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Both players are 3x 6MOY. Both players received 6MOY votes in exactly 6 other seasons. Both players were scoring specialist combo guards with outstanding dribble creation. Both players were liabilities defensively. Both players were journeymen who lasted 17+ seasons in the league.

The comparison is so obvious that I'm sure it's been done- probably on several occasions- but I think it's time we revisit this very important debate.

Some differentiating characteristics that come to mind... Crawford was a few inches taller, which meant he was less problematic switching onto wings and a little more effective finishing around the basket. He also wins the longevity argument by a few seasons and can claim what many consider to be the GOAT cross over. Lou was a bit more efficient as a scorer, a bit savvier as a floor general, and I'd say the more polished offensive package overall.

Who was the better player?

Mods feel free to move to the PC board if you see fit. The GB holds a special place in my heart so I normally default here

I think Lou Will had better overall offensive skills/awareness, his pick-n-roll game on the Clippers with Montrezll Harrell was an absolute thing of beauty.

EDIT- Just to make sure I wasn't talking outta my ass I took a look at their career stats, it's amazing how close they actually were to each other statistically in both averages and percentages. They even both won 6th Man of Year 3 times.

Crawford's handles were sick, but I'm gonna take Lou. He could play the 1 or 2 effectively, could run the offense and be a big part of it. He could fit into a teams half court set much easier than Crawford who was more of a one dimensional player. If I needed someone to go off for 50, I'm taking Crawford. In any other scenario, and for chicken wing recommendations, I'll take Lou.

Neither of them should be a key part of a team with real ambitions, but Lou was pretty much a better version of what Crawford was supposed to be. At his best he was a regular season offensive force for some ensemble 8th-seed type Clippers teams; if Crawford is playing that role on your team, it's straight to the lottery without passing Go.

I disliked Lou on the Raptors, his season was the worst culture wise of the prime Lowry years 14-20 and I think he was a big part of why. I remember him being one of the most selfish end of quarter shot takers I've ever seen which was symbolic of the overall approach.

I think later career Lou Will on the Clippers is clearly better than any version of Crawford. That version of Lou was an excellent 6th man with pretty remarkable PnR ability and by then had matured into a pretty decent decision maker in general, also Lou was hitting jump shots efficiently as well.

Lou will. He at least had 1 memorable playoff series as the main ballhandler.

Crawford...not so much. He always dropped in the playoffs despite a smaller role and with not playing in the playoffs until he was 30...you'd expect him to adjust a little better at least and not have the playoff adjustment struggles of someone 10 years his jr...but every year pretty much.

It wasn't pretty.

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Lou is solid, but watch Jamal was like watching an all star come off the bench night in night out.

atlantabbq99 wrote:Lou is solid, but watch Jamal was like watching an all star come off the bench night in night out.

A McDonalds All-American, maybe.