Johnson, a back-up All-Star guard, and Mike Bibby, 2 assists, averaged 18 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench. Crawford was a leading candidate for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2010 and was a leading contender. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Mike Bibby, Mike Bibby, and others qualified for the playoffs, but this was his first ride to the playoffs. In seven games, the Hawks will advance past the Milwaukee Bucks. Crawford led all scorers in a crucial game seven with 22 points. The team was then swept by the Orlando Magic with Prime Dwight Howard at the helm.

Larry Drew was fired by the Hawks in the 2010-11 season. Despite Crawford's being on the bench and saw his average decline from 2009-2010, he had a good season with 14.2 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. He was already in contention for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. The Hawks defeated the Orlando Magic in a close contest, but not before Crawford made the game-clinching three-pointer with six seconds remaining in Game 3. The Hawks advanced to the conference semifinals, but the Chicago Bulls were then eliminated in six games.

Crawford signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on December 15, 2011. Although leading the league in free throw percentage with a career-high 92.7 percent in the lockout-shortened season, he averaged nearly 14 points in 60 games.

Crawford joined the Los Angeles Clippers on July 11, 2012.

Crawford played in 76 games from 2012-2013, he had 16.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 29.3 minutes. He also took second place in the 2013 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, which was edged out by J. R. Smith. The Clippers were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies in six games in the first round of the playoffs. He averaged 10.8 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in the playoffs this year.

Crawford led the league's reserve players in scoring with 18.6 points per contest, as well as 2.3 assists and 2.3 rebounds in the 2013-14 season. In 45 of the 69 games he participated in, he came off the bench in 45 percent.

Crawford received the 2014 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, his second time winning the award. Crawford also helped the Clippers win with their best franchise record (57–25).

Crawford was suspended for a loose ball foul after being tangled with Suns' guard Eric Bledsoe at midcourt on December 8, 2014. Crawford received a technical as a result of his first-ever dismissal in his 976-game career after saying something to referee Mark Lindsay.

Crawford eclipsed 16,000 points during a victory over the Phoenix Suns on November 2, 2015. In a 101–96 victory over the Detroit Pistons, he scored a game-high 37 points on November 14. In a 114–111 overtime victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on January 10, 2016, he made his 46th four-point play of his career. In the Clippers' 102–99 overtime victory over the Utah Jazz, he made a three-pointer with 0.2 seconds left and finished with 30 points. For the third time in his career, he was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year on April 19. He broke his own record, which was established in 2014 as the oldest winner of the award at 36 years old.

Crawford re-signed with the Clippers on July 8, 2016. Crawford (1,962) defeated Vince Carter (1,961) for No. 2, making two of four three-pointers against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 2, 2016. On the NBA's all-time list for made three-pointers, there are 6 on the NBA's all-time list. Crawford, the sixth NBA player to reach 2,000 made three-pointers in the Clippers' 118–109 loss to the Toronto Raptors on February 6, 2017. Crawford was the sixth NBA player to reach 2,000 made three-pointers at the 2:06 mark in the second quarter of the Clippers' 118–109 loss to the Toronto Raptors on February 6, 2017. In the 2000 team, he joined Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Jason Terry, Vince Carter, and Paul Pierce. Eddie Johnson was also named for No. 1 during the game, beating him for No. 1. In his career, he ranks 2nd in NBA bench scoring. His score of 9,572 bench points is only behind Dell Curry's 11,147. He also surpassed Magic Johnson for his 74th career points scored. On February 11, he scored 22 points against Charlotte while shooting 5-of-8 on three-pointers. Crawford (2,009) later passed Vince Carter (2,006) for his fifth-most three-pointers made in NBA history.

Crawford and a first-round pick for the Atlanta Hawks on July 6, 2017 as part of a salary swap that opened the way to the trade of Danilo Gallinari from the Denver Nuggets. Crawford was waived by the Hawks the next day.

Crawford signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on July 19, 2017. Crawford played ten points in a 107-99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, marking their debutee for the Timberwolves in their season-opener on October 18, 2017. He scored all 17 of his points in the fourth quarter and made a 3-pointer with 27.5 seconds left to help the Timberwolves beat the Utah Jazz 100–97 in their home-opener. Crawford scored 108–107 in the fourth quarter, with 16 of them scoring in the fourth quarter. In a 93-92 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on March 30, 2018, he had a 24-point effort. Crawford received the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in June 2018.

Crawford signed with the Phoenix Suns on October 17, 2018. Crawford dished out a career-high 14 assists during a 128-110 victory over the New York Knicks on December 17. In a 119–113 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on January 6, 2019, he scored 16 points to join Dell Curry as the only NBA players to reach 11,000+ career points as a reserve. Crawford averaged 15.1 points per 36 minutes over the 2018–19 season, leading to a career-high of 6.8 assists. In their 19th or later seasons, only John Stockton has averaged more assists per 36 minutes in league history.

Crawford made NBA history by scoring 51 points in his fourth 50-point game to date on April 9, 2019. He also broke two NBA records: Michael Jordan, the oldest player to reach 50+ points since December 29, 2001, as well as the most points scored by a player not in the starting lineup, held by Nick Anderson with 50 points since April 23, 1993. Crawford shot 18-of-30 (60%) from the field, 7-of-13 (53.8%) from three-point range, and 8-of-9 (88.9%) from the free-throw line during the game. He had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block – all with 1 block coming off the bench. Phoenix was able to rally the team back into the game, scoring 12 points in succession and bringing the score to 107–103 with 3:39 minutes remaining in the third quarter, despite being down by up to 31. Crawford joined Kobe Bryant as the only players in league history to win three consecutive 25+ point games in their 19th season or later. He also became the first NBA player to score 50 points in a game against four different franchises.

The Brooklyn Nets announced on July 9, 2020, that they had signed Crawford as a substitute for the remainder of the 2019-20 season. Four Nets players opted out of the NBA revival in Orlando due to positive COVID-19 results, leading to Crawford's signing. Crawford was drafted by the Nets in Orlando to help out in the final eight games of the regular season and the first round of the post-season. In a 119–116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on August 4, 2020, he made his team debut on August 4, 2020, putting up 5 points and 3 assists in five minutes of action. Crawford not only became the 29th NBA player to play at least 20 years, but he also became the eighth NBA season to play at least 20 NBA seasons, joining Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant.

Crawford's debut as a Brooklyn Net on August 4, 2020, was his final NBA game ever, as he did not play for any team during the 2021–22 season and announced his retirement from the sport on March 21, 2022.

Broadcasting career

Quentin Richardson and Crawford became the first NBA League Pass game broadcaster in November 2021.

Source