Michigan4Life

November 6th, 2013 at 10:12 AM ^

He's a great talent, but is a big ball hog and doesn't play defense. He was my most frustrating player for me to watch because I see him take uncontested jumpers when there's guys wide open for an easy basket.

ypsituckyboy

November 6th, 2013 at 10:21 AM ^

It talks about how he hates the "ball hog" label. Plus, at least during his time at Michigan, I think I may have preferred a contested Crawford jumpshot to most alternatives.

I remember that Georgia Tech game early in the season where Crawford, Blanchard, and Groninger all played great. My hopes were so high. Then Crawford got suspended, teams figured out that Groninger couldn't dribble, and you could just double-team Blanchard to effectively shut down the M offense.

UMfan21

November 6th, 2013 at 10:44 AM ^

It's amazing to think how he overcame his family issues, survived a year being coached by Brian Ellerbe, got screwed by the NCAA, overcame a torn ACL and still had a successful NBA career. It speaks volumes about his drive and talent.

doughboy

November 6th, 2013 at 11:07 AM ^

Always one of my favorite players.  So much to overcome but still grounded after all these years.  Watching him on the court was pretty amazing.  At times he'd be launching shots just passed midcourt knowing they were going in.  It wasn't just someone jacking up shots and hoping they'd go in, it was a player that knew he could make the shot whenever he wanted to.  

As for the whole selfish-thing, I guess I can understand people saying that.  But watching him in college you realized that Jamal would make these incredible passes that the majority of his teammates at Michigan either couldn't handle or weren't ready for.  So after a while you could kinda' sense Jamal maybe thinking, "why pass when I can score".

Glad to see he has become such a great person and "giver" to both his community and those less fortunate.

Bando Calrissian

November 6th, 2013 at 11:08 AM ^

Don't let the revisionist folks tell you otherwise-the headbanded frenzy that was Crisler during the meteoric flash of Jamal Crawford's Michigan career was as good as it gets. Yes, an Ellerbe team was exciting. And fun. And then it was over.

LSAClassOf2000

November 6th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ^

"And the four-point play should be renamed The Jamal; 37 times he has made a three-pointer while being fouled and sank the ensuing free throw, by far the most four-point plays in league history."

I had to chuckle at that, but yeah, he did have this down to a science. 

Great article, and it is nice to see that level of community involvement and wanting to give back from someone, and it seems like Jamal is giving time to Seattle even when he is nowhere near home. I also thought this was a great statement:

“At any point, you can change a life by sparing just one moment of your time,” Crawford says. “That’s the best part about being in the NBA.”

Thanks for sharing this, OP. 

jmblue

November 6th, 2013 at 1:15 PM ^

That HS photo of him playing a team in Michiganesque uniforms made me do a double-take.  We need to bring back the Fab Five uniforms.