12/11/13: Jordan Crawford Starring in a Starting Role
In the summer of 2009, as Keyboard Cat and dancing bridesmaids and groomsmen captivated YouTube nation, grainy footage from LeBron James’ Nike basketball camp set the sports world ablaze: A wiry guard takes an inbound pass during a pickup game, jets past his defender, soars to the rim, and slams the ball with two hands over a taller, more chiseled opponent.
The dunker: Xavier sophomore Jordan Crawford. The subject of a poster: King James himself. The Internet waited for weeks to see the video and the legend of Jordan Crawford grew behind rumors James had camp staff confiscate the tape before it had the chance to see the light of day.
Since that summer day, Crawford’s career hasn’t exactly followed a linear path. He drained a long three in front of a national TV audience to propel Xavier to double-overtime of a Sweet 16 matchup against Kansas State in 2010, a game the Musketeers eventually lost. He was drafted late in the first round, then traded, before arriving as a fantasy basketball surprise in March 2011 for owners needing a volume scorer who could dish, hit threes, pile up steals and even grab a few boards.
Eventually, the same fans who salivated over Crawford’s slam pilloried him for his irresponsible shot selection and perceived indifference laboring on hapless Washington teams unable to crack 30 wins. Who was Jordan Crawford? A point guard? Shooting guard? A shoot-first point guard? A guy who thinks he’s better than Michael Jordan? Another chucker on his way out of the league?
Last February, Crawford was traded to Boston for a guy without an ACL (Leandro Barbosa) and another mainly deployed to commit hard fouls (Jason Collins). The transition to Doc Rivers’ team of established veterans was underwhelming at best. Boston’s offense already resembled a clogged toilet; the addition of Crawford was the equivalent of failing to add enough Drano — it didn’t fix the problem. By the time he trash-talked Carmelo Anthony following a playoff game in which he didn’t actually play, he had pretty much been written off as a Celtic with a future.
Crawford was far from the center of attention in training camp. Speculation swirled around the ascent of a potential superstar (Jeff Green), the continued development of role players (Jared Sullinger and Avery Bradley), health (Rajon Rondo), and a buzzworthy rookie (Kelly Olynyk). He was just “there.”
But following four consecutive losses to start the season, coach Brad Stevens gave Crawford the keys as his starting point guard. Since then, Crawford has produced a tidy line of 14.8 points, 5.9 assists, 1.6 threes, one steal and 2.1 turnovers per game. He’s shooting a career-high 46%, less a product of a hot streak and more tied to his decision-making and getting into the lane for high percentage shots. He has always displayed an ability to make highlight-reel passes; this year he has sprinkled them among smart, effective ones. Most importantly, the Celtics have played better than .500 basketball with Crawford at the wheel.
He capped off the resurgence with Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors, with the masses immediately crediting Stevens for a Dr. Frankenstein-like performance. It’s true, Stevens appears to be what the Iron Sheik would call “the real.”
But to consider Crawford a bust up to now discredits the talent and drive that got Crawford where he is. He’s still just 25 years old. Sure, he may tear himself down with moments of irrational confidence, but it’s that same confidence that propelled him over LeBron, prompted him to launch a 30-footer in the Sweet 16, and currently makes him an effective leader for the C’s.
Of course, on the 2013–14 Boston Celtics, every player looks like a piece of meat. Despite a respectable start in a watered-down Eastern Conference, the Green aren’t expected to challenge Miami or Indiana and could make a huge move at any time. Rondo’s imminent return figures to affect Crawford’s value. Will he be able to handle a backup role? Will Stevens deploy Steez at the two-guard alongside Rondo, playing off the ball? Will some team in need of backcourt help take a chance on him?
Rondo’s superstar presence makes it unlikely the Jordan Crawford Era as Celtics floor general continues. Regardless, the team’s start and Crawford’s emergence as a consistent, occasionally unstoppable NBA talent has been one of the things you need to get excited about when your team isn’t the subject of national TV games or front-page headlines.
This post was originally published to Yahoo! Sports on December 11, 2013.
