Jamal Crawford: Seattle Legend Retires After 20 years in The NBA. What was his impact?
Yes, Jamal Crawford, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year and NBA journeyman, finally calls it quits after 20 seasons in the NBA. He finally announced his retirement on Twitter late after the games on Sunday night. The Seattle Native played for nine different teams and was a mentor and inspiration to many players in the NBA today.
The Crawford crossover may be one of the most deadly moves Millenials remember. The vet was hurky jerky and savvy in putting the ball in the basket. He was more well known for the 4-point play with 55 in the regular season, which leads the NBA all time. (plus five more in the postseason)
Also, Jamal was one of the best six men of all time, always bringing globe trotter-like energy off the bench. Crawford discovered his place in his first season on the Atlanta Hawks in 2009–10. He was a lightning rod off the bench, and his numbers proved his worth. Crawford averaged 18 points on 45/38/86 shooting splits in 31 minutes per game off the bench. This turned into a Hawks playoff run to the Eastern Conference semifinals. In addition Crawford won his first of three Sixth Man of the Year awards. Just Lou Williams has as many Sixth Man accolades.
Crawford was a prominent piece of the Lob City Los Angeles Clippers in the mid-2010s. He backed up All-NBA point guard Chris Paul for five consecutive 50-win seasons and captured Sixth Man honors in 2014 and 2016. If you remember Lob city, it was one of the most memorable teams to watch in the modern era.
By the rear of his run in L.A., Crawford’s inefficiencies as a sharpshooter and defender set him back in his late 30s. He then served as a veteran mentor, just as he did as a player throughout his career for Seattle-area prospects. Crawford’s popular annual pro-am Crawsover League Alumni include NBA All-Stars Zach LaVine and Dejounte Murray, along with this year’s prospect, Paolo Banchero.
Crawford’s 20 seasons are the most by a player who never emerged in a conference finals. Not many players have made so significant an impact on the basketball game without playing on its most prominent stages. We are all going to miss the energy he brought to this game!
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