National Basketball Association

LA Clippers 2016-17 Player Previews: Jamal Crawford, the 6th man

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

After receiving a $42 million payday, the NBA’s quintessential sixth man, LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford, is “All-In” for the 2016-17 NBA season.

Dec 14, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; LA Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) reacts after making a three point shot late in overtime to win the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Detroit Pistons 105-103 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports

Many questions regarding the LA Clippers‘ ability to fend off a staggering cap situation surrounded the team once NBA free agency commenced. An ample amount of players from the bench became free agents. There were a fair share of trade ideas, free agency exceptions, and minimum contracts that were available on the table to improve the team as much as possible. And, obviously, there was the (failed) Kevin Durant pursuit.

However, a benefit that the Clippers had during free agency was having the bird rights of some of their players. One of these players is the core of the team’s bench unit scoring: Jamal Crawford.

During the beginning of free agency, there was a minuscule setback in contract talks between the two parties. The Clippers initially offered Crawford a one-year, $12 million dollar contract.

In today’s NBA, this is simply too steep of a cut in terms of the duration of the contract for a player who’s long been one of the most dynamic bench players in the league. Especially since his teammate, Austin Rivers, earned a three-year, $35.7 million dollar contract.

Crawford soon tested free agency and there were many rumors that he was in serious talks with the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, among others. However, these never made it past the rumor stage and were soon put to rest.

On July 31, 2016, Crawford sealed a contract that allowed him to return “home” in Los Angeles for his fifteenth season in the NBA and his fifth with the LA Clippers.

The well-deserved contract was a three-year, $42 million dollar contract, and Crawford will be needed again next season to ensure the Clippers go as far as possible.

So, let’s dive into how he performed in 2015-16 and what’s next for him.

Recap of the 2015-2016 season

The 2015-2016 season was simply historic for the 36-year-old Seattle native. Jamal Crawford was a lone wolf, in his own respect, this past season.

He became the only player to win the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award three times (2010, 2014 and 2016).

Crawford was among the elite company of Kevin McHale, Ricky Pierce, and Detlev Schrempf when he won the award twice. This is a difficult feat to do once, let alone a record-breaking three times.

Crawford averaged 14.2 points and 2.3 assists per game in the regular season and shot 40.4 percent from the field. This proved to be essential in a season that, for the most part, didn’t include Blake Griffin, even if Crawford’s efficiency wavered.

Jamal provides a spark through many different areas, which is what makes him so valuable. It could be in isolation, ball handling, pull-up jumpers, three-pointers, or at the charity stripe, and there will be positive value. Of course, he can take ugly shots at times and finish a game with 25 percent shooting, but there are clear positives when he can create offense so freely and find a rhythm. This past season he had 117 threes (at a 34 percent rate) and was 90.4 percent from the free throw line, only behind Stephen Curry.

Crawford’s most important contribution came during the postseason when he averaged 17.3 points per game. This was during a time when both Chris Paul and Blake Griffin became injured during Game 3 of the first round against Portland.

Austin Rivers and Crawford delivered a never-say-die attitude that can’t be provided through the stat books. It is one of the most important intangibles that the veteran has provided since arriving on the scene in Los Angeles that makes some of his flaws easier to live with.

Crawford’s clutchness

42 million dollars was an enormous hit to the Clippers’ salary situation. Nevertheless, the most decorated bench player in the league often performs at his highest level in crunch time.

Last season, Crawford led the team in fourth quarter points with 341.

One of his best moments was when he hit a buzzer beater against the Utah Jazz. This shot, in Utah, eliminated the Jazz from playoff contention.

Take a look:

This was truly a jaw dropping moment, which went along with a 30-point game. Crawford’s ability to perform in the fourth quarter is one of the reasons the team retained him. The team will really need these types of clutch performances next season against the Warriors, Spurs, and the rest of the Wild West.

Apr 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) is congratulated by his coaches after hitting the game winning shot against the Utah Jazz in overtime at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Utah Jazz 102-99 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Crawford’s storyline to watch for in 2016-17

Jamal Crawford has firmly established himself as the “Benjamin Button” of the NBA. This means that as he ages, his play doesn’t. He doesn’t look old, his handles are as lightning quick as ever, and he bounces around with the ball like a 25-year-old.

However, it will be interesting to see the level he will perform at as he nears his 37th birthday.

One of the soft spots that has been a problem for Crawford has been his shot selection. Since he is such a high volume shooter, he needs to develop ways to become a more efficient scorer, especially as the years go by.

The front office did their job well in adding the likes of Marreese Speights and Alan Anderson. This could be a possible way to free up Crawford in the half-court set and get more open shots, while guys like Speights serve as valuable catch-and-shoot threats.

More from Clipperholics

In order for the LA Clippers to be successful, they need Crawford’s abilities to be the leader that he is off of the bench. Most players usually become leaders once they’re way past their abilities to perform well on the court. That’s one point where Jamal Crawford stands out from other players in the NBA. He is still able to perform at a high level and provide a strong veteran presence for the team.

This point is often overlooked, but is essential to understand. It creates similarities and relationships between himself and teammates, because they can have a better understanding on and off the court about different aspects of the game. This is a key component in developing younger players, such as Austin Rivers.

The Western Conference continues to keep improving every year with many unprecedented strategies. Durant joining the Golden State Warriors is imposing, to say the least. But an important theme that the Clippers adopted this year was continuity. Meaning that the Clippers retained their most important bench players and added a few new pieces, besides Cole Aldrich and his defense.

Jamal Crawford figures to be one of the most important pieces in carrying out this strategy. He is a fan favorite, a great locker room guy, and the heart of the LA Clippers’ bench.

Simply put, Jamal is one of the “good guys” that any team would like to have.

This article originally appeared on