Brooklyn Nets guard Jamal Crawford is battling the noise and the doubters, but what he sees is the hooper he’s still capable of being.
Crawford released an interview with The Players’ Tribune, and he spoke about the different stages of his career, likening them to albums musicians have over the course of their careers. Crawford, 40, is at a stage that would be the end for most players, but he feels he can still ball out:
In my heart of hearts, I’m like, I know I’m still the same player. I know at this age you’re not supposed to be the same player, but I know I am. That’s why that last month was so huge. Besides the 51-point game off the bench, right? I averaged 31 points in the month of April. That’s my highest scoring month of my career, in 19 years.
.@JCrossover reflects on his basketball journey like a rapper, from his mixtape days to his final album — which he doesn’t plan on dropping any time soon.
This is not an encore or a curtain call. This is the Blueprint.
📽️: https://t.co/xnxLvCmv31 pic.twitter.com/maoiLCiv0Z
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) July 14, 2020
Crawford was speaking of his season with the Phoenix Suns during the 2018-19 campaign. He scored 51 points off the bench as the Suns lost 120-109 to the Dallas Mavericks. In four April games, he scored 31.3 points per game and shot 55.1% from the field.
A three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner, Crawford’s ability to quickly score will make him valuable for Brooklyn.
The Nets need all the offensive help they get, with Caris LeVert now being the No. 1 option. Crawford will be another important player in the team’s offense, with his mesmerizing handles helping him dissect defenders.
During his career, Crawford has scored 14.6 points per game, dished 3.4 assists a game and shot 41.0% from the field.
Brooklyn will be without Kevin Durant (right Achilles rehab), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder), DeAndre Jordan (opted out after testing positive for COVID-19), Nicolas Claxton (left shoulder), Wilson Chandler (chose to opt-out), Taurean Prince (won’t play after testing positive for COVID-19) and Spencer Dinwiddie (won’t play after testing positive for COVID-19).
With Crawford there as a veteran voice, he could help the Nets stay levelheaded in an environment no one in the league has ever experienced.
The Return. Jamal Crawford has signed with the Nets. @JCrossover pic.twitter.com/vcwx5n2VLL
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) July 9, 2020
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