Jamal Crawford Set To Make Philips Arena Return Wednesday Night

by Kris Willis on Jan 18, 2012 1:00 PM EST

Wednesday night will mark the return of Jamal Crawford to Philips Arena for the first time since signing with the Trail Blazers this off season. Jamal enjoyed a successful two-year run with the Hawks and was a big part of the team's on court success.

The Hawks acquired Crawford in a trade with the Golden State Warriors for Speedy Claxton and Acie Law. The trade was viewed as an upside trade for the Hawks since they were able to unload Claxton's contract and Law had seemingly fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. Interestingly the Hawks immediately asked Crawford to become the team's sixth man which was a role he accepted likely because he had never played for a winning team.

Then Hawks coach Mike Woodson successfully cast Crawford into the Vinnie Johnson role giving him ample opportunity to do the things that made him successful. Woodson put Crawford on the attack and the result was good for both the Hawks and Crawford who was named as the Sixth Man of the Year. During that 2010 season, Hawks general manager Rick Sund hosted a group of Hawks bloggers and said that he was surprised at how well Crawford had fit in to his new role.

Crawford had an up and down season in his second year with the Hawks as he was forced to adjust to new coach Larry Drew who wanted a more balanced attack. Jamal was asked to be more of a facilitator for the offense under Drew and he tried to adapt but his season clearly wasn't as productive as the 2010 campaign. He was however a key part of Atlanta's first round victory over the Orlando Magic in the playoffs.

Without a contract extension from the Hawks, Jamal was forced to seek other employment this off season. He often stated that his first choice was to remain in Atlanta but the Hawks' salary structure and reluctance to go into the luxury tax prevented them from making a competitive offer. Atlanta instead chose to give more time to Jeff Teague and has brought in vets like Tracy McGrady, Jannero Pargo and Willie Green to provide backcourt depth. So far it appears to have worked for Atlanta.

Crawford comes into Wednesday's game averaging 12 points a game in just over 24 minutes per for the Trail Blazers as their sixth man. Crawford's shooting hasn't come around yet (34 percent) but Atlanta fans know all to well of how quickly he can heat up. No doubt he will be looking to erase his recent struggles with a solid performance against his old club.

That is what Larry Drew's squad will be trying to prevent tonight when the Hawks host the Blazers in a nationally televised game on ESPN.

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Comments

This should be a luke warm reception.

by jdewayneatl on Jan 18, 2012 1:18 PM EST reply actions

Welcome, J-turnover!

by Darrell30909 on Jan 18, 2012 1:35 PM EST reply actions

That's a good one

I’m taking that back to the BE boards.

Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.

by Doctor Worm on Jan 18, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

National TV

I assume we play an uninspired game and lose by 30 tonight since we are on national TV?

by frootbooty on Jan 18, 2012 1:36 PM EST reply actions

They have a reason to get jacked this game.

So they should come out firing on all cylinders.

by jdewayneatl on Jan 18, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Does Jamal play point or shooting guard for Blazers?

by ATLpaul on Jan 18, 2012 1:43 PM EST reply actions

Little of both

mostly PG on our second unit though.

Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.

by Doctor Worm on Jan 18, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

Both. Basically the same as he played here.

by jdewayneatl on Jan 18, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

I am sure he will want to score tonight - make that score a lot tonight

by ATLpaul on Jan 18, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

I'm excited for this game

should be a good matchup, the Blazers and the Hawks seem like doppelganger teams in opposite conferences.

Johnson, Johnson, Smith, Smith, Thomas, Williams, and Babbitt: the Blazer's law firm.

by Doctor Worm on Jan 18, 2012 1:58 PM EST reply actions

I love JC but

T-Mac + Willie + Vlad / Pargo > Jamal

Any and all new Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer factoids must be approved by Ivan Johnson

by a hooter's baby on Jan 18, 2012 2:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Essentially a deeper bench for less money

Can’t argue with that. Though, I miss him, his dribbling and crazy shots, and his smooth as silk tongue in after the game talks

by ATLpaul on Jan 18, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

I've tried my best to catch a few blazer games this year to watch for some patent Crawford ankle breaking moves

But every time I watch, he’s been a bit underwhelming. Gerald Wallace provides a lot of the highlights for that team, when I have watched. He reminds me of a Smoove from Portland with his athletic ability.

Here’s to hoping JC1 has the same game that JC2 had in his first game back at Philips.

If the Hawks win it all.........I will shave MY eyebrows.

by Hawk n the Ham on Jan 18, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

I drink to that

by ATLpaul on Jan 18, 2012 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

i hope he goes into one of jos shooting slumps

And i hope if he is guarded by Teague we attack him every play

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 18, 2012 3:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Espn has an article on what teams are contenders/pretenders.

Blazers and Hawks are both in that article. All the writers list Portland as contenders, and the Hawks as pretenders. Would an ATL victory tonight change their minds?

Naw, this is espn. They would just find another source of doubt for their reason to put down an Atlanta pro team.

If the Hawks win it all.........I will shave MY eyebrows.

by Hawk n the Ham on Jan 18, 2012 3:20 PM EST reply actions

Yep

It doesn’t help that no one in the media watches us, and when they do, we lose by 30 points and look like a jr. high team

by frootbooty on Jan 18, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

and remember

We have the worst fans in the nation

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 18, 2012 3:52 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

These are the same writers that picked the Knicks as contenders...

by Rufus1 on Jan 18, 2012 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

I made the mistake of clicking on a youtube link that said Bruce Bowen talks about the Hawks

He was talking about surprise teams, which teams had risen the most and which had fallen the most. Of course we were the team that couldn’t sustain our current pace

by frootbooty on Jan 18, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Was that before or after Al's injury...

Becaused that matters.

by Rufus1 on Jan 18, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

The Hawks could be 65-1....

and the writers fo ESPN would pick the Hakws to get swept in the playoffs.

by Rufus1 on Jan 18, 2012 3:58 PM EST reply actions

+1

by jdewayneatl on Jan 18, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

playoffs?

even with us winning the division they would still be iffy if we made the playoffs

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 18, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

$100 says he has a 4 pt. play tonight.

I’m feeling lucky tonight.

Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World

by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Jan 18, 2012 4:47 PM EST reply actions

Not if Ivan fouls him

by frootbooty on Jan 18, 2012 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

My day is ruined. Somebody reminded me that I have to watch Gerald Wallace tonight.

I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl

by Duff_Man on Jan 18, 2012 4:53 PM EST reply actions

cheer up

he still has the hair and the mouth piece

Ivan Johnson does not buy ground beef, he just takes a whole cow, runs it through his beard, and fully cooked hamburgers come out.

by Throw on Jan 18, 2012 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

I want to see Ivan on GWallace..

by Rufus1 on Jan 18, 2012 5:03 PM EST up reply actions

He plays like a better Josh Smith. Too quick to stop skashing + crazy gambling defense. Well At least he used to. Whats not to love :D

* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}

* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *

by PointGuardSlim on Jan 18, 2012 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

Love Kris

I’m still waiting on this ’we’re gonna get killed’ for letting Jamal go from the media. We love Ivan Johnson about as much as we loved Jamal in my opinion.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 18, 2012 5:21 PM EST reply actions

If the Hawks lose this

Jamal could be 0-10 and there will be an “I told you so” article

Any and all new Chuck Norris and Jack Bauer factoids must be approved by Ivan Johnson

by a hooter's baby on Jan 18, 2012 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

Well he might hit the winning free throws after Ivan fouls him for 3.

* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}

* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *

by PointGuardSlim on Jan 18, 2012 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Its happened countless times already

and will tonight again if Jamal has a good game

@Kris_Willis
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by Kris Willis on Jan 18, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions

Most of the negative preseason predictions were centered around replacing Crawford

Its not like anyone has written that the Hawks were wise to let him walk

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by Kris Willis on Jan 18, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions

please send me the links

I haven’t seen one article anywhere and I know I’ve asked – where people were killing the Hawks for letting a backup SG walk away from a $9M payday or even balking at his now $5M pay day. I have seen them say – we wonder where the bench scoring will come from, but not one that say – hey, the Hawks will regret letting Jamal Crawford go. Not one and I like you do look for it, so I’m not saying this for the I told you so factor, but I just don’t believe it exists and if I’m wrong – I’ll put it in a Honesty Corner that I’m dead wrong. Right now, I just think you’re used to negative Hawks postings and are assuming that’s what would happen, but I think most smart columnists realize that Crawford wasn’t really all that valuable for his price. I mean we’re paying V-Rad, McGrady, Pargo, Ivan, and Green what we’d pay for ONE Crawford. Who would think that is a bad haul? And I’m a dude who thinks we could actually give Pargo and Green back. That’s a whole bench for the price of Crawford. Sorry, but Crawford was just not that critical to winning anything of significance here and him leaving wasn’t that big a deal. In fact, it’s a net positive as far as I’m concerned b/c then, I’d be watching Jeff Teague getting about 10-15 less minutes and absolutely no crunch time minutes.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 19, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions

Sekou's article is linked in story on this blog

Also NBA TV panned the Hawks after the Charlotte preseason game with Dennis Scott expressively pointing out the loss of Jamal Crawford. I saw the same from the ESPN crew. No one is going to pan the move with the Hawks 11-4. I’d say it would be much different if they were 4-11. Regardless of the record it was the right move to let Jamal go.

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by Kris Willis on Jan 19, 2012 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

11-4. Good offseason moves. Joe plays big vs Crawford. Soaking it in. This is definitely a high point for this core.

* Hawks trade {Al Horford + protected 2nd rounder} for {Perimeter F Jon Leuer and C Andrew Bogut}

* Jeff Teague * Joe Johnson* Jon Leuer * Josh Smith * Andrew Bogut *

by PointGuardSlim on Jan 19, 2012 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Different point

First, is Sekou’s article in THIS blog or just on the site? If so, can you help me not have to search for that? As for the comment, you’re right they aren’t going to complain about it now and I know you agree with me that it was time for him to go, but our disagreement was about media comments in the offseason. I conceded that you would hear someone make the comment (everyone has a mouthpiece, blog, show, etc), but that it would not be the national media consensus that Jamal Crawford leaving would be a mistake and the fact that I can’t find a lot of articles preseason saying so – is my point. Now, if I’m missing some thing on that point, point me in the right direction. And for sake of clarity – questioning where the points will come from is not panning the Hawks to me for the decision. Even I questioned where the points were coming from, but I just knew value, defense, and the fact that someone can score 8-9 and play defense and that we’d be better off.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 19, 2012 12:51 PM EST up reply actions

and again I say they are there but aren't at the forefront because this team is 11-4

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by Kris Willis on Jan 19, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions

But that's not what we started with Kris

You nail me when you think I’m moving the goalposts. What you said was – when we don’t sign Jamal Crawford back, people are going to roast the Hawks. I said poppycock. Now, will someone wait until the postseason when we lose a series and say – shoulda kept Jamal? Sure, there’s always one of those. Do I really believe that that’s going to be the consensus as you said it would be? Absolutely not. But as for this initial roasting – it didn’t happen. Like I said, it wouldn’t and we can end this debate by you producing the ‘Hawks didn’t sign Jamal and that’s why they suck’ articles you said were gonna happen.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 19, 2012 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

Season isn't over

@Kris_Willis
+Kris Willis
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by Kris Willis on Jan 19, 2012 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

And in all the writeups

I didn’t see anything about him b/c in the small amount of writeups and predictions about the Hawks – writing about Crawford hasn’t been high when there are bigger stories like the players that actually matter toward us winning a title. So, media wrote what I expected, which was either nothing about Crawford at all or simply – we don’t know how they will replace him, which no one did. No one knew how Ivan, V-Rad, McGrady’s health, Green, and Pargo would fit and what they would do. ONly thing I would have predicted in the offseason is that we’d play better defense and that if we didn’t match the scoring at least these other players can’t be worse at rebounding, passing, stealing, or defending than Jamal, so overall – we’re getting a better return on our money. I knew that would happen and it is happening. No one would trade what we have now for what we had last year with Jamal.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 19, 2012 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

You knew that but I wouldn't call anyone that writes on this site other than Jason mainstream media

By the way it is easy for you to make these assumptions after the fact with the team playing well.

@Kris_Willis
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facebook.com/krisawillis

by Kris Willis on Jan 19, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions

that's not fair, Kris

I said very clearly – we will be fine and that Jamal was just a gunner. Been saying that for years, so don’t make this about the team playing well. I own up to my failings (and trumpet when I’m right). I always knew that getting rid of Jamal was a NECESSITY for us to get better. So, to say it’s easy to say when it’s happening is not fair. I put my neck on the line for what I believe all the time. Like my contention 3 years ago that Josh was the best and most talented player on the Hawks by far, which I was wrong about the best part (still think I’m right on the most talented) or my contention that Al Horford isn’t going to matter regarding our regular aspiration to be a potential top 3 or 4 seed. And yes, I know the slump is coming, but that’s a bold thought with great potential for me to be wrong as I can be. So, don’t try to discredit my point that Jamal wasn’t going to matter and that no one outside of Atlanta thought he was so critical to our success. A factor yes – critical – no.

Hawk Str8Talk

by Hawk Str8Talk on Jan 19, 2012 12:56 PM EST up reply actions