Gillie Da Kid Wants to Play JJ Crawford and Other NBA Sons

Gillie Da Kid rarely picks the safe take, and on a 2023 episode of his podcast, Million Dollarz Worth of Game, he went further than usual. Talking with co-host Wallo alongside guests Cam'ron and Mase, the Philadelphia rapper argued that he could go toe-to-toe on the basketball court with Jamal Crawford, the retired NBA guard known for one of the best handles the league has ever seen. Gillie leaned on his own streetball résumé, citing wins against celebrities like Chris Brown and other well-known names, as proof that his game translates against anyone, professional or not.

The panel wasn't convinced. Cam'ron, Mase, and Wallo all pushed back, reminding Gillie that Crawford spent two decades in the NBA and won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times over his career. Gillie didn't back down, admitting his defense was weak but insisting his scoring ability alone would keep the matchup interesting.

Crawford Doesn't Let It Slide

The comments made their way to Crawford, and he responded quickly. Gillie posted footage of himself in pickup games, tagged Crawford directly, and packed the caption with basketball wordplay daring him to accept the challenge. Crawford wasn't impressed. He dismissed the clips as old news and made it clear he wasn't going to be caught off guard.

It's worth remembering who Gillie was calling out. Crawford was picked eighth overall in the 2000 NBA Draft and played until 2020, building a reputation as one of the league's most dangerous instant-offense weapons off the bench. He also holds a unique piece of history: he's the oldest player to ever score 50 points in a single NBA game. Even after retirement, Crawford has kept himself sharp by seeking out pickup runs wherever he travels, a habit that's earned him comparisons to a character who roams the world looking for the next challenger to beat.

A Reference Straight Out of Sitcom History

Crawford didn't just brush the callout aside; he framed exactly what he thought would happen if the game actually took place. He pointed to a well-known moment from the sitcom Martin, in which the lead character foolishly steps into the ring with a real professional boxer and pays for it immediately. The message was hard to miss: if Gillie really wanted to run it back, he shouldn't expect a friendly, competitive game.

Fat Joe jumped into the conversation soon after, and he wasn't gentle about it either. He made clear he has love for both Gillie and Wallo, but questioned out loud whether Gillie had thought this through, joking that he wouldn't bet on Gillie making a single shot against Crawford. Joe even encouraged Crawford to make an example out of him on the court, adding more fuel to an already lopsided debate.

An Unresolved Bet Looms in the Background

This isn't the first time bold predictions have caught up with the Million Dollarz Worth of Game crew. Gillie and Wallo still owe rapper Tech N9ne on a Super Bowl wager after the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Fans have kept that debt alive as a running joke on the show, and it's added a layer of skepticism to how seriously people are taking this newest challenge.

Gillie Pivots to the Next Generation

After the Big3 celebrity game in Dallas, Gillie Da Kidd was asked by LandonBuford.com when we could potentially see that matchup. Rather than waiting on Crawford, Gillie shifted his target entirely. If the father wouldn't play him, he reasoned, he'd take on the son instead, name-checking JJ Crawford directly.

From there, Gillie expanded the challenge into a broader list, calling out the sons of several high-profile athletes and entertainers. He mentioned wanting to face LeBron James's son Bryce, Rajon Rondo's son, Shaquille O'Neal's son nicknamed after his father, Carmelo Anthony's son Kiyan, and the twin sons of former NBA player Matt Barnes, and Stephen Jackson framing the whole thing as a challenge to the next generation since, in his words, the fathers were avoiding him.

"Jamal Crawford don't want it with me, so I don't want it with him anymore — I want it with JJ Crawford. Where's your son at?" Gillie told LandonBuford.com. "All the dads that got sons that's good — I want Bryce James, I want JJ (Crawford), I want little Stack, Rajon Rondo's son (Pierre Rondo Jr.), I want Kiyan Anthony, I want the twins (Isaiah and Carter Barnes). Who else? Shaq's son — yeah, I want little Diesel, baby Diesel. Who else? Alright, I want all the babies. Your pops running from me, so I want the kid."

What Happens Next Is Anyone's Guess

As of now, there's no confirmed date, location, or set of rules for any matchup between Gillie and Crawford, and it remains unclear whether the pivot toward challenging players' sons is a genuine escalation or simply more content for the podcast. Either way, the exchange has done what Gillie's trash talk usually does: it pulled in outside voices, kept people talking, and put his larger-than-life confidence back in the spotlight. If Crawford ever does step on the court with him, his warnings suggest he won't be taking it easy.