Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Rumors: Pros And Cons Of Pursuing Jamal Crawford

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and assistant coach Sam Cassell head into Moda Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) and assistant coach Sam Cassell head into Moda Center before game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Apr 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) eyes the ball as it is recovered by forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) eyes the ball as it is recovered by forward Blake Griffin (32) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /

Con: New York’s Need At Starting SG

Jamal Crawford is one of the more explosive bench scorers in the NBA. That much has been acknowledged and elaborated upon, but it isn’t the only point of emphasis to address with Crawford.

On the opposite end of the floor, Crawford is much better than he’s given credit for—there’s just one pesky little red flag.

Crawford quietly held opponents to 41.9 percent shooting from the field in 2015-16. That was a full 2.0 percent below his opponents’ average field goal percentage, which is a sign that he can be an effective defensive player.

Alongside Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose, however, New York needs a defensive stopper at the 2—a role Crawford may not be suited for.

Crawford has the size and length to be a plus defender at 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan. He’s quick enough to stay in front of a slasher, and has the length to contest jump shots with more efficiency than the average combo guard.

New York needs a lockdown defender to operate with Anthony and Rose, however, and a 36-year-old Crawford may not be the proper choice for that role.

Next: Pro

Home/Knicks News