Jamal Crawford knows he has a big, stylish job ahead of him, but the former Knicks guard will be filling in for Clyde Frazier starting Wednesday's game in Phoenix, according to MSG Network. I'm excited about my new role as a game analyst.
Crawford has played for nine NBA teams, including five years with the Knicks from 2004 to 2008, and played the first three games of a five-game road trip with the Suns this season in place of Frazier. It is expected that he will be called up to about 10 games to start with. , Jazz and Nuggets.
“Obviously, the Knicks have always been family to me, so I've always connected and stayed in touch with the people there,” Crawford said Tuesday in a conference call with two area newspapers. “It was their idea…I think they probably saw it even before I saw it, and I'm excited about it because they thought I could do quite a bit of work.
“Obviously, no one, no one, is Walt/Clyde. Whether it's 'moving and grooving' or his famous quote, he's one of a kind.” He's a treasure. So I'm really happy to be able to take part in his place and enjoy it. ”
Frazier, 79, a Hall of Fame player and broadcaster, plans to reduce his travel schedule this season.
“He was calling games long before I played, but I remember some of his words. And I go back and watch [replays of] When I was playing, I was just playing to hear what he had to say,” Crawford said. “You can't imitate him. You can't try to create something like that. You just have to be yourself, because he's obviously someone we all look up to. Together. When it comes to working analysts, he is the best [one] team. So I'm not going to try to be him, because I can't. But I'm just going to go and have fun and get ready for work. ”
Crawford, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, retired in 2020 after a 20-year NBA career, but spent the past few seasons working as a game analyst and in the TNT studio. .
Asked if he would like to expand his role at MSG if Coach Frazier further reduces his schedule or ultimately retires, the 44-year-old Crawford added, “I'm not thinking about that,” adding, “I'm not interested in participating. I’m just glad I was able to do it,” he said. It's a mix. ”
Regarding this year's team, which features new starters Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, Crawford believes the Knicks have started to gain some cohesion with three straight wins after a slow start of 5-6.
“Things like that take time. Obviously, we're in the first month of the season and they're going to be a different team a month from now, obviously as they get more used to it. As it goes on, I think in a good way,” Crawford said. “It sounds good on paper, but we have to get through that and it will take time, but I have no doubt they will come into their own towards the end of the season.
“I think it's the limit for them. I don't want to put pressure on them, but when they're right and they're gelling on all cylinders and attacking, I think they're better than anyone in the East. .”
