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Minnesota Timberwolves Who’s Up and Who’s Down a review of Tom Thibodeau and bench players

By Ken Bradley

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Butler #23, Tyus Jones #1, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the bench against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Jimmy Butler #23, Tyus Jones #1, Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jamal Crawford #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate on the bench against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 31, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 3: Jamal Crawford Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 3: Jamal Crawford Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jamal Crawford

 
Jamal Crawford Minutes 30.0 19.0 DOWN
Shooting Guard Points 15.1 10.1 DOWN
37 Years Old Assists 3.4 2.3 DOWN
18th season Rebounds 2.3 1.1 DOWN
Overal Grade UP

Jamal Crawford is completing his eighteenth season in the NBA  and playing for his seventh team. He has played in the playoffs seven different seasons and he’s a three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner. The Timberwolves signed him to a two-year $8,872,400 contract (average salary $4,436,200) to bring additional veteran leadership to their bench.

His minutes are significantly below his career average and he only played fewer minutes his rookie season (17.2) than this season and Crawford played around 26 minutes the previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The number of points he scored this season are at a career low, as he only averaged a lower number of baskets during his first (4.6) and second seasons (9.3) in the league with the Chicago Bulls.

Crawford’s assists are below his career average and equal to his rookie season when he played two minutes more per-game (17.2) and the 2015-16 season when he played ten-minutes more per-game (26.9).

His rebounds are at a career-low and the closest comparison is his first two season when he averaged 1.5 rebounds per-game and his tenth season with the New York Knicks when he also grabbed 1.5 boards. He averaged fewer minutes his rookie season and played (35.6) minutes his tenth season with the Knicks.

Although he’s down in every statistical category when compared with his career averages, he’s logging ten fewer minutes than his career average and seven minutes fewer than his previous three seasons which is the primary factor in his stat reduction.

Crawford receives an overall UP grade which understandably appears like unfair grading. Some sports bloggers are calling for his head but here’s why he’s receiving preferential treatment.

His field goal percentage at 42.6 percent is above his career average and higher than the previous four seasons played. His three-point percentage is 34.1 percent which is below his career average and yet equal or higher than seven other seasons he’s played. His free-throw percentage (89.8 percent) is above his career average (86.2) percent and higher than fourteen other seasons played.

His greatest deficiency is on the defensive side of the court which is likely the reason he’s not logging more minutes. His Real Plus-Minus ranking is 101 at the shooting guard position while Jimmy Butler is ranked number 1 and Shabazz Muhammad ranked 105.

J Crossover is one of the oldest players in the league, with only Sacramento Kings Vince Carter, San Antoni Spurs Manu Ginobili, Milwaukee Bucks Jason Terry, and Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki being closer to collecting social security checks and all also have seen declines in their performances with age.

Grandpa Crawford has grumbled about wanting more minutes but reduced minutes have kept him efficient and making game-winning shots.  If he can learn a few new defensive tricks, he may convince Thib’s to play him more minutes but until then we can be certain he’ll make a few more big shots.

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