7. Jamal Crawford (8)
Season stats: 17.6 MPG – 9.5 PPG – 2.1 APG – 0.8 SPG – 42.4% FG – 38.3% 3PT – 97.1% FT
Weekly stats: 13.9 MPG – 10.5 PPG – 1.3 APG – 0.3 SPG – 53.6% FG – 30.8 3PT – 100% FT
Jamal Crawford was signed by Coach Thibodeau for his sixth-man firepower, the same firepower that saw J-Crossover win the Sixth Man Of The Year award a record three times.
But last week, Crawford had wolves fans shaking their heads as he slipped to eighth spot in the power rankings. On a bench that has been struggling.
This week however, Crawford rises back in to seventh position coming off a week where the ageless shot creator made over half of his attempts from the field.
Where would the Timberwolves' bench be without @JCrossover? He hits the elbow jumper here after a double ball screen. pic.twitter.com/Lwl8ov9q6l
— Brian Sampson (@BrianSampsonNBA) November 21, 2017
He posted 12 points on 4-6 shooting in the unusual comeback turned blowout over the Dallas Mavericks, including 2-3 from behind the arc. Crawford continued his hot week by finishing the week with a team-high 19 points on 6-12 shooting in Charlotte, despite his 1-5 effort from 3-point land.
Crawford may have shot well, but like the most part of the second unit, he struggled to help the Timberwolves take advantage of leads, or help regain them, finishing with a -1.3 Plus/Minus ranking on the week
Crawford had his usual questionable shot selection moments this week, but when said shots are falling, there is nothing you can do but sit back and watch J-Crossover do his thing.
Jamal will be counted on to bring energy to a Timberwolves bench that has struggled to find its rhythm this week, even if the hierarchy of bench players is beginning to solidify.
With that solidification, we may have to get used to seeing Jamal in the seventh position in the power rankings, even on the 37-year-old’s good weeks.