This past summer, a soon-to-be sophomore from Xavier, dunked over LeBron James at a Nike basketball camp. It became a YouTube sensation, it was all over the TV, it was plastered all over the internet, and it got so big that LeBron’s advisors basically tried to confiscate the tape. Nobody really knew who this young kid was and nobody realized just how good he was at the time. People in college basketball and all over the world quickly learned that his name was Jordan Crawford.
This past year, Crawford proved to people in college basketball that he was much more than a YouTube sensation or the guy who dunked over LeBron James at a summer basketball camp. Crawford became one of the better guards in the country, led Xavier to 23 wins this past season, had a sick NCAA tourney, and led the Musketeers in scoring at just over 20 points per game. After such a tremendous season, Crawford decided to enter the draft after his sophomore year and was a first round pick the other night by the Atlanta Hawks. If Joe Johnson leaves Atlanta, it could be an all Crawford backcourt in the highlight factory.
Jordan Crawford joined 790 the Zone in Atlanta with Pollack and Bell to talk about how much of a whirlwind things have been since being drafted, what kind of player he is, and how much it helped him to play against some of the top guys in the Draft throughout the workout process.
On the dunk against LeBron:
“I was definitely sick of talking about it. I really don’t like living off of one thing. When they kept talking about it, I was tired of it. I guess it’s something that is always going to live on.”
On what he expects in his rookie year in Atlanta:
“Really don’t know what to expect, but I’m definitely excited. I know a lot about the team after watching them play in the playoffs, especially in this upcoming summer league and get to play with Jeff Teague in the backcourt. That’s probably what I’m most excited about now is just going to summer league with him.”
On what he is looking to prove:
“Just coming out there hungry. I always play with a chip on my shoulder. I think that gives me an advantage and makes me feel like I’ve got something to prove. I’m definitely an aggressive player on the offensive and defensive end just looking to make statement. I don’t just want to go down there and just play and have fun. I want to win every game really and leave Vegas undefeated.”
On whether or not he would be ready to take on more of a load if Joe Johnson isn’t in Atlanta in 2010:
“That’s what I’m prepared for. I’m going off to school tomorrow to get in the gym every day. I’m definitely preparing to get thrown out there and be ready.”
On who he thinks he plays like:
“I don’t think I play like anybody, but I hear a lot of Ben Gordon and Jamal Crawford and guys like that.”
