GQ: You've been in the NBA for a long time and played on a bunch of teams. Is this the best team you've ever been on?
Jamal Crawford: No question about it. It's the best team, most talented team. It's the most fun I've had since high school, playing with this kind of talent, and playing for a coach and coaching staff who give me the freedom out there to just be who I've been my whole career. There's nothing like winning and winning at a high level.
GQ: What makes it fun?
Jamal Crawford: Just how selfless this group is. I think if you look at our team we have pretty much a veteran team: guys who have bodies of work; guys who are secure with who they are in the League and aren't trying to compete with each other; guys who are really happy for each other. I think it's really a family. We do everything off the court together, from movies to dinner to concerts to whatever, and I think that carries over on the court.GQ: Did you think the Clippers would be this good this quickly? Is that why you signed with L.A.?
Jamal Crawford: I definitely thought it was possible. You know, Chris was actually the first person to call me. Then Blake, DeAndre, Chauncey, Coach Del Negro—all the core guys called me and told me they wanted me to be on their team. Then I came out here and met with the Clippers, and at the meeting they told me I was their first option. They told me they didn't want a guy who was a spot shooter, they wanted another creator to go along with Chris, so that when he's getting all the attention and getting double-teamed, I could make something happen. So at that lunch they told me I was their first option, and I told them they were my first option at the time. Maybe I shouldn't have—my agent probably didn't like that very much (laughs)—but I was just being honest.GQ: To me the most amazing stat—and this kind of speaks to what a wild ride it's been for you—is that you've had a different head coach every year of your career.
Jamal Crawford: Actually, I've had sixteen head coaches. That's, like, unbelievable, right?
GQ: It's incredible.
Jamal Crawford: And you've got to figure, every coach has a different way they see you fitting on their team, a different way they want to use you. I'm glad that I'm here with Coach Del Negro, and we'll get him locked up long-term and keep this group together for a while.
Lang Whitaker, GQ
16 coaches?
Vinny is up for a new contract at the end of the season. He's either the combo-breaker or the Crawford coaching carousel will continue.
