April 4, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Crawford (55) talks to NBA referee Tom Washington (49) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Kings 102-69. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Take a look at this picture. On the left is unsigned free agent, Jordan Crawford. On the right, Tom Washington. It looks like they are in conversation…
Crawford:
Hey ref, the streets are talking and I may not be around here much longer. What’s up?
Washington:
I don’t know but maybe you’ll get mentioned in one of the Chicago Bulls rumors or something. Everyone seems to get caught up in it.
Here we are again, another player and another chapter to the ledger of the endless Chicago Bulls rumors. Welcome back Pippen Peoples to another episode of Chicago Bulls rumors. I am your esteemed host, Ronald Agers, Editor of Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Bulls news, previews and reviews.
Well Pippen Peoples, with the NBA free agency period largely in most teams rear view mirror, there are some business left for other teams. These teams, which include the Chicago Bulls are busy finishing up their roster spots of the league minimum of thirteen. The Chicago Bulls sit right now at twelve players. With that one roster spot comes a whole bunch of Chicago Bulls rumors that goes with it.
Well this columns special guest on this episode of Pippen Ain’t Easy’ Chicago Bulls rumors happens to be…
Jordan Crawford.
Jordan Crawford gives me a strange vibe for some reason. You hear his name a lot and most of the time you hear scorer somewhere in the conversation.
Looking at the numbers here, there is substance to this conversation. Jordan Crawford averaged 11.0 points, 3.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds last season while spending time with the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. Crawford shot 41.5% from the field, 31.6% from the land of three and 86.4% from the free throw line.
Now in the postseason for the Warriors, Crawford fell off the cliff scoring just 6.2 points, 1.5 rebounds in nine minutes. He shot poorly as well, shooting 36.4% from the field while bricking 28.6% from the land of the extra point.
Now Jordan Crawford is looking for his fifth team in five years. Crawford has played for the Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors in his four-year career. He has career averages of 12.2 points, 3.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 40.5% from the field and 30.6% in threes.
According to Charlie Adams of Hoops Rumors, the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets are interested in Crawford.
Which leads to the question…Why is this dude still unsigned this late in the offseason? Is he a hired gun that can be a sparkplug off your bench like Nate Robinson OR is he a gunner that can’t shoot?
Let’s check out Charlie Adams’ take…
"It’s possible that the Creative Artists Agency client is holding out for more than the minimum salary, which is more than any of these clubs can offer him, as Hoops Rumors details. However, his lack of playing time in Golden State might have hindered his chances at drawing anything above that sum, so he might have to settle on such an amount."
Let’s check out what I see looking at Jordan Crawford’s game…
This goes out to Jordan Crawford, or any player who is a career double figure scorer who is playing for the same amount of teams as years in the league. Your game has flaws. GLARING ones. Look this guy can score. This guy can play basketball. But this is the NBA. Everyone can play in the NBA. This is about efficiency in the realm of the team concept. Crawford can make difficult shots as well as anyone. Most of the time it is against the shot clock. Any team will take a flier on a player that can create his own shot. The only issue with Crawford is that his talents come to the forefront at the expense of the offensive schemes of the teams he plays for.
Believe me Pippen Peoples there is a difference. Let’s take a look at the difference.
Let’s take a Kevin Durant or LeBron James for an example, (for anyone starting to think I’m comparing these two to Crawford, don’t embarrass yourselves by saying so in the comments section) these guys represent two of the top five top scorers in the league. But what sets them apart from the other stars of the league is the efficiency of how they do it. Both players shoot better than 50% from the field and shoot well from the line.
LeBron James shows his efficiency within the realm of the offense. He knows to make the right play to get everyone on the floor involved. He knows that he can get any shot that he wants but he uses his game to make the game easier for his teammates. He was efficient enough to help Miami make four straight NBA Finals and win two.
What set Kevin Durant from LeBron James for the MVP was the fact that Durant not only shot 50% from the field, but he shot 40% from the three-point line and around 90% from the line. It was the uncanny efficiency of how he scores the basketball. Plus with a shoot first, second, drive to the basket and pass the ball when all else fails point guard like Russell Westbrook, Durant’s efficiency no doubt makes him the “Baddest” in the world right now.
Do the Bulls need this Jordan Crawford?
I actually like Jordan Crawford better than E’Twaun Moore who played for the Orlando Magic last year, but no. The Chicago Bulls don’t need him. Last year? Possibly. This year with all of the offensive weapons, his game with the tunnel vision of a night train, he would be a disruption to an offense that will be evolving all year-long.
Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all of the Chicago Bulls rumors who may get the final roster spot. It’s starting to be a bigger saga than Carmelo Anthony and his decision to start the free agency season off in the first place. Like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy. Follow us on Twitter:@ BullsBeatBlog.