Jamal Crawford has no intentions to retire, despite his shooting numbers showing he's likely tip-toeing the end of the line in his recent season with the Phoenix Suns.
Crawford was at one point in danger of going unsigned throughout this season before the Suns agreed to sign him to a one-year deal. Despite his less-than-favorable time with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017-18, Crawford quickly acclimated to playing alongside a young core and backing up one of the best scorers at his position in fourth-year phenom Devin Booker.
His minutes (18.6 per game) are even lower than the prior season and his scoring numbers (6.6 points per game) are the lowest since his rookie season in the league. Yet if you ask Crawford, that doesn't signify hanging them up just yet:
“Oh, no,” Crawford told Gina Mizell of The Athletic following Monday’s shootaround. “That’s the part I hate — the perception because of how things went this year. You may look at the numbers and (see) I’m only taking six shots a game. I think it’s to be applauded (for me to) say, ‘Hey, when I go in, I’m not going to jack up every shot.’
“This is the most assists (3.5) I’ve averaged (since 2008-09). I’m truly trying to see others grow. I think we should look at that part of it. I’m passing more than I ever have.”
Crawford is known to be an excellent mentor and an even better teammate, and while his future is uncertain past this year, his attitude is right where it needs to be — still eager to help a team, even at 39 years of age.
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