Atlanta Hawks: Jamal Crawford prepared to ‘go elsewhere’ without extension
Jamal Crawford isn’t happy about his contract situation. It’s been obvious to those around him at Hawks camp that his demeanor isn’t the same. He’s being a professional but the enthusiasm is lacking.
So far, Crawford has stopped short of publicly expressing his displeasure with the Hawks for not offering a contract extension. In that way he’s taking a different tact than Kenyon Martin in Denver and Aaron Brooks in Houston.
But Crawford’s stance might be shifting a bit. At media day Monday he was careful to avoid talking about the possibility of leaving the Hawks. Now, with GM Rick Sund still not offering an extension and also resisting trade inquiries, Crawford sounds more urgent about the issue.
“You think something is solid and a family you just want that to be what it is,” Crawford said today “I would love to be here long term, no doubts about it. I would love to lock that up before I become a free agent. I want to make it work here. But if that is not the plan I guess I will go elsewhere.”
Crawford will make $10.1 million this year. He is seeking a new deal after winning the NBA’s Sixth Man Award while helping the Hawks to 53 victories and the No. 3 playoffs seed in the East. The uncertainty with the expiring collective bargaining agreement also is a major factor in his desire for an extension.
Sund has declined comment on Crawford’s situation, citing his policy of not discussing players’ contracts. He typically hasn’t offered extensions on veteran contracts. The exceptions have been cases in which the player could expect a maximum contract in free agency like Joe Johnson.
If Crawford were to become a free agent next summer, he would be among the top players available.
“There is a part of me that is comfortable with that,” he said. “But my whole thing is loyalty. I’m a loyal person. And I thought the Hawks were big to step up and give me an opportunity to go further. I thought I played my role to the best of my abilities, and I just want to be here a long time.
“I don’t want to compete [for a contract] and have to go anywhere else but if I am not in the future plans then I guess that is what I will have to do.”
In the meantime, Crawford is doing what’s asked of him at camp. His back tightened up during practice Thursday and Hawks coaches offered to let him sit out sprints at the end of the session but Crawford finished.
He said he’s trying to separate the business from the basketball
“That’s the tough part,” he said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time, being supportive of my teammates. I have the utmost respect for Coach Drew and his staff, that’s for sure. I try to do as much as possible without my mind wandering too much. [But] at times, you can ‘overthink’ it instead of just going with the flow.”
MC
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113 comments Add your comment
dstdeelite
October 3rd, 2010
4:00 pm
Al knows where he stands with the organization. Why would he be griping about an extension? He knows they Hawks want him shored up for the long run. Apples and oranges
MsDee
October 3rd, 2010
4:42 pm
dstdeelite,
Exactly cause AL is a franchise player, AN ALL STAR..he suppose to know his team wants him..he is deserving of it..Jamal is just a1st time 6th man of the year after how many years in the league?
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 3rd, 2010
6:42 pm
Drmaryb
Are you saying Smoove and Horf are nut huggers?
I agree though JC1 needs to leave it on the court. He is thinking too much about the future and what will be. He strikes me as an intelligent guy and maybe he has outsmarted himself negotiating through the press.
northcyde
October 3rd, 2010
8:36 pm
@ Hawks Fan in N.O. . . . Bolts go through nuts. Nuts secure a structure. You can actually hold something in place with a bolt by itself. It might not be secure, but you can hold something together. But a nut by itself is useless without a bolt. That’s why Jamal is a nut, and not a bolt.
The good drmaryb described Al and Josh as bolts, because the structure that is the Hawks would collapse without them ( unless they’re replaced with another bolt ). LOL . . I understand what you were trying to do, with the sexually suggestive post, but I had to clean it up a little.
@ rusty . . . LOL . . I hate to inform you of this, but the major flaw in Jamal’s game is that he DOESN’T drive to the hole nearly as much as he should. He has the talent and skill to do it, but he’d rather take a 20 – 25 foot jumper. And that’s why he’s been one of the NBA’s most inconsistent, but talented players in league history.
Percentage wise, Jamal takes WAY MORE jumpers from 16 feet and out than JJ. JJ may not go all the way to the hole, but he will at least try to get into the paint and score via the floater ( a shot that he makes 50% of the time ). But Jamal looks long jumper first and more often. LOL . . your 11:54 am post describes Jamal perfectly, not JJ.
@ everybody else . . . Just let this all play out, before you all cross Jamal off your Christmas lists. Jamal is simply approaching this like a business. Yeah, it probably wasn’t a good idea to voice his feelings on this, because the majority of fans won’t understand where he’s coming from. But as long as his perfomance on the court isn’t affected by this, it’s a non-issue to me.
northcyde
October 3rd, 2010
8:42 pm
I should’ve said . . .”Bolts go through a structure and through a nut. Nuts tighten or secure a structure, only when they latch onto ( or hug ) a bolt.”
That’s why a structure can be held in place with a bolt, even if the structure isn’t secure. But a nut can’t do jack, unless it “hugs” onto a bolt to tighten the structure.
So is that Jamal’s new nickname?
“Nut” Crawford?
Fans are telling “Nut” to shut up and play.
Hawks Fan In New Orleans
October 3rd, 2010
9:14 pm
ROFL thanks for the clarification northcyde and no disrespect drmaryb – looks like JC1 has a new nickname then.
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[...] of the stance that the front office has taken, Crawford has said that he will “go elsewhere” if nothing is done to keep him in Atlanta. Going elsewhere, however, is easier said than done since [...]
Vic
October 4th, 2010
3:26 pm
Crawford was perfect under the last coach because he could create his own shot and play iso ball. Drew says next season will be different. If Crawford can flourish under the “new” system, he’ll be rewrded for it, either here or somewhere else. Crawford has generally been a good player on bad teams, but he’s always averaged double digits.
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Jaykeia
October 4th, 2010
6:43 pm
Hawks need to “pay the man”! Their front office discuss me…we could have such a good team if the Hawks would have handled their business over the last couple of years…instead we’re stuck with a so-so team
rcjur
October 6th, 2010
12:18 pm
Hawks will need Jamal’s offense this season to even touch the playoffs and with the way Sund is handling this thing, it will cost you the playoffs!! Jamal doesn’t have to play for a contract. He is one of your best players on your team. Sign him up for 2 years and call it a good move and stop being a stupid owner.