Jordan Crawford

[Nivek]

I see very little so far this season to indicate statistically or from just watching to suggest Crawford's decision-making has changed at all. His shooting percentages are about the same, his turnovers are up, his usage rate is about the same, his offensive rating is even worse. His rebounding is MUCH better and his assists are up, but I doubt either number will persist.

More subjectively -- during one of his better shooting games this season, I commented on Twitter that his shot selection seemed the same as it did in previous years (ridiculously long 3s, etc.), but that some of those bad shots were going in. I predicted that those bad shots would stop going in, which is what I think we're seeing.

It's still early in the season, of course, but Crawford looks to me like he's about the same as he's been in previous seasons. Only big differences are rebounds and assists (positive) and turnovers (negative).

It's probably pointless to discuss changes in Crawford's game based on so few minutes -- what he does tonight might change his numbers significantly.

That said, I think you are demonstrably wrong so far -- his ball control hasn't really changed. I.e. rebounds + steals minus turnovers is almost exactly as it was last season. But he's shooting more 3s at a slightly higher %, and his 2pt % is up as well. His WS40 is at 5.3 -- vs. 2.1 last year. You may prefer your system, but per position ws40 correlates extremely closely w/ wins and losses (i.e. effects on same).

After tonight he may be back to 2.1 of course. Or back up at 6.3 where he was before last night's game. I don't see any hope for Crawford ever to be a good player, but if he could just be below average rather than hideous, that'd be something.[/quote]

Well, if I'm "demonstrably wrong" about Crawford, I guess we're in the same boat considering you posted basically the same stuff I did, but with different wording.

Did I post in Russian or something?

[GhostsOfGil]

Maybe it's just the failure of my eye test then. Crawford was maddening last year. Or maybe I've just been desensitized to it.

He's rebounding and assisting at a much higher rate but his usage rate and shooting %s are about the same.

Honestly, I feel the same way you do AFM but im starting to think it's just because we've seen less of him. His minutes are down significantly, this year.

[AFM]

At least he's been trying to get to the basket.... No one else plays aggressively, save maybe Martell....

[hands11]

Crawford in at PG. Team down by 20 something and dead in the water. Heartless. Kevin S sucking for 3 games in a row.

Then something changed. Got it down to 3 or 4. Kevin was balln. Martin nailing 3 balls. They still lost. But Crawford at PG changed the way the entire team played. A team needs a PG they believe in. That wasn't Price or Pargo.

We will see if he can keep it up but I thought he should have been the starting PG from the start. He has been playing a more balanced team game all year. And given the chance to lead the team, he did the same.

6-11 3 for 5 from 3. 6-6 from the line. 7 assist. 35 minutes. 21 pts. 4 rebounds 1 steal. Not a bad line.

And Kevin sucked until Craw was at PG. Kevin finished with 16 pts. Almost all in the late part of the game.
And Martin started lighting with 3s. 4 for 4 from 3. 14pt in 10 minutes.

Hopefully Crawford gets the start at PG next game with Beal. I said I thought Crawford could help Beal get it going. I want to see him get a chance to do it. We saw what Price could do. Time to make a change.

[fishercob]

Great stat line last night. Trade him NOW.

[payitforward]

I see very little so far this season to indicate statistically or from just watching to suggest Crawford's decision-making has changed at all. His shooting percentages are about the same, his turnovers are up, his usage rate is about the same, his offensive rating is even worse. His rebounding is MUCH better and his assists are up, but I doubt either number will persist.

More subjectively -- during one of his better shooting games this season, I commented on Twitter that his shot selection seemed the same as it did in previous years (ridiculously long 3s, etc.), but that some of those bad shots were going in. I predicted that those bad shots would stop going in, which is what I think we're seeing.

It's still early in the season, of course, but Crawford looks to me like he's about the same as he's been in previous seasons. Only big differences are rebounds and assists (positive) and turnovers (negative).

It's probably pointless to discuss changes in Crawford's game based on so few minutes -- what he does tonight might change his numbers significantly.

That said, I think you are demonstrably wrong so far -- his ball control hasn't really changed. I.e. rebounds + steals minus turnovers is almost exactly as it was last season. But he's shooting more 3s at a slightly higher %, and his 2pt % is up as well. His WS40 is at 5.3 -- vs. 2.1 last year. You may prefer your system, but per position ws40 correlates extremely closely w/ wins and losses (i.e. effects on same).

After tonight he may be back to 2.1 of course. Or back up at 6.3 where he was before last night's game. I don't see any hope for Crawford ever to be a good player, but if he could just be below average rather than hideous, that'd be something.

Well, if I'm "demonstrably wrong" about Crawford, I guess we're in the same boat considering you posted basically the same stuff I did, but with different wording.

Did I post in Russian or something?

[/quote]
No, but you got the "quote" marks all wrong, so that you are saying what I said.... Wait a minute, maybe that was intentional! :0

I should have been more specific -- it was your remark on shooting percentages that I thought was off. After one more game it's even farther off!

Overall, we have the same take on Jordan Crawford. Until the sample size is larger, lets just assume that this season will look a lot like last season for him.

[Nivek]

I see what you're saying on shooting percentages. My "about the same" line was a nod toward the limited sample size. He was (and now more so) shooting a better percentage, but close enough to previous levels that a handful of shots could swing his percentages significantly in one direction or the other.

For example, last season Crawford shot .451 from two-point range -- this year he's shooting .486. The difference in actual shots: 1.7 made field goals. One additional miss and he's at .459. His 3pt% this season is .357, up from .289 last year. The difference: about 2 made 3s. Essentially, the "improved" shooting so far amounts to 4 additional made shots in 65 attempts (including last night's game).

All that said, our view of him is similar.

Here's my excuse on the fouled up quote -- I was tapping on an iPad. I pretty much hate touch screens, but my wife was using the only working iPad keyboard.

As a total aside -- watching games with Wiz fans via Twitter has been fun this season.

[pancakes3]

Won't happen. He's the Andray Blatche of guards. Tons of potential and moments where he flashes. He may even string together a few games but if he was going to be good, he would be. He's got 2 full seasons under his belt and he can't top 40% shooting from the field (sub 30% from 3). He could have improved his jumper easily to set himself up as the kick-out for Wall but he didn't. The recent "hot streak" that has afforded him 43% shooting is a result of 2 fluke games out of 7. He'll always take more 3's than FT's, take ill-advised shots, and have a severe case of the tunnel vision.

Cherry-picking games here and there should not affect anyone's decision.

[tontoz]

He's got 2 full seasons under his belt and he can't top 40% shooting from the field (sub 30% from 3). He could have improved his jumper easily to set himself up as the kick-out for Wall but he didn't. .

Not really two full seasons. In his rookie season he hardly played until he was traded here. Last year it was a shortened season with no summer league, no training camp and no preseason.

I think we need to wait awhile before we make a final call on him.

[DCZards]

Not really two full seasons. In his rookie season he hardly played until he was traded here. Last year it was a shortened season with no summer league, no training camp and no preseason.

I think we need to wait awhile before we make a final call on him.

Agreed. Yes, Jordan is very often frustrating to watch and some of his shots (and fouls) are of the dumbest variety. But he's also one of the reasons that the Zards have even been competitive in games this year. You can count on Crawford scratching and competing from start to finish. I love that about him.

Let's see what happens when Crawford is truly a 6th man playing behind (and with) Wall and a more experienced and confident Beal.

[hands11]

Still a small sample size but numbers holding two games later. Some up. Some down a little.

TS% .538
eFG% .508
AST% 30.7

FG% .431
3P% .357

Per 36
18.7 pts 5.7 Asts 6.4 Rbs Shot attempts down 2.5 per 36 from last year.

Shooting less but a better percentage.

And he played a few games on a bad ankle. Crawford deserves some props. He gets slammed plenty here. He is playing better and has shown some improvement and maturity. In a small sample size.

[AFM]

I give Crawford some props tonight. Able to create something from nothing. Pretty sure that violates a Law of Physics.

[miller31time]

Still a small sample size but numbers holding two games later. Some up. Some down a little.

TS% .538
eFG% .508
AST% 30.7

FG% .431
3P% .357

Per 36
18.7 pts 5.7 Asts 6.4 Rbs Shot attempts down 2.5 per 36 from last year.

Shooting less but a better percentage.

And he played a few games on a bad ankle. Crawford deserves some props. He gets slammed plenty here. He is playing better and has shown some improvement and maturity. In a small sample size.

Agreed. As one of the guys here who was initially a big JC fan, then tampered off big-time last season when I saw essentially no progression and the same chucker attitude, I'll certainly give him props. He seems to be the only competent basketball player we have right now.

Yeah, the inner Chuckford comes out every once in a while but on the whole, he's making entirely better decisions with the basketball and putting to use that surprisingly good passing game of his. He's also not getting a lot of respect from the refs right now (it's something that's earned) so I feel like his free throw attempts should be higher as would his efficiency.

Overall, one of the few bright spots for this team right now -- the emergence of Jordan Crawford as a potential good 6th man option for our team if we can build it properly.

[DCZards]

Yeah, the inner Chuckford comes out every once in a while but on the whole, he's making entirely better decisions with the basketball and putting to use that surprisingly good passing game of his. He's also not getting a lot of respect from the refs right now (it's something that's earned) so I feel like his free throw attempts should be higher as would his efficiency.

Overall, one of the few bright spots for this team right now -- the emergence of Jordan Crawford as a potential good 6th man option for our team if we can build it properly.

Agreed. Crawford is looking more and more like the potentially solid 6th man and combo guard that many of us hope he can become.

[tontoz]

In only 23 minutes Crawford is averaging 12 pts, 4 assists (no small feat on this team) and 3.5 rebounds. Small sample size but still it seems like he is the only guy on the team that is playing respectably.