Jamal Crawford On The Perception That NBA Stars Can’t Take Reduced Roles
The Houston Rockets elected to trade Carmelo Anthony two seasons ago after just ten games to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls would later buy out his contract. After that buyout, Anthony was not given another opportunity until the Blazers brought him in to play a sixth-man role.
Former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas shared after Anthony’s buyout that he didn’t think it was a good fit for Carmelo to join the Rockets.
“I remember the reports named Houston as a possible destination for him to land. I said ‘Hell no’ don’t go there it is going to be a disaster and it is not going to work. You just for the first time in your career played with two ball-dominant players and it made you the third option. So, to go right back to a team that is going to make you again the third option is a disaster,” Arenas told me.
Last week, Jamal Crawford was on Twitter Space and was asked about the perception that stars like Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Isaiah Thomas can’t take reduced roles.
“I think it depends on the individual like Allen Iverson was not built to come off the bench. He just wasn’t, and some people are like that. Isaiah Thomas has proven that he is willing to come off the bench in Denver. I don’t know how many games that he appeared in, but hearing from Mike Malone and those other players such as Michael Porter Jr who didn’t play much that year. Hearing the type of vet that he was in the locker room. The type of leader in he was in the locker room. I think the career stuff and he would adjust would translate well,” said Crawford via Hoop Spaces on Twitter Spaces.
“So, that part throws me off just like with Melo. Melo had never had any complaints in the locker room. People were saying he would never be a sixth-man and couldn’t do this and that. He was like I was never really asked to. If they asked me and addressed me head-on, I will adjust or I’m not coming. At least I can be upfront with for that.
This past offseason Carmelo Anthony signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a one year deal.
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