Day2: Teammates shocked that Crawford is a gifted passer and tenacious defender

[jerrywest]

Marry Christmas everybody!!!

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-crawford-more-than-151085.html

Sure, they already knew he could score with the best of them. He is, after all, one of just four players in NBA history to score 50 or more points with three different teams, joining legends Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King and Moses Malone in that elite club.

But they had no idea he was such a gifted passer and tenacious defender as he's shown in the first hours of training camp.

read on...

[jerrywest]

OK this article has to be here.

It's taken all of two full practices with his new teammates for Hawks guard Jamal Crawford to clear up any misconceptions who and what he is on the basketball court.

Enlarge photo

Hawks players have already found that new teammate Jamal Crawford is also a gifted passer and a tenacious defender.

Johnny Crawford, jcrawford@ajc.com Hawks players have already found that new teammate Jamal Crawford is also a gifted passer and a tenacious defender.

Sure, they already knew he could score with the best of them. He is, after all, one of just four players in NBA history to score 50 or more points with three different teams, joining legends Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King and Moses Malone in that elite club.

But they had no idea he was such a gifted passer and tenacious defender as he's shown in the first hours of training camp.

It's those two surprising traits, in addition to Crawford's ability to score in bunches from virtually anywhere on the floor, that are expected to make his transition a smooth one.

"It's the same feeling we had after our first practice when Mike [bibby] got traded here," Marvin Williams said. "The previous point guards we had were guys that were more conservative and guys that were just trying to get the job done. Just like Mike, Jamal has that flash to his game that you don't really appreciate until you're out there with him.

"You can be out there on the floor looking at that crack in the defense and wondering if he sees it and the next thing you know, the pass is hitting you in your hands. Or in your face, if you're not careful. That's when you realize you're out there with a guy that's on a different level."

Crawford has made a conscious effort to show off the other parts of his game to make sure his new teammates and coaches understand that he's capable of so much more than just scoring.

And it's working. He is drawing raves from around the floor.

"If you're watching him in practice, it's almost like he's coasting because he makes it look so effortless," Al Horford said. "You can tell he's trying to come in and get used to everybody and he doesn’t want to step on anyone's toes or anything. But by all means, he can score whenever he wants to and we need that."

There will be a time and a place for his shot. Crawford is well aware of that. Right now, blending in is his top priority.

"This team went to the second round of the playoffs and won 47 games and all those guys are back," Crawford said. "So it's not like there's a whole new group and we've all come in here together. But they make you feel welcome here, from the players to the coaches to the front office and even the people on the street.

"Seriously, it's weird the vibe you get from people. I'm sure the last couple of years, it's been about getting to the playoffs. But all I'm hearing is championship. People expect us to take that next step. And I don't think they brought me here just for the regular season. I think they brought me, and all of us new guys, here to help this team go further. So we're going to be ready."

That means playing the role of set-up man in practice and finding unsuspecting teammates with passes they might not expect from a guy with a reputation as a consummate scorer.

"Me playing with him, the comfort zone is basically automatic," Horford said. "He has such a great feel for the game that he just makes you look good on the receiving end of his passes. People have to respect him because if they don't, he'll destroy you. He can score at will. That's what he can do. But if the defense challenges him, he can make the great passes, too."

It all looks good to Hawks coach Mike Woodson, who said the matchup possibilities with the 6-foot-5 Crawford are endless.

"We all look at Jamal as a guy that can score the ball and there's no doubt, he's as good as you can get in that respect," Woodson said. "But he's a much more dynamic player than that, as is [rookie point guard] Jeff Teague. And the sooner the rest of our guys figure out how they can play off of these guys, the more dangerous we'll be."

[Buzzard]

Marry Christmas everybody!!!

http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-crawford-more-than-151085.html

Sure, they already knew he could score with the best of them. He is, after all, one of just four players in NBA history to score 50 or more points with three different teams, joining legends Wilt Chamberlain, Bernard King and Moses Malone in that elite club.

But they had no idea he was such a gifted passer and tenacious defender as he's shown in the first hours of training camp.

read on...

I like that his teamamates are talking well of him. But I am also taking what they say with a grain of salt. I have liked Crawford since his days in Chicago but never for his defense...his size to go along with his passing skills and scoring is what set Crawford apart when he was in Chicago back then and I always felt their coach did not utlize him correctly. Think it was Skyles (sp)

Edited September 30, 2009 by Buzzard

[Admin]

That was a really good read, although part of me is just saying that's typical new guy off-season fluff. I'm hopeful though that there is more to Crawford than he's been known for.

And I had to laugh picturing Marvin getting hit in the face with a pass and how it probably knocked his clumsy butt on the ground.

"You can be out there on the floor looking at that crack in the defense and wondering if he sees it and the next thing you know, the pass is hitting you in your hands. Or in your face, if you're not careful. That's when you realize you're out there with a guy that's on a different level."

[buckeye242424]

"If you're watching him in practice, it's almost like he's coasting because he makes it look so effortless," Al Horford said. "You can tell he's trying to come in and get used to everybody and he doesn’t want to step on anyone's toes or anything. But by all means, he can score whenever he wants to and we need that."

This quote is Horf's polite way of saying: "I'm sick and tired Joe Johnson being the guy left to do all the scoring when our offense breaks down because we don't have a fluent system. Adding a one-on-one threat is huge for us because that's what I'm used to in my two years here..."

[Duff_Man]

That was a really good read, although part of me is just saying that's typical new guy off-season fluff. I'm hopeful though that there is more to Crawford than he's been known for.

And I had to laugh picturing Marvin getting hit in the face with a pass and how it probably knocked his clumsy butt on the ground.

I had an old coach that used to say "throw it at their face...they'll catch it."

Not always true.

[jerrywest]

I don't believe Marvin. He is too nice about everybody.

Crawford always had the length and athleticism to play defense.

He lacked the strength, intention and environment. He got the last one finally. He is forced to grow the second one when he is in the third one. For the first one he has to work hard. I hope worked on that this summer.

[TheTruth]

All of it sounds nice, but I will remain a skeptic til it actually happens in the real games. However, I am hopeful though.

[sillent]

I've been trying to tell y'all don't sleep on our new guards Jamal/Teague. I have a great eye for talent and placement and this team is a perfect fit for both of them. Many Hawks fans are not going to know what hit them when the season starts and all of our core is seen together. For those that are Missing Flip Teague is going to show us the new and improved version. The new JC may become some people's favorite player when you see how he meshes with our team.

[buckeye242424]

I've been trying to tell y'all don't sleep on our new guards Jamal/Teague. I have a great eye for talent and placement and this team is a perfect fit for both of them. Many Hawks fans are not going to know what hit them when the season starts and all of our core is seen together. For those that are Missing Flip Teague is going to show us the new and improved version. The new JC may become some people's favorite player when you see how he meshes with our team.

My fingers are crossed you're dead on!

[Crank]

Nice to hear but as Ive said before from his background this is Crawfords first team that hes been on that isnt in absolute chaos .From nutty players (Marbury and Stephen jackson) to coaches and management issues (Isiah and Nelson) . Just to be able to come in and fill in the blanks and not have the teams goals be anything other than winning games. After being in NY and GS I wouldnt be surprised if the guy cried after he found out he was traded to us .

This is his chance to shutup Hollinger and a whole bunch of people and not only that work on that final contract and he doesnt have to do any of that with scoring .Thats not a bad position to be in .

[DrReality]

"If you're watching him in practice, it's almost like he's coasting because he makes it look so effortless," Al Horford said. "You can tell he's trying to come in and get used to everybody and he doesn’t want to step on anyone's toes or anything. But by all means, he can score whenever he wants to and we need that."

This quote is Horf's polite way of saying: "I'm sick and tired Joe Johnson being the guy left to do all the scoring when our offense breaks down because we don't have a fluent system. Adding a one-on-one threat is huge for us because that's what I'm used to in my two years here..."

Well said.

[jerrywest]

"We all look at Jamal as a guy that can score the ball and there's no doubt, he's as good as you can get in that respect," Woodson said. "But he's a much more dynamic player than that, as is [rookie point guard] Jeff Teague. And the sooner the rest of our guys figure out how they can play off of these guys, the more dangerous we'll be."

1. Why did Woody bring up Teague in this conversation? Its not in Woody's DNA to like a rookie so much.

- Is Teague that good?

- Is Woody brown nosing Sund?

- Look at the last sentence. Isn't it Woody's responsibility to make the rest of the guys figure it out?