Jordan Crawford Says He Can Be Better Than Michael Jordan, Is Ridiculous
by Mike Prada on Oct 28, 2011 10:12 AM EDT
in Player Analysis
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PrintThere's a thin line in this league between healthy confidence and over-the-top arrogance. Jordan Crawford, as you all know, is a supremely confident player. This latest quote, though, is him leaping miles and miles over that line. Via Michael Lee of the Washington Post:
"I don’t tell nobody, but I feel like I can be better than Michael Jordan," Crawford said, without the slightest hint of sarcasm. "When I’m done playing, I don’t want people to say, Michael Jordan is the best player. I want that to be me. That’s how I am. That’s how I was built."
[snip]
"Yeah, I know that [people will think I'm crazy], I definitely know that. But I’m not settling for anything less," Crawford said. "I feel like I’m better than him, anyway. My mom is going to say I’m better than him.
I mean, maybe he's kidding, but ... jeez.
I'm sure many of you will come back saying they want Crawford to think he's the best and that confidence is a good thing. Here's the problem, though. Basketball is a game where one player who thinks he's better than he is can have a damaging effect on the team. In football, you can focus on being the best player at your position and just carry out those responsibilities as well as you can. In baseball, you're really just trying to win your individual matchup.
In basketball, though, the division of labor isn't clear and players need to be in harmony with each other. It's one thing for someone to spout off to the press that he thinks he can be Michael Jordan. It's entirely another for one to play like they are as good as Michael Jordan when they clearly are not. We all know Crawford's biggest problem is his propensity to force shots because his eyes get wide and he thinks he can do it all. If anything close to the mindset he displayed in this interview shows up on the court, we're going to see a lot more forced shots and a player who will never learn how to fit into a team setting.
That's why I'm worried. Normally, you could write this off as an athlete saying something nutty because he wants to amuse himself (like Rex Grossman's NFC East quote). With Crawford, though, I'm legitimately worried he thinks so highly of himself that his game won't develop to the point where it should. Crawford will never be good enough to play like Michael Jordan, so there's no reason to invoke his name as a comparison.
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Ah....
to be young, foolish and live life without a brain-to-mouth filter….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
God I love our team...
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Oct 28, 2011 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yep, Milwaukee may play in the...
Land o Lakes… The Wizards dwell in the Land o Flakes.
I hope the deal gets done today, the 2011 – 12 Wizards are a must see…..
by khrabb on Oct 28, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Dummy
I’m not too worked up about this statement, but why do the players on DC teams seem to say all the stupid shit? Just shut up and show it on the court, man.
why do the players on DC teams seem to say all the stupid shit?
You beat me to it…. I was about to ask the same question…
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
The things out of Nick and Javale’s mouths usually qualifies as stupid shit.
I didn’t have a problem with Grossman’s over-ambitious comment before the season the dame way I don’t have a problem with this. I think its awesome and I have trouble seeing any negative about it.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 11:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Well
JC playing a little more under control and within himself was on a lot of people’s checklist on things they wanted to see this year, soooooo, I get the reaction. I know where you’re coming from, too, and I am firmly in both camps :p
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Oct 28, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Like I said I love the talk
But like you and others said, it comes down to what he does on the court. If he comes out no different than last season and has games where he shoots more than Wall and Young and finishes with more missed shots than minutes played, then his confidence is obviously hurting the team. But if he keeps improving like people do, then MJ look out(ok that’s a bit facetious).
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 1:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
No Wiz fan
Should or even has the right to criticize this comment. Without ambition there can not be success.
And what is the worst thing that can come out of this mindset? So far its gotten this kid wins on the biggest college stage, its the thing that dunked all on the (guy with the reputation as the) best basketball player on the planet, as a high-school kid at his own camp.
I LOVE this comment. I LOVE this mindset. I LOVE this player.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 10:53 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
exactly
Without ambition and belief in ones self, how can you push yourself to your limits. Until he start being a problem, not accepting his role, I have no problem with it.
by Danyon Rome on Oct 28, 2011 11:02 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I missed everything after the
I’m on my phone…
My response to all that is 1.) That has to be the most pessimistic way possible to look at this. 2.) I’m probably repeating myself but, I feel like its a given that Crawford is going to get better in terms of usage and efficiency. If he doesn’t improve those two areas, we won’t have to worry about it because he won’t be around here all that long. Flip, Ernie, and even Ted are smart enough to see when a player is hurting their team, even if its with a thing like confidence. Crawford will be made to understand too because if you don’t produce the way Flip likes, you don’t play.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 1:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
*after the jump
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 1:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I completely agree
Follow me on twitter -
http://twitter.com/TheRealTPruitt
by pantslessyoda1 on Oct 28, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I prefer another quote from the article.
"It’s real tough for me, because I want to prove how much of a winner I am," Crawford said. "More than how much of a scorer or stats, I just want to win. That’s what I want to prove and that’s what I want to bring to D.C. Once you bring that winning attitude to everybody, anything can happen."
He’s not Rashad McCants.
by djnnnou on Oct 28, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Easy to say that - it's the path you take that matters
Nobody is saying JC doesn’t want to win, just that his path to that involves him trying to do too much.
Also, worth noting that McCants has said things like this before
“You know, when I leave here, I don’t know what people are going to think of me. But what I really hope they remember about me is that I wanted to win more than anything. That’s all I want. That’s all I care about. I just really want to win.”
Point being: it’s how you act, not what you say.
College quote. That's a job interview.
I share your concerns about Crawford, but I don’t see the MJ comparison as damning evidence. This type of stuff has come out of young players’ mouths before. Sometimes from headcases, sometimes not. Hopefully, Crawford is demonstrating an Arron Afflalo type confidence, rather than delusion.
And
and
where in that article… or anywhere else did Afflalo say he would become the best player of all time?
This quote struck me:
What’s motivating you?
“I just take pride in being a complete player, trying to win games, and becoming a leader. … I enjoy winning. It’s fun.”
Now, had Crawford said that – I’d be applauding…
Instead, I’m scratching my head…
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
In predraft interviews, executives say Afflalo talked like a superstar. Executives were blown away by Afflalo’s excessive confidence, complete with talk of making the Hall of Fame, patterning his game on Bryant and the like. That kind of talk is great — from stars. But all indications were that Afflalo was on a course to be a role player. Delusions of grandeur among role players is a leading cause of NBA failure.
Hmmm...
"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980
by Dutch Hoopfan on Oct 28, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That comes off to me as an underachiever
Seriously, is that an Evan Turner quote? That’s who it reminds me of. No thank you!
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 1:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Who said anything about the MJ thing being damning evidence
It’s just a concern is all, and a concern worth writing about.
Finally feeling like when not if again...
so much for not getting my hopes up…stupid progress…clupid fluoropope
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Oct 28, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Not at all trying to attack you Mike
But I feel that this is the most negative spin you could possibly put on this article.
Different quote:
But before anyone tries to check Crawford into the nearest institution, understand that he is speaking about more of a mentality than a realistic goal. Crawford believes that if he doesn’t step on the floor believing that he’s the best, then he’s already lost. "That’s what helps me get over the hump," said Crawford
And to be honest, although interesting, I really don’t really feel that this article is a problem. This article pretty much just sums up his play—he already is a shot jacker and plays like he thinks he is MJ. And we already know that if his percentages don’t rise, he is not going to be very valuable at all.
Imho him saying he thinks he can be better than MJ, is just his way of motivating himself. And the article also says he spent time in Vegas “focusing on becoming a better defender”…if you want to emulate Jordan’s defense, that is fine by me.
Well, I had the excact same thoughts Mike had when
I read the article on WaPo earlier today.
Ow, well, lets just wait and see how he turns out this season.
"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980
by Dutch Hoopfan on Oct 28, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
He wants to be better than MIke?
Then he’s gonig to need to :
Shot lots of shots per game = CHECK
at a high Shooting Percentage = UH…. not even close
with lots of Game winners = Uh………
and tons of Assists= Crawford needs to double his assists….
and help with Rebounding = Crawford will need to triple his rebounds….
Win at least 7 Championships = well…uh…. we can only hope?!! right?
And he’ll need to last more than 14-15 years in the League , with relative health…
and Stay with the Wizards for the bulk of his career; certainly his most productive years (otherwise he’ll just be another LeBron).
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
Oh yeah...
and he’ll have to re-make himself from a poor defender, into one of the best perimeter defenders of all time…. without growing 3 inches or stretching his arm length…..
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
...we can rebuild him.
We have the technology…we are gonna need a montage.
by Bullet Nation in Exile on Oct 28, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
He should have just compared his measurables to Antonio Daniels
Then set the bar for his career right along with AD. That would have made everybody happy.
I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
by returnofswagger on Oct 28, 2011 1:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Or he could have just said he wants to be the best player he can be and left it at that
Let’s not play strawman here – there’s a middle ground between two extremes.
He can be better than Michael Jordan.
Better…………….stronger…………faster….
I used to have super powers until my psychiatrist took them away.
I actually applaud Crawford's way of thinking
It may come off a little arrogant, but if he is doing what he is supposed to do to try and back those words up, then more power too him. Kobe was just as arrogant (if not more) when he first came into the league and look where he is now.
If he really believes his skills can be on that level at some point, I am willing to entertain his theory until he proves otherwise…
Man what are you talking about
Kobe has actual Michael Jordan level talent. Crawford has Jordan Crawford level talent. If he’ss so delusional that he believes he’s that talented then there could be trouble on the horizon.
I’ve been an advocate of Jordan Crawfords in relation to Nick Young I prefer how he plays to NY. But this sorta delusion makes me question that.
if you have stubborn faith thats not backed by work ethic and actual great ability then you’ll be a fool in games forcing some silly nerf hoop antics on the court believing that teammates and everyone else has to cowtow to your MJ like skills and thats surely could cause serious rift on any team. A coach has to fit you into a defined role if you believe you should fit into an MJ type role and the coach relents then you will become a problem for the coach and teammates whenever you hit the floor.
For Crawfords sake I hope this was just a case of I have MJ like confidence I got carried away type thing.
Not because I believe MJ is this all knowing incomparable type talent that no one should ever strive to be beter than but because Crawford is nowhere near MJ’s talent level in any particular area.
and if he doesn’t know that he has a serious problem.
Kobe has actual Michael Jordan level talent.
So you knew this back in 1996 when Kobe was fresh out of HS and averaging 7.6pts a game?? What are YOU talking about???
I’m talking about confidence, and i’m glad to see that our players have this level of confidence (even if it may be a little exagerated) and will hopefully start showing it in their level of play whenever that may be.
by TheRealBigMike on Oct 29, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
please don't compare
kobe with jordan in terms of bball skill and suggest that kobe is remotely close to jordan. that’s all.
I think its perfectly valid to compare their skill levels.
Jordan physical gifts are what set them apart. Bigger hands, quicker leaper, and higher motor.
Wally's World
by forthepeople on Oct 30, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
what set them apart is everything after
height and turnaround fallback jumper……Kobe, AT TIMES, emulates (imitates) Jordans demeanor…but he plays nothing like jordan.
Phil Jackson once said something along these lines (dont remember the actual quote) when comparing the two, kobe has a knack for hitting the toughest shots, but jordan had a knack for finding the easiest shot.
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
How about "I want to be the next Jordan Crawford."
I always respect the players that say “I don’t want to be remembered as the almost-Jordan. I want to be remembered for the uniqueness of my own career.”
Agreed. That's what Wall said last yr btw.
"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980
by Dutch Hoopfan on Oct 29, 2011 4:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Not so sure his Mom agrees he's better
after all, she did think enough of Mike to name her son “Jordan”.
Wall said he wants to the greatest point guard ever
so he is Magic. Blatche is better than Garnett. McGee thinks he is Jabbar.Vesely is the Euro Blake Griffen, so he is on the team. Now we have Jordan. I think its ring city this season.
by hambonejackson on Oct 28, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
i'll play a lil devils advocate
I’m sick of people treating MJ like a God or some kind of deity, the man was very good at basketball. Its NOT a mortal sin to question his superiority OR to chase his accomplishments. And let’s not forget that the ‘greatest of all time’ got cut by his HS basketball team on his way to be an all-timer, so in a small manner that bodes well for JC as having doubters in any capacity seems to be a big part of the equation for most legendary status players in their journey.
Is JC’s statement a lil more bold than we as fans are used to hearing, absolutely. Esp when you have fools like Lebron slurping him off so bad that he shutters at the thought of wearing MJ’s number amd goes as far as to ‘suggest’ that nobody else ever does, THAT my friends is caveman thinking. Its the evolved thinking that JC has thats going to get him to greatness. For ex, Derrick Rose in his 3rd year told media that he even tho he would be the youngest to ever win MVP, his mindset before the season was ‘why not?’
So I say GOOD FOR JC. Some of you say he’s better off keeping that thought to himself, but I think that by putting it out there into the public eye he’s showing the necessary stones its gonna take to accomplish such a thing. It puts more pressure on him to excel and he will wear his words every-time he steps on the court. AND most importantly he’s showing no fear, he isnt afraid to go to the yard and pick on the biggest baddest mo in and get in his face.
Where would we be without those special people that want to push their limit, still scared to death of falling off the edge of the Earth, thats where. And in the end, all men dream, but not equally….way to go JC
by KurisuDevil on Oct 28, 2011 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree with this actually
Had a Twitter discussion about this – if it were someone else, I’d feel different
But it’s still secondary to my larger concern, which is that the statement is coming from a guy whose biggest weakess is shot selection and who can shoot you out of a game if he gets overconfident.
Jordan was cut from his VARSITY hs basketball team btw
he played on the non varsity team that year
I dont care what the D.N.A. Says, the Guy wearing number 12 Cannot be Kirk Hinrich, he is definetly Kurt. Kirk can actually play basketball!
If he were saying he thinks he IS better than MJ, it would be a problem
But he said he thinks he can be. Would you rather he talk like Blatche (e.g., ’I’m never going to be a power player’)?
Is there any reason that Jordan Crawford can’t possibly be the best player of all time at this point? His rookie year was better than Steve Nash’s whole first three or four seasons. He has outstanding physical gifts. If he were to improve as much as Steve Nash did over his career, wouldn’t he end up being an all-time great?
He could be right.
I’m going to hold off for a few years before I agree. But to be the best it doesn’t hurt to believe you are the best. Muhammid Ali said He was the best fighter and then He proved He was.
Here’s were the MJ boast could hurt JC: other people will say He’s arrogant, and it could be locker room bulliten board fodder. A quote that others use for motivation to shut him down.
Crawford is more likely Wall’s Pippen. If you doubledown on Wall, JC will make you pay.
by Janber on Oct 28, 2011 5:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I don't have a problem with this at all.
Obviously, he will not be MJ, and I don’t think anyone but him and his family thinks so. He wants to be the best basketball player ever. That’s a bad thing? If he disrespected MJ, then it would be a different story, but he really did nothing wrong.
Skins rule
how does the coaching staff
build on this hunger? that seems to be my question. if you have someone who really wants to work hard, then how are they capturing this effort, focusing it so it fits within their system, and putting it in the context of the team’s goals? i’ve yet to see flip be able to do this in his years here. i think crawford and wall are both hungry, and that’s a good thing. so is booker, and it looks like jan is, too. hopefully this motivates mcgee and blatche to pick it up. that would be the best case scenario: crawford works on his shooting %, and the rest of the team feeds off his hunger.
I've said from Day1 he thinks he's better than Wall and will push John more than Nick
clearly he does thing he is better than Wall, now we’ll see how he plays….because his style of play detracts from Wall rather than Nick. JCraw is a score first PG who would like to have the ball in his hands 90% of the time. It’s Wall who he will push, not Nick imho
Agreed.
This is why I see him as a 6th man. NY can play off him but Wall is kinda standing around when JC has the ball, at least las yr. However, he could be very usefull as a scoring plug off the bench who also backs up Wall.
"My logic fails all the time...especially when talking to females" Rook6980
by Dutch Hoopfan on Oct 30, 2011 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions
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