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Jamal Crawford Reveals How a Pickup Game With Michael Jordan Changed His Life

Published 07/14/2021, 1:30 PM EDT

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Michael Jordan was arguably the best player the league had ever seen. Ever since his debut in the league, Jordan showcased incredible leadership on the court and impeccable skills on both ends of the floor.

In his 15 seasons in the league, ‘Air Jordan’ certainly left his mark. With 6 NBA championships, 5 MVP awards, 6 Finals MVP trophies and 14 All-Star appearances, MJ arguably has the most stacked resume the league has seen till date.

Washington’s Michael Jordan still moving around Clippers’ Quentin Richardson in the 2nd half of the game. (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Playing with Michael Jordan was certainly a privilege a handful of players have had. But apart from the NBA, MJ has had his fair share of run-ins in pick-up games. Be it schooling number 1 high school recruit OJ Mayo or humiliating Bulls’ rookie Cory Richardson, Jordan spared no one.

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Jamal Crawford reveals how Michael Jordan changed his life

Facing off alongside young talented players, the 5-time MVP was a commanding presence for hoopers who wanted to play in the NBA. One such ball player was Jamal Crawford.

The 3-time Sixth Man of the Year recently made an appearance at the Knuckleheads podcast. Their the former Knicks guard opened up about a playing pick-up with ‘His Airness‘ and how it changed his life.

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“We are playing and JayZ and Beyonce came to watch. They came to watch a pickup game with Michael Jordan. Ray Allen’s in there, Penny’s in there, everybody is in there.”

“Me playing with Jordan gave me the ultimate confidence. I’ve got the best player ever saying me, ‘you got game, you are gonna come down with me, you are in my team’ and that was it. That changed my whole career, my whole life.”

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Crawford added, “I don’t care what nobody said me, no coach, no GM, no writer, nobody on paper, nothing. I’ve got the best player ever saying, ‘you got game.’ That’s it.” Crawford who had arguably one of the sickest moves with his crossover, carved out an outstanding NBA career.

While he stuck to his role as a sixth man, the veteran guard certainly proved his worth in the league with 3 SOTY trophies. He might not have played in the league since the bubble but can be a good addition. Which teams do you think will be willing to add Crawford?

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Written by:

Aditya Mohapatra

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Aditya Mohapatra is a sports enthusiast who primarily covers the NBA for EssentiallySports. Having graduated in Mass Communication, he has prior experience in writing for ABP News, and has been writing for EssentiallySports since November 2020. This die-hard Los Angeles Lakers fan feels that LeBron James is the best thing to have ever happened to the NBA, and will hold a healthy debate with anyone suggesting otherwise.
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