3x 6MOTY Jamal Crawford drops the 'truth' about key element modern NBA is missing compared to old generation
The debate surrounding the old NBA versus the new NBA continues to captivate fans with Jamal Crawford the latest to weigh in on the discussion. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year has plenty of experience on the subject. Over an illustrious career that spanned 20 years (2000-2020), Crawford played in over 1400 games for nine different NBA franchises.
Fielding a question on X (formerly Twitter) regarding modern basketball players, Crawford provided his views on what has changed over the last few generations:
"You want the truth? It's more skilled from top to bottom, but there’s a fabric that the generations before had from top to bottom that’s missing today…and YES physicality is missing," Crawford said.
The style of play in the NBA has changed over the last three to four decades. Teams tend to play a faster brand of basketball with more of a focus on the three-point shot. Shooters have been better protected since new regulations were put in place, leading to higher-scoring games.
Crawford, however, feels that modern basketball lacks the physicality that was prevalent in earlier generations.
A recent comment from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards regarding NBA player's skill levels has reignited the old-school versus new-school debate.
"They say it was tougher back then than it is now, but I don't think anybody had skill back then. [Jordan] was the only one that really had skill," stated Edwards (per CBS Sports)
Jamal Crawford went on to say that he still appreciates the current NBA and how it has evolved over the years.
Jamal Crawford holds the record for the oldest NBA player to score 50 points in a game
Jamal Crawford was a top prospect coming out of the University of Michigan and was the eighth overall pick in the 2000 NBA Draft. Known for his exceptional handles and ability to score, the guard made an immediate impact with the Chicago Bulls in his rookie year.
Over his career, the Washington native racked up an impressive 19,419 points, 4,541 assists and 2948 rebounds over 1327 regular season games.
On April 9, 2019, Crawford's Phoenix Suns traveled to Texas to face the Dallas Mavericks. At 39 years old (and 20 days), Crawford recorded an incredible 51 points, shooting 18-30 from the field.
Crawford retired from the league in 2020 but still holds the record for the oldest player in NBA history to score more than 50 points in a game.