Memphis Grizzlies forward Jae Crowder fired back at ESPN analyst and former NBA player Tim Legler after the latter criticized his judgment during a late skirmish on Wednesday.
Boasting an 18-point lead, Crowder stole an inbounds pass with 53.5 seconds left in regulation and squared up for a 3-pointer, causing New York Knicks guard Elfrid Payton to foul him in the act of shooting and earn a consequent ejection.
Legler, among others, believed Crowder had broken the game's unwritten rules, which are to let the time expire with a lead this big. The veteran three-and-D specialist was in disagreement, wanting to play until the final whistle.
He barked back at Legler, who clowned Crowder for taking such an unnecessary approach.
AYE TIM WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I ONLY PLAY ONE WAY AND THATS HARD TIL THE BUZZER SOUNDS. IM SORRY IF IT DISGUSTS YOU. I KNOW KNICKS ARE YOUR TEAM BUT U SHOULD TELL THEM TO PLAY HARDER AND LESS TALKING.! š¤·š¾āāļø https://t.co/fIRXKBGJmK
ā JAE CROWDER (@CJC9BOSS) January 30, 2020
It looks like the two have philosophical differences here, but it's important to know how their games differ.
Legler was a sharpshooter in his day, a role player tasked with no more than canning the open shot. He never averaged over 10 points or two rebounds or two assists in any of his 11 NBA seasons.
Crowder makes his living with defense and stopping the opposing team's best player. His game is everything the Grizzlies had lost with the departures of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, the last vestiges of the Grit āN' Grind culture.
One could argue it was completely unnecessary to steal the inbounds pass with such a large lead, but some players like Crowder don't look at the scoreboard, but rather react to openings ā that steal was an easy nab against an uninterested Knicks team that had already laid down its sword.
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