http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/pg_preview_0304.html <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Is veteran guard Jamal Crawford (6-5, 190 ? Michigan ?00) on the verge of a breakout season? All signs indicate that he is. After seeing limited playing time his rookie season, missing most of his sophomore year due to an ACL injury and splitting time with Jay Williams last year, the starting point guard job is all Crawford?s in 2003.04 and, as he showed at the end of last season, he?s ready to make his mark. ?I think that Jamal is going to have a very good year,? said Bulls Head Coach Bill Cartwright. ?All of our guys had good summers, including Jamal. He?s been in working out and his body looks as good as it ever has. He?s got some muscles in his body now.? Crawford looks to continue his late-season success from last year, as he prepares for his fourth season with Chicago. Crawford started the final 20 games of the year and averaged 18.7 ppg and 6.9 apg, while shooting .458 from the floor and .406 from three-point range. ?We won?t need Jamal to score an incredible amount of points. We need him to be an orchestrater; to be a court leader. I think that if he can do those things, he?ll have a phenomenal year.? On the year, Crawford posted career-high averages of 10.7 ppg, 4.2 apg and 2.3 rpg. He also shot a career-best .806 from the free throw line. In addition, he experienced a full season with valuable playing time, and that is what might prove to be most important for Crawford come opening night. ?I think that the big thing Jamal has learned, after competing last year with Jay [Williams], not to mention working against a veteran like Rick Brunson who pounded on him, is how to be a pro,? Cartwright stated. ?He suffered a little bit, but he really persevered to push himself through it. I think he also learned more about what it means to be a point guard in this league. You?ve got to be a distributor and you?ve got to be a penetrater. He also found that he is able guard in this league. He made a big jump last year and we are hopeful he?ll make a similar jump this year.? </div>
I dont know about you guys, but I think that Crawford will definatley have a breakout year, expecially without Jay will on his back.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting ObieCent:</div><div class="quote_post">Jamal Crawford is going to be 2003-2004 Most Improved Player.</div> And we traded him for Chris Mihm, my goodness.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">And we traded him for Chris Mihm, my goodness.</div> Yeah the Cavs probably feel pretty dumb right now.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually no, the guys that are here now did not make that move.</div> Any people want to predict his numbers? I say 18 8 and 3.5
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting beasly3:</div><div class="quote_post">Any people want to predict his numbers? I say 18 8 and 3.5</div> I think he'll get this 18.1 pts 7.5 ast 3.8 reb 1 stl
Numbers: 15ppg 3rpg 6.5apg They're kinda modest, but I think Crawford's more than capable of putting up those numbers. He, Eddy Curry, and Tyson Chandler are big candidates for the MIP award.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slamduncan21:</div><div class="quote_post">Numbers: 15ppg 3rpg 6.5apg They're kinda modest, but I think Crawford's more than capable of putting up those numbers. He, Eddy Curry, and Tyson Chandler are big candidates for the MIP award.</div> Im ready for Crawford to receive the award. If he plays like he did the last 2 monthes of the year, he should win it. All I gotta say is Tyson Eddy and Crawford are going to be fun to watch this year!
Me too :mrgreen: The only problem I have with the award is that it's kind of like saying "hey, you sucked last year, but now you're pretty decent." I thought it was pretty interesting how the article called him a veteran. I still don't consider him that. He's what, 23?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting slamduncan21:</div><div class="quote_post">Me too :mrgreen: The only problem I have with the award is that it's kind of like saying "hey, you sucked last year, but now you're pretty decent." I thought it was pretty interesting how the article called him a veteran. I still don't consider him that. He's what, 23?</div> Yeah, I wouldnt consider him a veteran either. He is still a very raw player and looks to be imprving every year. He is only 24 I think. If he stayed at Mich. he would be a rookie or soph in the nba. I hope he wins the Award though.
he's 23 Jamal was born 03/20/80, so hes 23. I think Jamal is the top candidate for the MIP award, although Eddy and Tyson could also get it. I just hope 1 of the bulls gets it!
