Jamal Crawford may not have been the designated point guard for the Knicks, but when the ball reached his hands, something special was usually about to happen.
If Crawford’s handles are still some of the best in the game as he approaches his 40s, it’s reasonable to assume they were just as good, if not better, during his prime.
His game was, and will always be, about getting buckets with the ball in his hands. He’d break down defenders with every move in the book, bringing new meaning to the phrase “ball on a string”, and score the ball from even the toughest of angles.
He was the guy one you would give it to at the end of the shot-clock following a broken play because everyone knew he’d be able to get off a clean look. More often, than not he’d do just that, and knock it down to the delight of the crowd.
Crawford wasn’t terrible at getting looks for his teammates. After all, his ability to break down any sort of defensive coverage was bound to create open looks, and 4.4 assists per game aren’t terrible. But with a score-first mentality, he never really made a concerted effort to dish the rock, instead opting to attack whoever happened to be guarding him at that moment.
“J-Crossover” was such a treat to watch, using his elite ball handling skills to create for himself. This is what allowed him to be at his best with the Knicks, averaging 17.6 points a night and creating some highlight-worthy moments along the way.