Jordan Crawford — Sports Commentary

By Art Spander

OAKLAND — And our name for today is, no, not Jonathan Martin, although he has to be part of the equation. Or even Barry Bonds — who belongs in the Hall of Fame — because he talked baseball with Willie Mays and Willie McCovey, who are in the Hall.

No, our subject is Jordan Crawford, one of those people in sport who keep getting dumped overboard but, in a beautiful example of how our games teach us so much about life, keeps showing his value.

Crawford has been in the NBA four years, and now, after being sent to the Warriors by the Boston Celtics some two months ago, is with his fifth team.

And if you want to add the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets, which took in the first round of the 2010 draft but within minutes moved him to Atlanta, the total is six teams.

What Crawford did on a Tuesday night at Oracle Arena was come off the bench to score more than Steph Curry. More than Klay Thompson. More than Dirk Nowitzki.

More than anyone on either team.

Crawford had 19, and the W’s, after a hesitant beginning, played defense as it’s programmed, offense as the opportunity presented, and overwhelmed the Dallas Mavericks, 108-85.

That they immediately flew to Los Angeles, where tonight they face the Clippers, the team that most likely will be the W’s first-round playoff opponent and could thump them, in no way diminishes the victory, Golden State’s fifth in a row.

“You have to care of the ones you are supposed to take care of,” said Mark Jackson, the Warriors' coach, a very satisfied gentleman not only because of the success but also because of the manner in which it was achieved — with the Mavs shooting just 36.6 percent.

Having grown up in New York and played for Lou Carnesecca at St. John’s, Jackson learned early on that defense is the key to every game. It’s much easier to knock a ball out of a man’s hand, whether he’s shooting or dribbling, than to knock down a 20-foot jumper.

That is, unless Curry and Klay Thompson are in your lineup. And they were in the Warriors’ lineup.

On Tuesday night, so was Crawford, a 6-foot-4 guard, who had 14 points by the time Curry, with only 4:19 to go in the first half, got his first points.

“He was great,” Jackson said of Crawford. “I don’t think enough credit has been given to him because we went out and got Steve Blake.”

That was on February 19, a month after Crawford came to the Warriors. Blake was dispatched by the hated Lakers because they have sunk to a level no one this side of Chick Hearn’s memory ever could have believed.

Crawford arrives. Hurray. Then Blake arrives. Oops.

“I’ve seen guys fold up the tent,” Jackson said, talking about Crawford’s response to the acquisition of Blake. “And I’ve seen players hold their head down and not be ready. (Crawford) has been professional.”

Such a poignant word, no matter what, no matter whom. A professional, by definition — and he or she can be an amateur — doesn’t brood or sulk or quit but tries to do their best.

“He has the gift to score,” said Jackson. In 22 minutes, Crawford was 8 for 12 from the floor, including 3 of 6 on three-pointers. “When called upon," the coach added, "he’s been ready and deserves a lot of credit.”

So too, reminded Jackson, does Bob Myers, the Warriors' general manager. The W’s now have two legitimate NBA lineups, never missing a beat — or many shots — when the subs take over.

“I think our bench scored 59 points,” said Jackson. “We defended at a high level.”

Especially in the third quarter, when the Warriors outscored the Mavs, 24-13. If a pro team can’t get 20 in a period, it’s in trouble. And Dallas was.

“Having the Dallas Mavericks in our building with us being rested,” said Jackson, “it was important for us to take care of business.”

For Crawford, well accepted by his teammates, the business is one of enjoyment. Big salaries are not always a substitute for lack of playing time.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Crawford. “It’s fun. I think the coach has more confidence in (the reserves), and we see that. It’s easier for us to play, and you can get a little more time. To be on a streak like this heading into the playoffs and to move up in the standings bring out the competitive spirit in everybody.”