Jamal Crawford Live Chat w/ Seattle Times

[JJFAN4LF]

Robert Wickwire, Times:

Please send in your questions, Jamal will be here shortly.

Jamal Crawford:

Hey, my name's Jamal. I'm very happy to be here and get to the questions and give you guys some answers. Let's get to it!

[Comment From Eduardo LimaEduardo Lima: ]

After winning the sixth man award on last season, what are your expectations for the next season with the hawks?

Jamal Crawford:

My expectations for next season is go even further in the playoffs. I think our team is really really good. We're the only team who swept Boston last year, and they went to the Finals, so I think we're pretty close.

[Comment From rockrock: ]

do you hear any rumblings from the players in the league about seattle getting a team in the future.

Jamal Crawford:

I think all the players in Seattle want to see a team here. That's what we all grew up on: Shawn Kemp, Detlef Schrempf and Gary Payton, watching those guys. You hear some rumblings and you just hope that it's in the near future.

[Comment From DaveDave: ]

Do you feel like you should be a starter this year? Or are you happy with your current role on the Hawks team?

Jamal Crawford:

Whatever our coach sees fit. I'm more comfortable as a starter, but if it's going to help our team, I have no problem with the sixth-man role.

[Comment From AnthonyAnthony: ]

Jamal, I've been a fan of yours since you entered the league with the Chicago Bulls. It has really been a pleasure to watch your progress as well as your professionalism. You seem to always have a positive attitude despite playing on some rebuilding franchises (CHI, NY, GS) for your first 8 or 9 years in the league. So it's great to see you with Atlanta now, how has changed your game playing on a winning team?

Jamal Crawford:

First off, thank you for all the support over the years. I'm not really sure my game has changed. I just think more people have noticed now that I'm on a winning team. Being on rebuilding teams early in my career has helped me appreciate being on a great team in Atlanta.

[Comment From RPRP: ]

how were you able to come up with your "shake n bake" move?

Jamal Crawford:

It's always been a natural part of my game. Over the years, I've just developed it more and more.

[Comment From england4everengland4ever: ]

How exciting is it to have Joe Johnson signed to an extended contract? Have you had a chance to talk to him about that?

Jamal Crawford:

I just texted him congratulations after he signed. It's important to keep our core guys together. I think our core guys can compete with anybody, and we're excited to have him back.

[Comment From RPRP: ]

what NBA player do you compare yourself to the most? who's game would you consider similar to yours?

Jamal Crawford:

Good question. I think I'm a combination of some players who have played before me. There's some Penny Hardaway, Tim Hardaway and some Nick Van Exel. But no one in the league right now.

[Comment From rickyricky: ]

I'm interested to find out how you decided to support/build the athletic trainers' program in the Seattle Public High Schools?

Jamal Crawford:

I just remember when I was in high school, there wasn't any certified trainers at that time. If you got injured, a parent would run out from the stands and stick your ankle in a bucket of ice. I just thought that it was something that could help put everybody at ease, having a certified trainer who knows what he or she is doing. It takes a lot of pressure off everybody.

[Comment From RichardRichard: ]

How do you feel about the possibility of Shaq coming to Atlanta

Jamal Crawford:

I would be excited to have Shaq come to the Hawks. Shaq is a legend and I think he could really help our team. He knows what it takes to be a champion.

[Comment From tonytony: ]

Do you play pickup hoops with all the seattle area nba players in the summer when you're home? I'll bet there's some good games.

Jamal Crawford:

All the time. We're playing today.

[Comment From ToeKneeToeKnee: ]

how do u feel about larry drew's new offense?

Jamal Crawford:

I haven't seen his new offense yet, but from some of what he showed last year, I know he'll be a really good coach. He's very knowledgeable, he just needed someone to believe in him and give him another shot at being head coach.

[Comment From RichardRichard: ]

Also what do you think about the Miami Big 3?Do you think the division will be tougher and do you think you,Joe,Josh and Al can still take the division?

Jamal Crawford:

The division will definitely be tougher adding the new big three of Miami. But they'll have their hands full playing against us as well.

[Comment From JackJack: ]

What are some of the personalities like in the locker room? Is it all business or a lot of joking around? Who are the pranksters?

Jamal Crawford:

Mike Bibby and Josh Smith are the biggest pranksters I've ever been around with the exception of Nate Robinson. It's the loosest team I've ever been on, by far.

[Comment From SubhasSubhas: ]

JAMAL! LOVE YOUR GAME AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU for all the highlights and wins that you have gotten us off the bench. I just wanna ask who is the best defender you have faced in the league, and also, what do you think of the Big3 in Miami? LETS GO ATL!

Jamal Crawford:

The toughest defender I've had to go against so far would Bruce Bowen. And thank you for the compliment!

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Who Do You Think is the Next BIG Talent To Come Out Of The 206?

Jamal Crawford:

I think there's a few of them. I think Isaiah Thomas, Abdul Gaddy, Tony Wroten, Peyton Siva and Lil Rio (Anrio Adams) from Franklin.

[Comment From jamiejamie: ]

how do you feel about the rook jordan crawford?

Jamal Crawford:

I haven't seen enough of him, but I know he's a really good scorer. We welcome him to our team.

[Comment From MelanieMelanie: ]

Jamal, my sister Kimberly and I wanted to tell you that we love you very much and we can't wait until this upcoming season with you! GO HAWKS. What are you most excited about in terms of the new coach?

Jamal Crawford:

What I'm most excited about with the new coach is the fact that he's so knowledgable. Like I said before, there's no situation on the basketball court that he can't handle, and that gives a team confidence.

[Comment From england4everengland4ever: ]

Tell us about that game last season when Nate R. was with the Knicks and they came to the ATL. Nate and you went wild that game. Was there any friendly trash talk going on as well? You guys dominated.

Jamal Crawford:

We were stretching together before the game started and I told him he was going to win that night, and he didn't believe me. To see what he did in that game after being out for a month, was one of the best games I've ever been a part of.

[Comment From Viet CaoViet Cao: ]

I've been a fan of yours since I saw you play in Rainer Beach. When you were in high school, what player would you say was the hardest to play against?

Jamal Crawford:

When I was at Beach, Doug Wrenn from O'Dea was the best player I played against.

[Comment From BillyBilly: ]

Jamal can you tell the hawks to change the court back to black red and yellow

Jamal Crawford:

I don't know if I have that kind of juice yet.

[Comment From Ty from 509Ty from 509: ]

Fav place to eat in Seattle?

Jamal Crawford:

A couple of my favorite places to eat in Seattle are Sport restaurant and Sea Star in Bellevue. I've been part owner of both for a few years now. I also like Joey's a lot.

[Comment From SusannahSusannah: ]

If Atlanta could recruit any player in the nba (modern day) who would you want to recruit?

Jamal Crawford:

Dwight Howard: I think he's changing the game as far as blocked shots and rebounds.

[Comment From Paul SivesindPaul Sivesind: ]

Jamal, you are my hero, In high school when you were a junior, you crossed me up so bad that I'll never forget it when I played for the Sammamish Totems in Bellevue. I jst wanted to say I follow your every game in the NBA. Are you going to be in Greenlake this weekend for the tournament?

Jamal Crawford:

Thank you. I remember playing against Sammamish. Yeah, I'll stop by Greenlake at some point this weekend.

Thursday July 15, 2010 11:16 Jamal Crawford

[Comment From T-MoneyT-Money: ]

What was it like playing against Jordan? big trash talker?

Jamal Crawford:

It's weird because we had worked out together for a few summers in Chicago, so when I played against him there wasn't too much trash talking. It was fun knowing I was playing against the greatest player in NBA history.

[Comment From MzDiSinclairATLMzDiSinclairATL: ]

Hi Jamal!!! First off I want to say you've been a much needed addition to the team and love to watch you play!!! What do think of before you get on the court? You seem very focused!

Jamal Crawford:

I'm focused, but believe it or not, I'm always a little nervous when I first get on the court -- even when playing pick up. I need to make a good pass or get a steal to break up the nerves.

[Comment From RayRay: ]

First of all us Knick fans back in NY really miss you. How do you work out and get ready for the next season? Even at the level your game is at are there still any parts you try to improve on?

Jamal Crawford:

I just want to be a better player every single year, so I work out on different things. Right now I'm strengthening my body up, getting up a lot of shots, trying to guard the best player I'm playing against in pick up.

[Comment From Leon(GHS)Leon(GHS): ]

How is the whole Hood Classic Feeling??Playing with old teammates/coaches and other players?

Jamal Crawford:

It's a lot of fun, playing against a lot of guys you used to play with in high school. It's even more fun because the community gets to come out and watch. Part of the donations go back to the community, so that's a great thing for all of us.

[Comment From ROCROC: ]

hey jamal big fan of yours, i saw you in a memphis bleek video awhile back, u still cool with the ROC? what was it like hangin around Jay-Z?

Jamal Crawford:

I just talked to Jay-Z yesterday. We check in with each other a lot. He's still one of my biggest mentors. When I was in Chicago, I told Michael Jordan I wanted to meet Jay-Z and he set up the whole thing. We had a shoe together and we own a studio together now.

[Comment From JashaunAgostoJashaunAgosto: ]

Who do you feel is a better basketball player. Kobe or LeBron?

Jamal Crawford:

What's up Jashaun? How is your summer? Right now I think Kobe is the best basketball player in the world. But during the season, I thought it was LeBron.

[Comment From AmyAmy: ]

who gave you the nickname "the difference" and how do you feel about it?

Jamal Crawford:

My agent Eric Goodwin had kinda thrown it out there and then the Hawks PR guy Arthur Triche took it a step further.

[Comment From RonRon: ]

Hi Jamal - What can you tell me about the Seattle Pro Summer League that you are apart of? Games start July 24th at South Sound Athletics - should be a great show of local talent! Who else will be there?

Jamal Crawford:

It will be a great show. I'm also a part owner of South Sound Athletic Gym. Our summer league will be there starting July 24th. You'll see the likes of Nate Robinson, Brandon Roy, Will Conroy, Trey Simmons, Spencer Hawes, Terrence Williams, Marvin Williams, Rodney Stuckey and myself.

[Comment From GarvGarv: ]

Have you ever thought about entering the dunk contest against nate?

Jamal Crawford:

No way! He would embarrass me.

[Comment From MicahMicah: ]

You've played or lived in most of the big basketball cities in the USA- NYC, Chicago, Seattle. How does life in the ATL compare to those cities?

Jamal Crawford:

It's different. I like the feel of Atlanta and how people come out and support you. I'm very happy there and hopefully I'll be there for awhile.

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Could you tell me a little more about the event on Saturday?

Jamal Crawford:

I'm doing basketball camp this week and the event on Saturday is at Seattle Children's Bellevue Clinic and Surgery Center. All the proceeds raised from the camp and this event goes to the athletic trainers program. The event is a big barbeque and auction. You'll be able to mingle with some of your favorite players from the NBA. We'll shoot hoops and just hang out for a few hours. If you want tickets, go to jamalcrawford.org.

[Comment From GuestGuest: ]

Hey Jamal! It's Rachel from St. Louis! Do you have any tips for what you think about during pressure situations? fyi I'm still wearing number 11

Jamal Crawford:

Hey Rach! Glad to see you're still wearing number 11. Are you going to make it to any of our games this year? What I think about in pressure situations is just having fun. That way I don't let the pressure get to me.

[Comment From DerrickDerrick: ]

Hey jamal, do you own a xbox 360 or PS3? If so what kind of games do you play?

Jamal Crawford:

Shockingly, I don't play video games.

Robert Wickwire, Times:

Jamal has time for a few more questions and then has to run to a workout.

[Comment From RichardRichard: ]

Ive been debating with this guy- Who's better: Joe Johnson or Brandon Roy?

Jamal Crawford:

You put me in a tough spot because I play with Joe, but Brandon is one of my best friends. I'll have to plead the fifth on that one.

[Comment From Jay Tee ( RB class of 76)Jay Tee ( RB class of 76): ]

Jamal, what is your favorite memory of playing for the RB Vikings?

Jamal Crawford:

My favorite memory of playing for Rainier Beach is winning the state championship in 1998. It was against Olympia and Mark Bigelow.

[Comment From SubhasSubhas: ]

JC, one more thing, I really do hope you will stay with us beyond the 2010-2011 season!!! We really love you here in the ATL. Do you plan to finish your career here?

Jamal Crawford:

That's a great question. I've been thinking about that a lot this summer. I would love to do an extension with the Hawks this summer. But if not, I don't know!

Jamal Crawford:

Sorry, I have to go work out, but I wish I could stay here with you guys all day. Maybe there will be a part two, if you guys will have me back!

Robert Wickwire, Times:

Thanks for all the questions and a special thanks to Jamal for taking time to chat today.

[HAWKSFAN89]

Jamal is always so sincere. I really hope he stays here TBH, or maybe start him at the 2 and move JJ to SF.

[YP2K]

A paper across the country has better stuff than the paper here? Not surprising . . .