Atlanta Hawks: In appreciation of Jamal Crawford
Jamal Crawford is back in town, which got me to thinking about the clip above. That was my very first game covering the Hawks as the AJC beat writer. It turned out it was a proper introduction to Crawford, who loved those big moments and wanted to deliver with crowd-pleasing flair. He always joked he had “street cred” among Hawks fans, and it was true.
In a way, Crawford might have been the best example of that what bugs stats folks about the Hawks: He could do things that confound the formulas. Viewed in the aggregate over the long term, Crawford’s numbers seem pedestrian. But if you spent too much time picking at his weaknesses, you could miss that he often delivered in big games and important moments like the one above.
Think back to Atlanta’s playoffs series victory against Orlando last season. The No. 1 story, as it should have been, was Larry Drew’s successful Twin Defense against Dwight Howard. Crawford’s performance during that series should have been a close second. The Hawks probably don’t win without Crawford delivering all those daggers.
This befuddled Stan Van Gundy, a noted early adopter of advanced stats. I kept asking him if Atlanta’s ability to make long 2s, the most inefficient shot in basketball, threw a wrench into his defensive philosophy. Van Gundy kept interrupting: “But it is an efficient shot for them.” He marveled at Crawfor’d ability to make contested J after contested J. Van Gundy never did figure out how to stop Atlanta’s perimeter-oriented attack, and Crawford was a key part of that. Didn’t the book on the Hawks say they wilted when things got tough? Crawford didn’t.
Crawford did it again during Atlanta’s memorable Game 1 victory at Chicago. Alas, he couldn’t keep it up once the Bulls started sending multiple defenders to crowd him. He did pretty much all he could do, which was to make quick decisions and keep the ball moving and hope others would to the same until Atlanta could get good shots. Joe Johnson didn’t do the same, and Atlanta’s offense bogged down in the face of Chicago’s withering waves of defenders.
You can talk about Crawford’s inefficient scoring but he was more efficient than Johnson last season. The same thing was true in 2009-10, when Crawford also produced points at a higher rate than Johnson. The dude put up numbers.
Of course, Crawford isn’t Johnson’s equal as a player, but he was effective (and fun) when Woody unleashed him as a designated scorer off the bench. Remember that Crawford’’s rep before he arrived in Atlanta was that of a scorer on bad teams who played no defense. With the Hawks Crawford proved that, when properly deployed, he could be a key piece on a good team.
Obviously Crawford’s defense has been subpar over his career. But I watched nearly every one of Atlanta’s defensive possessions during the Orlando series on Synergy and, I swear to you, the Hawks’ funky pick-and-roll defense would not have worked without Crawford doing his part. As the on-the-ball defender Crawford had to make up a lot of ground to get to Orlando’s shooters, and he did it with an engaged and focused effort. It was Crawford on the big stage doing more than his history suggested he could do.
No doubt Crawford soured on his experience with the Hawks last season. Management told him he was part of team’s “core” but then he was the only member of that group without a contract beyond last year. And then the Hawks basically told him they couldn’t afford him last summer. You can agree with Atlanta’s reasoning for not giving him a big contract (but also acknowledge how the team’s earlier cap mismanagement led to that situation) while also understanding why Crawford didn’t like it.
Eventually Crawford got with the program last season. That was true even after L.D. put Crawford in a play-making role that Crawford clearly wasn’t comfortable with–he went on to post his best assist rate since 2003-04 while keeping his turnover rate low. Crawford’s drop-off in production last season and the guards who flooded the free-agent market probably cost him a lot of money.
Now Crawford is off to a slow start with Portland but is there any doubt he’s going to try to put on a show tonight like old times?
“I am sure Jamal is going to want to come in here and light us up,” Drew said. “I do know that.”
There was a mixed reaction among fans when the team made no real effort to re-sign him before he bolted for Portland. It probably fell along that efficiency/electricity divide. But there is little doubt Crawford will receive a warm welcome tonight from Hawks fans. He won them over with his big shots, flashy style and engaging personality. You can still see the love Hawks fans have for Crawford on his Twitter account.
And the preseason lobbying of management to re-sign Crawford by Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford illustrated how his old teammates feel about Crawford.
“I wish him nothing but the best but at the same time I want to win [tonight],” Smith said. “It will be good to see him and interact with him but when it’s time to jump the ball he’s just another opponent.”
Look deeply into the stats and you can convince yourself that, over the long term, Crawford is just another shooting guard. But then you remember moments like my first game on the Hawks beat, and that Orlando series last season, and you realize that Crawford can confound the numbers and be much more than that.
(Leaving the previous blog open for voting through tomorrow.)
Michael Cunningham, Hawks beat
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139 comments Add your comment
Smith.Leuer.Bogut
January 18th, 2012
5:57 pm
Marcus Camby is playing. Last time someone was doubtful (Granger) they showed up to surprise and whupped the Hawks.
“The play offs is NOT the regular season and you only gonna’ run off of turnovers. You don’t have defense and rebounding don’t even think about gambling to force turnovers – period. You better be big inside and feed the post inside out. The Hawks have NEVER fed AL in the post, regular season nor post season – period. Like Amare” said, “Al is NOT that type of player!” A week later we went to MSG and Al got his azz handed to him.”
Yet he wants to play PF.
One honest question that I want answered.
How comfortable would you feel if Smith had gone down 1st. If we had Teague, Johnson, Vlad/Marvin, Al and Zaza, Ivan etc ?
I have a feeling McGrady would be taking to many shots. Horford would be passing to Ivan and Zaza too much. No blocks.
Go back and watch all the times Al has played PF with Zaza. Happens every game with Smith to the bench and Al is in. Yet he never steps up. But thats beside the point. You have no excuse why rookies have better post up moves than you.
He has no idea how to score fluidly. Too robotic and short and stuck between positions. Not a shooter not a banger. Just an inbetweener. And then he’s Always getting injured trying to dunk on someone. Ugh. I have no idea how Al has stayed with us this long. Oh wait I remember 2 coaches voted him in as Dwight’s manservant for some game where only stars should show up.
‘Coach, don’t worry about playing me, I just want to play one stint. This is about the stars.’
– Al Horford to Doc Rivers in 2011
KevinM
January 18th, 2012
6:00 pm
At one point, I wanted Al Jefferson to take on the C position.
Utah’s not moving him now, and he does have a big price tag.
Its hard to find a contributor from that position at this time. We probably have to wait until the all-star break to get any serious converstions moving….why is that? Do all teams still think they need to keep their rosters intact? We may be much more desperate next month.
Drewcat
January 18th, 2012
6:02 pm
Nothing bad at all to say about Jamal. He was visible in the community, he played with the right attitude, and he was team first. Real Classy dude from what I’ve observed also. The only Hawk to win individual honors from the NBA Awards Committee in a looong time.
Jamal helped bring a lot of positive attention to this franchise. MUCH LOVE for Crawford, but GOOO HAWKS!
I hope ESPN gets some footage of the core guys chatting it up with Crawford; the same king of attention Odom got in his LA return. After all Crawford was Sixth Man the year before the former.
Slimjr
January 18th, 2012
6:05 pm
“f they couldnt battle inside with LeBron, Mo, Antoine and Shaq after winning 61 regular season games? what in Sam’s Hill are Varejao (flopper) and Sessions gonna’ do here without a Super Star and fan crowd in the play offs?”
Who’s afraid of the BIG BAD WOLF?
“The play offs is NOT the regular season and you are NOT gonna’ run – period. You better be big inside and feed the post inside out. The Hawks have NEVER fed AL in the post, regular season nor post season – period. Like Amare” said, “Al is NOT that type of player!” A week later we went to MSG and Al got his azz handed to him.”
drmaryb is on FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
drmaryb for President! She’ll kick some azz and take no prisoners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMFAO!
Slimjr
January 18th, 2012
6:07 pm
ALL NBA is a pretty boy not an ENFORCER..
For Halloween he and Miss Universe will dress up as TWINS!!!! LOL!
Luke Cage
January 18th, 2012
6:09 pm
LOL@all the negative doom & gloomers
Luke Cage
January 18th, 2012
6:11 pm
by the way, SWEET CHRISTMAS!!!
Slimjr
January 18th, 2012
6:15 pm
If Josh went down instead of All NBA, the Hawks would be 0-4 instead of 3-1….Truth hurts…It is what it is…….
Luke Cage
January 18th, 2012
6:15 pm
also LOL@some of these dumb trade scenerios the doom & gloomers keep coming up with
Slimjr
January 18th, 2012
6:16 pm
BTW, Portland is more talented than Indiana….
Blast
January 18th, 2012
6:17 pm
Jamal was great his first year with the Hawks, earning him his first Six Man of the Year award, but he faded considerably last year, and didn’t even get any mention for that award. I like Jamal and was ecstatic when Hawks traded for him, but when you have so up and down a season last year, coupled with bad defence, no rebounding and expect 5 mil a year, I can see why Hawks allowed him to walk, and I think they made the right move.
Hawks basically signed TMac, Vlad, Pargo, and Green, 4 players, for what Jamal himself alone would have been worth, and those players are really helping Hawks out.
Way I see it, letting Crawford walk was a win win situation for the Hawks.
Playing Portland tonight will be a great test for Hawks, and who suits for Portland should not be an issue. Hawks should be ready to play any team regardless of who is hurt or not.
Go Hawks!
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 18th, 2012
6:22 pm
Beat Biter!
““The play offs is NOT the regular season and you only gonna’ run off of turnovers. You don’t have defense and rebounding don’t even think about gambling to force turnovers – period. You better be big inside and feed the post inside out. The Hawks have NEVER fed AL in the post, regular season nor post season – period. Like Amare” said, “Al is NOT that type of player!” A week later we went to MSG and Al got his azz handed to him.”” -SLB-
_________________
Allow me to “dumb – down” and deal with this stupid azz troll once and for all.
First of all, Al and Josh asked for some size help in the paint to become any type of contender two seasons ago. They got Twin back and nothing more. This year, Josh said they needed a dead eye shooter.
Second, write your own ish … don’t take my quoutes and add your stupidity to it!
Aye DOG, get your own T-bone! I got mine at Denny’s for $6.99
______________
OK, I’m done with all the foolishness. I’m too old for this ish. LOL Besides, we know what it is with the Hawks, we’ve seen it all before and basically, all of us are right in our opinions. We are just having a healthy, decent conversation about our beloved hawks.
Let’s Go Hawks!
MattP
January 18th, 2012
6:26 pm
I hate to say it but I hope Portland destroys us so we do not sit on the few bigs we have.
GA PEACH
January 18th, 2012
6:27 pm
Yeah I loved Jamal to but hey he is just another player tonite. It sure would be nice to have our own beat writer appreciate our own players when they are successful. Oh well, All our fans have to look forward to is when will they lose since Al is out they (hawks) couldn’t actually keep winning could they??
drmaryb.[*_*].
January 18th, 2012
6:45 pm
The Difference!
“Jamal was great his first year with the Hawks, earning him his first Six Man of the Year award, but he faded considerably last year, and didn’t even get any mention for that award” -blast-
_________________
OK, Blast … if your’e gonna’ tell the story, then tell the WHOLE story. Let’s be fair to Jamal, he joined a very dysfunctional family. First, he played for Mr. Woodson who used him as the sixth man off the bench. Mr. Woodson gave Jamal the green light to shoot in an offense that had no structure whatsover.
Conversely, he came back last year to a team with a new coach and a new pentangle offense. Not only that, Coach Drew asked Jamal to play a ton of minutes at PG. Jamal did what he was asked to do and it is not his fault that he is not a PG. Also, Sund asked Jamal to waive his player option and, not bolt from Atlanta after his first year in exchange for an extension with the Hawks, which ASKG re-nigged on and that created some bad blood amongst all parties involved.
Jamal really wanted to be here long term, but like many others and us fans, he was screwed by the DASKG. I got no beef with Jamal. Best wishes to the young fella.
_______________
SLIMJR! Wassup honey pie? Man, it’s crazy up in here. These zambie trolls off the chain, pretty soon we will be hearing from “IGO-DOLA” (Nique’s voice) with some live stats all game thread long. ugggh … better pack a bowl right about now to get ready the 2 foot gremlins.
Buddy Grizzard
January 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
In appreciation of Jamal Crawford… Thank you Jamal for shooting 3-for-19 an the Game 5 and 6 losses against Chicago last year. Thanks for playing zero defense. Thanks for signing elsewhere.
PS: Up now on Hoopinion:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/01/blazers-pose-hazard-to-early-bandwagon.html
Buddy Grizzard
January 18th, 2012
7:01 pm
Headed to the game blog peeps… section 210
Buddy Grizzard
January 18th, 2012
7:08 pm
“Jamal cost about 3.5X more than Flip for a few more points. Funny how production vs. salary only applies to certain players but not others.” – Astro Joe
Good call AJ. Can you guess which player who has been in the top 10 in playoff rebounding rate two of the last 3 years is the lowest-paid player in that category? He shouldn’t be hard to spot on this list… he’s the only one making less than $10m per season:
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?sort=reboundRate&year=2011&seasontype=3&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics%3fsort%3dreboundRate%26year%3d2011%26seasontype%3d3
Just Joe
January 18th, 2012
7:09 pm
Batum & Wallace are our toughest matchups tonight. We need Marvin, Vlad & TMac to step up.
Josh/Ivan – Aldridge
Joe – Matthews
Teague – Felton
Willie/Pargo – Jamal
Pachulia/Collins – Camby/Thomas
Their abilities are all too close. It’s going to come down to the SF position. Batum & Wallace combine for 27 pts a game. We’ll need more than that from Marvin, Vlad & TMac to win.
MattP
January 18th, 2012
7:14 pm
Once again, I am confused as to why LD is going big lineup again.
Blast
January 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
Hear ya, Dr Mary. But don’t get me wrong, love all Jamal did for the Hawks, but you must admit that when his shot is off, he is a disability to any team. Anyway, we shall see how he plays tonight.
beejayrufino
January 18th, 2012
7:17 pm
I’ll never forget this game especially what Dan Shulman says “What a remarkable run Jamal Crawford has in games helping the Atlanta Hawks in the forth quarter winning games after games” I was jumping in my house after this game
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:19 pm
Finally the trade machine is working again. Here we go.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=88okexa
Some sort of pick or young player would probably have to go to New Orleans to entice them to do the deal, but it would benefit all three teams (in the Hornets’ case, the benefit is the $6 million net savings).
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:28 pm
Regarding the topic of the article, Jamal was a flawed player but in some ways was also an ideal bench player. I agreed with the decision to let him walk, but it’s good to see him back, and hopefully he receives a much deserved standing O when he checks into the game.
northcyde
January 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
Sometimes I think MC is Grandad . . with his refusal to give Joe Johnson his due props at times. Jamal Crawford was and still is the ULTIMATE hot and cold player.
He was stellar in the first 4 games of the Orlando series, and great once again in Game 1 vs the Bulls.
But yeah . . let’s applaud the cat who was 3 – 19 FG in the final 2 games of the Bulls series, and act like he was more efficient that JJ throughout last year’s playoffs. Let’s applaud the guy who couldn’t even begin to defend Derrick Rose or any other player on the Bulls team.
Yeah MC . . . people who know basketball CAN’T forget about Jamal’s GLARING faults as a b-ball player, despite his penchant for the “big shot”.
The Phoenix game winner was tremendous. The shot he hit in Game 3 of the Orlando series to seal that game, may be one of the most memorable shots in Atlanta playoff history.
But make no mistake MC. Jamal Crawford is a one dimensional GUNNER. And as much as it may kill a lot of people, the Hawks are a BETTER TEAM with Willie Green as the backup 2 guard, than they are with Jamal Crawford.
Not only does Willie play better defense, he plays much more under control. Most of all, he’ll take shots in his comfort zone, rather that to nonchalantly throw up 3 pointers left and right.
The “great” Jamal Crawford is currently shooting 34% FG and 30% 3FG with the Blazers this season . . and 7 for his last 31 FG in the past 3 games.
But he’s the ultimate streak shooter, so he has the capability of hanging 26 points on the Hawks tonight . . and people like you will gush over that fact, instead of seeing that he’s failed to score in double digits in 6 of the 13 games the Blazers have played this year.
So thank you Jamal, in the times you did play well. But also . . good riddance . . because we are MUCH BETTER without you.
prison nike
January 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=88okexa
That is up north style sweet tea, you gotta make it down south “Chickfilla style” sweet tea for N.O.
Lakers get: Hinrich
Hawks get: Kaman
Hornets get: Lakers 1st round 2012 pick, One of Atlanta’s 2nd round pick, Zaza
hawkfan
January 18th, 2012
7:33 pm
what is mark cuban doing on the espn table he is the reason we lost terry long time ago smh
Runner-
January 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
lol MC owned O’Brien…
Anyway, per Blazers beat writer: “Blazers coach McMillan says he wants [Jamal] to stop thinking & just play. So his approach with Crawford tonight vs. Atl: “Let him go.””
Gonna be a big night for Mr. Crawford
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:36 pm
“We don’t even have the size to get out of the EAST, what are you gonna’ do IF you get to the WEST? LOL! Put that pipe down dreamers … Just enjoy the little entertainment for what it is.”
The Hawks’ problem isn’t lack of size as much as lack of quality size. After Josh, the second most effective big man the Hawks have is a guy straight out of the D-League. Other teams may not have big men who dwarf the Hawks’ big men, but their big men are much more effective.
northcyde
January 18th, 2012
7:36 pm
MattP
January 18th, 2012
6:26 pm
I hate to say it but I hope Portland destroys us so we do not sit on the few bigs we have.
*******************
LOL @ wishing for us to lose, just so we can go get a big. Go kill yourself dude.
Let me take that back. Don’t kill yourself. I don’t want you to die. Just go wrestle one of Mike Vick’s old pit bulls.
SMH @ the logic of some fans. I’m amped up for this game for some reason. How about hoping that Zaza scores 15 points and grabs 13 rebounds . . . and that Ivan takes it right to Marcus Camby?
northcyde
January 18th, 2012
7:37 pm
I agree Najeh . . . it’s QUALITY size that is issue here. Not size itself.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:39 pm
“when we can add a 7 footer with skill in Semih Erden from the Cavs for our 2nd rounder. ”
I forgot about Erden (or as Barkley calls him, That Big Semen Kid) but he would be a good pickup if he were available. He was solid as a backup for the Celtics before the trade. Don’t know why he can’t see the floor for the Cavs, but now would be a good time to strike before he finds his way into their rotation.
phil
January 18th, 2012
7:41 pm
Tom
January 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Nice article for Jamal. He deserves it. Wish him the best and thanks for the highlights!
*******
He deserves squat. He’s gone and to heck with him! Someone needs to knock him on his ass and not let him light us up.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:42 pm
“I heard Jeff Van Gundy ask the other day if a certain bench player (I think Asik) played for 30 minutes a game, would he still have the energy to hustle as much as he does now. And he didn’t believe so. The point is, the Hawks have NO one on the coaching staff who I would trust to develop a young big.”
Also a good reason why projecting Zaza’s per minute stats and implying that he would be equally effective in a starting role doesn’t work.
Najeh Davenpoop
January 18th, 2012
7:45 pm
” I wonder if Boston would take Marvin, Kirk, and 2 2nd round picks for Pierce.”
Wishful thinking. I’d love Pierce in a Hawks uniform though. Maybe he could teach Joe how to get to the free throw line consistently.
northcyde
January 18th, 2012
7:46 pm
And I’m cool if the fans at Philips Arena give Jamal a nice round of applause when he comes in the game.
BUT IT STOPS THERE.
Don’t you DARE cheer for that mo-fo as the game progresses. Cheer for the Hawks, not your “favorite player on another team”. Oooh and aahhh at the “tricky dribble” all you want, but don’t you DARE cheer for that dude if he starts making shots.
Time to grow up Atlanta, and be a legit sports town that cheers for it’s OWN TEAM, to drown out all of the bandwagon fans.
Let’s see if Jamal can guard Willie Green tonight. OR better yet, let’s see if he can stop Joe when he posts his azz up.
Hawks4Eva
January 18th, 2012
7:47 pm
Whats the over / under of Zza Zza fumbling a pass or shot attempt +/- 4
Michael Cunningham
January 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.
Trail Blazers-Hawks: Jamal Crawford returns to Atlanta (links) | Portland OR DIRECTV Service
January 18th, 2012
10:08 pm
[...] Atlanta Hawks: In appreciation of Jamal Crawford — Michael Cunningham, Atlanta Journal-Constitution In a way, Crawford might have been the [...]