Good article about Jordan Crawford

[paulxu]

Since we had a "scathing article" about Crawford, I thought it would be good (since I am hoping he does well) to provide an example of the other side.
Early in the season, team has lost Garnett, Pierce (Allen the year before) and Rondo is hurt.
Brand new coach who has never been in the NBA. That all equals a recipe for seeking the #1 pick in next year's draft.

But the Celtics are in there clawing early in the year. I generally could care less about them, but have had fun following Crawford, hoping he would turn it around and make Xavier proud.

It seems like he is at least trying (until he posts something crazy or goes off the deep end). From ESPN Boston after last nights win over the Miami Heat (!):


STEEZ PLEASES: Stevens called Jordan Crawford a "calming presence" during the fourth quarter of Wednesday's win over the Utah Jazz. On Friday, Crawford's late-game actions left Stevens suggesting he was "the most excited I've been since I moved to Boston."


Crawford was a team-best plus-11 in plus/minus, turning in 13 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds

Tell me you ever thought Jordan Crawford would be call a "calming presence" by a coach.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/

[Masterofreality]

I never saw Jordan Crawford as a negative influence (see Mark Lyons). The guy was a player, and always wanted to take the big shot, but what some may have seen as selfish, I saw as confidence. CMack did have to rein him in early, however, after the games in Orlando and the benching at the SucKS game sent a message that Jordan received. His NCAA Tournament performance was outstanding and team leading.

Good for him. Maturity is a wonderful thing.

[Muskied]

I never saw Jordan Crawford as a negative influence (see Mark Lyons). The guy was a player, and always wanted to take the big shot, but what some may have seen as selfish, I saw as confidence. CMack did have to rein him in early, however, after the games in Orlando and the benching at the SucKS game sent a message that Jordan received. His NCAA Tournament performance was outstanding and team leading.

Good for him. Maturity is a wonderful thing.

The only negative I really saw in Jordan is that he really wasn't into being a student athlete......and really, what's wrong with that. some of our most celebrated athletes never started college. He is a quiet guy of court, and I think people classify that as an extension of his arrogance. I think he was always just trying to overcome that reserved side by being demonstrative on the floor. I think people unfairly group he, Lyons and holloway together, and at the end of the day, he may have been the most dominant and exciting player to have ever played...and we barely had the chance to know him. I'm thrilled for his new opportunity....hopefully he lasts through the celtics rebuild.

[XU-PA]

5th on the team in scoring in shorter minutes than most of the scoring leaders. tied for 1st in apg 4th in fg%, 2nd in 3 point %. assist to turnover per game 3.4 to 1.4.
The good news is that he has worked his way into the starting lineup. Granted the Celtics are not going anywhere this year, but he is making them a better team.

[Muskie]

I never saw him as a negative. I did see him as a guy that took too many contested shots when there were better looks available.

[XU-PA]

This will give you the blog post with Stevens talking about JC.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4708086/the-excellence-of-execution#more

and it's 3 straight now since Crawford became a starter

[bobbiemcgee]

He looked great against the Magic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0greZW_uFkM

[Xpectations]

I never saw him as a negative. I did see him as a guy that took to many contested shots when there were better looks available.

Completely agree with this. Jordan was a huge net positive in his time at XU.

The only things keeping Jordan from being a potential star in the NBA are Defense and Decisions.

He needs to really crank up the effort and intensity on defense--night in and night out. He also needs to make better decisions more consistently when the ball's in his hands.

One thing he's not short on is talent. And that you can't teach at this point. It's all up to him.

[Bulldawg]

The only negative I really saw in Jordan is that he really wasn't into being a student athlete......and really, what's wrong with that. some of our most celebrated athletes never started college. He is a quiet guy of court, and I think people classify that as an extension of his arrogance. I think he was always just trying to overcome that reserved side by being demonstrative on the floor. I think people unfairly group he, Lyons and holloway together, and at the end of the day, he may have been the most dominant and exciting player to have ever played...and we barely had the chance to know him. I'm thrilled for his new opportunity....hopefully he lasts through the celtics rebuild.

Just a question as a Butler fan, what happened to Holloway? I remember before the Cincinnati game that year he was supposed to be one of the greatest players in the country, did he just fall off the board after that season?

[XUFan09]

Holloway is over in Europe now. He got a couple looks by NBA teams, but physically he didn't match up well on that level. Short and not too athletic.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[THRILLHOUSE]

nice piece on the Celtics website about Crawford's court vision: http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/crawford-bradley-excel-duo-backcourt

[Muskie]

Just a question as a Butler fan, what happened to Holloway? I remember before the Cincinnati game that year he was supposed to be one of the greatest players in the country, did he just fall off the board after that season?



2011-12
Xavier
34
34
36.7
17.5ppg
3.6rpg
4.9 apg
1.5stpg
0.1
3.0 t/o
2.2
.429
.346
.862




Had a good senior season (though just a tick less productive than his Junior Season). After the UC game he got virtually no media attention even though he had a great season.

[Emp]

Crawford had 10 assists Monday in a double double, a line I never dreamed of seeing. I've always liked Stevens, but if he can make an NBA point guard out of Jordan Crawford, he deserves the big bucks.

My nephew, an assistant at Golden State, surprised me by predicting Stevens would be a top ten NBA coach in 2 or 3 seasons, and was a very good fit in Boston(where he had interned as vid coordinator for two seasons.)

[Xavier]

Crawford had 10 assists Monday in a double double, a line I never dreamed of seeing. I've always liked Stevens, but if he can make an NBA point guard out of Jordan Crawford, he deserves the big bucks.

My nephew, an assistant at Golden State, surprised me by predicting Stevens would be a top ten NBA coach in 2 or 3 seasons, and was a very good fit in Boston(where he had interned as vid coordinator for two seasons.)

Stevens is a great coach. You don't get to back to back National championship games at Butler without having a heck of a coach. I think he will be in the NBA for a long time.

[XUFan09]

Stevens is a great coach. You don't get to back to back National championship games at Butler without having a heck of a coach. I think he will be in the NBA for a long time.

No one is arguing that he isn't a good coach in general. The NBA is just a different animal, so coaching ability doesn't always translate well (and that probably goes vice versa). Rick Pitino and John Calipari have done great in college ball but were not successful in their NBA stints, and it wasn't unreasonable to expect the same result with Stevens, especially since his college players were generally very different from your average NBA player.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[More Cowbell]

So far this year, JC is tied with Kyrie Irving in EWA and PER. If he can keep this up, he is in line for a pretty good deal.

[A10fan]

No one is arguing that he isn't a good coach in general. The NBA is just a different animal, so coaching ability doesn't always translate well (and that probably goes vice versa). Rick Pitino and John Calipari have done great in college ball but were not successful in their NBA stints, and it wasn't unreasonable to expect the same result with Stevens, especially since his college players were generally very different from your average NBA player.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

I think you have it backwards 09. Pitino and Calipari were GREAT recruiters. They won with more talent on the court. Stevens showed that he can win with less talent. That, to me, is the difference. I will give Pitino credit for this past Louisville team but his KY teams were always loaded.

[crolfes12]

Simmons has some love for Crawford, btw he is a big time Boston sports fanatic. Good to see Crawford getting praise from even the fans up east

Bill Simmons ‏@BillSimmons 48m
Dear contenders: here's your official "Trade For Jordan Crawford, Make Him Your Heat Check Bench Guy" YouTube mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t47oQ_8EN8w …

[XUFan09]

I think you have it backwards 09. Pitino and Calipari were GREAT recruiters. They won with more talent on the court. Stevens showed that he can win with less talent. That, to me, is the difference. I will give Pitino credit for this past Louisville team but his KY teams were always loaded.

Steve Lavin is a great recruiter. Brian Gregory is a great recruiter. Rick Pitino and John Calipari are great college coaches (a job which includes recruiting in a big way).

I don't understand the whole, "Well, that team was loaded," in reference to a championship team. Of course the team was loaded. How many championship teams aren't? Even Stevens' first Final Four team, the one that didn't benefit from an unusually high string of luck [insert PMI rant here], had an NBA lottery pick, one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, and some great to good college players.

[XUFan09]

By the way, for us Xavier fans, one of the things that makes Mack a really good coach is how good of a recruiter he has been overall. He has brought some real talent together.

[mistabeecee41]

Simmons has some love for Crawford, btw he is a big time Boston sports fanatic. Good to see Crawford getting praise from even the fans up east

Bill Simmons ‏@BillSimmons 48m
Dear contenders: here's your official "Trade For Jordan Crawford, Make Him Your Heat Check Bench Guy" YouTube mix.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t47oQ_8EN8w …

i think he's being sarcastic. check his earlier tweets regarding gerald wallace.

[SixFig]

25 points on an efficient 8-14 shooting for Jordan. He is finally coming around.

Props to him.

[mistabeecee41]

25 points on an efficient 8-14 shooting for Jordan. He is finally coming around.

Props to him.

He's playing extremely well right now. The question is how will he handle the return of Rondo. He's playing 30+ minutes a night and has the ball in his hands a lot right now. Hope he doesn't revert to some of his old ways when he's playing 15 minutes a game and gets less touches.

[Muskie]

Trap Question: is Jordan maturing as an NBA player or is related to coaching.

[THRILLHOUSE]

another positive article from the Boston Herald: http://bostonherald.com/sports/celtics_nba/boston_celtics/2013/12/jordan_crawford_s_a_big_shot

[THRILLHOUSE]

Jordan Crawford - NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week

http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=14899

[paulxu]

From "scathing" article to POW. Nice turnaround.

[X-band '01]

Trap Question: is Jordan maturing as an NBA player or is related to coaching.

If you look at the clusterfaak that is the NBA Atlantic Division right now, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Crawford helps lead Boston back to the playoffs this year. I know they were supposed to be in rebuilding mode, but New York and Brooklyn want the first pick in the 2014 Draft a helluva lot worse than Boston does at this point. Even Philly and Toronto are playoff contenders compared to the above 2 teams.

[XUFan09]

You're right, that division is just awful. Aren't they in 1st place at 9-12?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[Juice]

If you look at the clusterfaak that is the NBA Atlantic Division right now, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Crawford helps lead Boston back to the playoffs this year. I know they were supposed to be in rebuilding mode, but New York and Brooklyn want the first pick in the 2014 Draft a helluva lot worse than Boston does at this point. Even Philly and Toronto are playoff contenders compared to the above 2 teams.

The Nets don't have a first round pick for a few years. That being said, they do suck.

[XUFan09]

Actually, the whole EasternConference is just particularly bad so far this season. Here's a challenge: Name the third best team in the East after the first quarter of the season. Unless you go with the 11-10 Hawks, which sub-.500 team do you pick?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[X-band '01]

Damn, I didn't know Atlanta was over .500 without looking at the standings. Indiana and Miami have REALLY separated from the rest of the pack, but there have been a lot of interconference games played in the first quarter of the standings. Needless to say the West is pistol-whipping the East right now.

[GuyFawkes38]

Not sure if anyone else posted this, but here's a nice grantland article on Crawford:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/85804/courtvision-the-jordan-rules

[GoMuskies]

Bad Jordan is back in display during the Boston's current 9 game losing streak. He's managed to dish out assists at a pretty good clip, still, but he's shooting horribly.

[XUFan09]

Bad Jordan is back in display during the Boston's current 9 game losing streak. He's managed to dish out assists at a pretty good clip, still, but he's shooting horribly.

Poor shot selection or just a slump?

[GoMuskies]

I'm just looking at boxscores. If the Celtics just could have kept it together for a few more weeks, they'd have had Rondo back and a reals shot at the playoffs as bas as the East is. Sure looks like they made the right call dumping Garnett, Pierce and Allen, though.

[XUFan09]

I'm just looking at boxscores. If the Celtics just could have kept it together for a few more weeks, they'd have had Rondo back and a reals shot at the playoffs as bas as the East is. Sure looks like they made the right call dumping Garnett, Pierce and Allen, though.

Even with Rondo back and Crawford transitioning well with his return, they still probably wouldn't have beat the Pacers or the Heat in 7 games, so it's probably good that they're setting up for a better lottery pick. It's really hard to tank in the Eastern Conference, though!

[LA Muskie]

I saw Jordan last week at the Clippers/Celtics game. His attitude sucks. Let's just say that as an ambassador of Xavier he's no David West.

[XU-PA]

Bad Jordan is back in display during the Boston's current 9 game losing streak. He's managed to dish out assists at a pretty good clip, still, but he's shooting horribly.

still averaging almost 14 (3rd on the team) a game, and almost 6 assists (leads the team). The guy is at or near the top in all stats (not rebounds). Still looks like a great move for the Celtics. But the Celtics stink

[smileyy]

Poor shot selection or just a slump?

He has good shot selection? :D

[LA Muskie]

still averaging almost 14 (3rd on the team) a game, and almost 6 assists (leads the team). The guy is at or near the top in all stats (not rebounds). Still looks like a great move for the Celtics. But the Celtics stink
It's the NBA. Teams are going to score points (especially in the East). SOMEONE has to score the ball and pass to others who score the ball. Jordan has the ball in his hands so much that he's bound to be at or around the top of the list of statistical categories that involve having the ball in your hands.

Plus, bear in mind that Jordan is a very good offensive basketball player. Even at the NBA level. That has never been his problem, whether in college or in the pros. It's other parts of his game (and personality) that turn coaches, teammates, and fans off.

[XU05]

Traded to the Warriors, per reports.

"@WojYahooNBA: Boston has traded guards Jordan Crawford and Marshawn Brooks to Golden State, league sources tell Yahoo Sports."

[mistabeecee41]

3rd trade in 4 years. last year the celtics (playoff team) needed guard help when rondo went down. this year, GS (playoff team) just has awful backup guards and needed guard help.

[GoMuskies]

Bill Simmons must be pleased.

[Milhouse]

Year 4 in the NBA and already a journeyman...

[ThrowDownDBrown]

Good for him he'll get to play in the playoffs


Year 4 in the NBA and already a journeyman...
Would you rather he stayed on the trainwrecks that are Atlanta, Washington or Boston?

[XUFan09]

With how he was playing, he was about as guaranteed of a trade as you could find. Good trade value now for a rebuilding team, and Rondo would make him much less effective.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[MHettel]

Good for him he'll get to play in the playoffs


Would you rather he stayed on the trainwrecks that are Atlanta, Washington or Boston?

Is that a coincidence? that he happens to always be on teams that are in shambles?

NBA players should come with a win / loss rating. Take the percentage of minutes they played in a game and give them a fractional win or loss. So if a guy plays 24 minutes in a win he'd get .5 Wins, and he plays 36 minutes in a loss and it would be .75 Loss so his record would be .5-.75, and his win percentage would be 40%.

Lets see how Crawford fares on the Warriors. Should be interesting. Lots of guys on that team that like to shoot...

[XUFan09]

Is that a coincidence? that he happens to always be on teams that are in shambles?

NBA players should come with a win / loss rating. Take the percentage of minutes they played in a game and give them a fractional win or loss. So if a guy plays 24 minutes in a win he'd get .5 Wins, and he plays 36 minutes in a loss and it would be .75 Loss so his record would be .5-.75, and his win percentage would be 40%.

Lets see how Crawford fares on the Warriors. Should be interesting. Lots of guys on that team that like to shoot...

He joined an aging Celtics squad that then dumped its stars to begin the process of rebuilding. Unless Crawford made them age or made that team reached the point where they were no longer young enough to be contenders, that sounds pretty coincidental.

And the NBA has an "estimated wins added" stat. That's quite a bit more effective than punishing good players for playing on bad teams and rewarding bad and mediocre players for playing on good teams.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[LA Muskie]

I actually think this is a great trade for the Warriers. They need some scoring off their bench. Jordan Crawford could be to the Warriors what Jamal Crawford is to the Clippers -- instant, reliable offense. The problem is that the Clippers' Crawford often plays 4th quarter minutes and that will be tough for the Warriors. Jordan and Steph might go to blows over the ball if they play together.

[Backyard Champ]

Have you ever seen or heard of Crawford getting into it with one if his teammates about shots? Just wondering, I haven't seen it personally, but don't get to watch him very much. Didnt know if there was a precedence in the NBA with him to where that could be a possibility.

[Muskie]

Have you ever seen or heard of Crawford getting into it with one if his teammates about shots? Just wondering, I haven't seen it personally, but don't get to watch him very much. Didnt know if there was a precedence in the NBA with him to where that could be a possibility.

I think it was hyperbole.

[LA Muskie]

I think it was hyperbole.

Indeed it was. Thanks Muskie!

[nuts4xu]

I actually think this is a great trade for the Warriers. They need some scoring off their bench. Jordan Crawford could be to the Warriors what Jamal Crawford is to the Clippers -- instant, reliable offense. The problem is that the Clippers' Crawford often plays 4th quarter minutes and that will be tough for the Warriors. Jordan and Steph might go to blows over the ball if they play together.

I with you, this should be a good fit for JC. Golden State needs another ball handler besides Stephen Curry. They have no one else that can handle the ball outside of SC and its great Jordan will be playing with a contender. The Warriors are very good this season with a lot of weapons. They just added one more.

[Muskie]

Looks like the Warriors acquired Steve Blake today, and then tried to find a buyer for Crawford. On the road again it seems for JC.

[paulxu]

They shipped 2 shooting guards to LA for Blake, so maybe Crawford stays with them as the backup shooting guard?

[Green Mamba]

I'm not sure if Crawford has the talent to be a starter, but I know he doesn't have the mentality to be a back-up.

[MHettel]

Crawford must just be a mess. I watched some Golden State games and he looked pretty good. Golden State trades for Crawford, then about 2 weeks later grabs Blake. I dont think they gave up much for Blake. Wonder if Crawford was offered in that deal.

In a matter of what, 7 years, Crawford has played for IU, XU, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Golden State.

Maybe they will find a way to work him into the rotation, but I suspect he's WAY down in the rotation and wont see any meaningful minutes during important times.

[Juice]

Crawford must just be a mess. I watched some Golden State games and he looked pretty good. Golden State trades for Crawford, then about 2 weeks later grabs Blake. I dont think they gave up much for Blake. Wonder if Crawford was offered in that deal.

In a matter of what, 7 years, Crawford has played for IU, XU, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and Golden State.

Maybe they will find a way to work him into the rotation, but I suspect he's WAY down in the rotation and wont see any meaningful minutes during important times.

Bringing in Blake definitely hurts JC but to me this move seems to be motivated by GS wanting a true PG to back up Curry.

[sirthought]

I understood the deal was also pushed by the Lakers as a way to reduce salary.

So while I don't think Crawford's assist numbers were incredibly different than Blake's, Blake is in the last year of his contract and he's admired for defense in the half court. Warriors might have said let's try this and see if he helps. It's frustrating for Crawford, I'm sure, as he should be working towards being a productive point guard, at his size.

Warriors definitely did not need Bazemore and Brooks with the number of scorers on their squad.

[Masterofreality]

Bringing in Blake definitely hurts JC but to me this move seems to be motivated by GS wanting a true PG to back up Curry.

This.

JC is trying, but like most NBA analysts say, he is more of a shooting guard than point. The trade to GS was because they were needing a backup PG and JC is marginal.

[Masterofreality]

@bostonred88: only on bostons twitter Jordan Crawford Tells Carmelo Anthony That Kevin Garnett Slept With His Wife.

Holy BeeJeezuz!

[markchal]

@bostonred88: only on bostons twitter Jordan Crawford Tells Carmelo Anthony That Kevin Garnett Slept With His Wife.

Holy BeeJeezuz!

Isn't this old? I thought this happened awhile ago?

[Masterofreality]

Isn't this old? I thought this happened awhile ago?

Was just on Boston Red's Twitter. I never had seen it before.

[Juice]

Isn't this old? I thought this happened awhile ago?

Yeah it's old.

[paulxu]

If I remember, he said it to him in a heated discussion as they were exiting the court, maybe at half time or end of game.

[Muskie]

And it's time to kickstart a Jordan Crawford thread.

He's available in a sign and trade scenario (Link (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/09/report-warriors-willing-to-sign-and-trade-guard-jordan-crawford/))

[Muskie]

From the article: Crawford, who came to the Warriors mid-season in a trade with Boston, is an attacking guard who is score first and not much of a distributor and is an inconsistent jump shooter.

No truer words have been spoken. (I'll step back and watch the melee now).

[paulxu]

I don't want in the melee. But most SG's have low assist numbers. While in Boston and playing more PG he averaged over 5 assists/game.