Why doesn't Jordan Crawford get more minutes
by NYCHawksFan on Dec 15, 2010 10:21 PM EST
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PrintFor some reason, JC2 has gotten less minutes ever since Joe Johnson went out with an injury and it doesn't make sense to me. Mo Evans became Joe's replacement on most nights, and he hasn't been very productive ever since his minutes dropped when Jamal was acquired, which was over a year ago.
Jamal and Bibby are both streaky shooters and weak perimeter defenders, but I guess you have to take the good with the bad with them because when they're on, their offensive production and Bibby's leadership and clutch play is very valuable. But there are nights when they struggle on offense, and even more nights where they struggle on defense, and it makes you wonder if JC2 would be able to contribute if he was given a chance.
Also, Jamal may be on his way out so it would be nice for his possible replacement to gain some experience. I often think if Teague was given more minutes last year, he would be more productive this year, but who knows.
So I ask you, why doesn't Jordan Crawford get more minutes? Is it because he's a rookie? Is it because he was selected late in the first round? If that's the case, you don't have to look far to see a rookie, who was selected even later than him in the draft, contributing to a team who is currently neck and neck with the Hawks. Landry Fields was given the opportunity to start in NY, he took advantage of the opportunity, he's played great and he even won Rookie of the Month honors in November. Is JC2's lack of minutes just a case of a player being selected by a team that generally doesn't give their rookies a chance? Is there something going on behind the scenes? Is he injured? Is he being punished for something? Is he showing up late for practices? Is he missing practices?
I'm curious to know how everyone else feels about his lack of minutes. And if it's a case of something going on behind the scenes, hopefully someone with more info can shed some light on the situation.
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I can only assume...
That LD has a good reason for him to be ridding the pine. He may not know the offense yet – that’s my guess.
I think
Its because LeKiller plays too much like Jamal, but doesn’t have the Difference’s resume. JC2 can’t get away with the same stuff the vets do. Same reason Jeff Teague can’t get minutes.
Yeah, he definitely doesn't have Jamal's resume..
but it seems like he can put up points in a hurry in similar Jamal fashion, and I think he plays better defense and might be slightly more unselfish than Jamal.
Good questions
And we should add Teague to the mix too. At this point, it is probable we lose Jamal. So not to give some playing time to JC2 is crazy. Particularly on nights when we could use some energy. Arguably we would have lost the game with Pacers if not for Teague and Damien play. Against Detroit, LD went into his shell again.
But then again, I can’t fault LD, as he probably is fighting for his job, and just like Woody, finds himself wanting to get wins with proven players than discovering good or bad with youth. Ultimately, this is the fault of ownership group that didn’t want to bring in a named coach with some job security/extended contract, to allow the coach the freedom to play the inexperienced players.
I'm really glad to see Teague has been getting more minutes too.
I know he’s gonna have his share of turnovers, but ever since last year, I thought he might be the perfect PG for ATL because he has the speed to push the ball and the Hawks have the athleticism to run the break with him and finish.
Yeah, Teague really had a breakout game in Indiana, which made it even more confusing that he didn’t get more time in Detroit. Detroit looked like they were planning on abusing our perimeter defense from the first two plays of the game, and they did. I think JC2 could have done a better job of sticking with T-Mac in that 4th, but who knows.
I was glad to see JC2 finally get some minutes in Boston, but he looked really anxious and jumpy, probably because he was finally getting some minutes and it was a nationally televised game. I remember he overthrew 2 really bad passes to his teammates, but that’s exactly why I wish he would play more. I think he needs to get comfortable with this team, and like you said, Jamal may be on his way out, so we can’t expect him to immediately fill his shoes if he never sees any action.
I get your point with LD too, and personally I think he has done a better job than Woody as far as going deeper into the bench is concerned even though he knows his job relies heavily on improving a team that may have already reached its ceiling, so every win is very important, but then it makes you wonder what the deal is with the Horford treatment. Against Boston, of all teams, Horford finishes with 3 fouls in 26 minutes. If I was LD, I wouldn’t sit him out for heavy minutes until at least his 4th foul in the 3rd quarter. If he wants to win, he has to start trusting Al.
Yeah I’d like see JC2 get more minutes as well. Apparently it wasn’t just Woody who didn’t grasp the concept of developing young talent. It must be an organizational thing.
I definitely get your point, and I know everyone wants to win now...
so going with proven players is the safe way to go, but I think giving these guys some more minutes can benefit the team in the long run. Also, it seems like LD likes playing around with the matchups in each game, which is great, and I feel like going with Teague over Bibby, or Jordan over Jamal might be the best bet to get those wins on certain nights. Not as starters, but down the stretch, if Bibby and Jamal can’t stay with their men, I think Teague and JC2 would be a great option to turn to.
Same here..
I think LD has done a better job of utilizing his bench, but you’re right, it seems like the young guys in ATL always get the short end of the stick. I’m curious to see if he goes to the bench less and less as the season goes on, or what he decides to do if Jamal ends up getting traded.
Baffling
The most baffling thing is that he – JC2 does not even dress up for games lately. He is in street clothes…Hard to get minutes when you are in coat and tie for games.
I kind of saw why LD doesn`t use JC2 in the Boston game
When he got the ball, he shoots it.
yes, he can drain three lights out, but it just reduces the ball movement that LD wants.
He is a Fan exciting player than making a coach happy player, same thing said for Teague with Flashy Dunks but lots of turnovers and fouls.
Not in my opinion.
I wouldn’t give up on a guy because of one game. No doubt, that was his worst performance. He threw two balls away on simple passes and went 1 for 3, knocked down a 3, and two shots rimmed out. But he didn’t play for a while until that game, and if you don’t give a player any minutes, you’re gonna have to expect him to be either rusty or anxious when he finally gets a chance. The more games he sits, the less ready he’ll be when they call on him.
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