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Jamal Crawford Taking More Pride In Defense

Rowan Kavner

DETROIT – Head coach Doc Rivers let out a laugh and expressed an apology Wednesday night after beating the Pistons.

Prior to the game, Rivers was asked if Jamal Crawford was an underrated team defender.

“No,” Rivers said, chuckling, before complimenting parts of Crawford’s defense but ribbing, “I couldn’t pass on that one.”

Crawford would go on to seal the victory that night with a block and a 3-pointer at the other end to give the Clippers a 10-point lead with less than a minute left.

“As much as he scores, the guys giving him high-fives about the block, it was comical and it was great,” Rivers said. “He felt great about that, and it makes the coaches feel good, too.”

To Rivers’ credit, he added prior to the game that Crawford had at least done everything they’d asked him to do this year defensively. He said for the first time maybe in the electric scorer’s career, Crawford understands that as long as he knows where to be and gets in the right spot, he can help his team defensively.

Crawford basically echoed that after the win against the Pistons, during which he scored 25 points, dished out four assists, pulled in three rebounds, stole two passes and blocked a shot. He said he’s focused on becoming a better all-around player.

“Early in my career, I had the mentality that I felt I could outscore anybody,” Crawford said. “Now, since I’ve come here and Doc’s come here, with this team and these coaches, I really take pride in defense.

“I’m more mad at myself than they are at me when I make a mistake, because they tell us exactly where to be. This is my second year in that system, so I know where to be at and know what to do. If I don’t do it, if I’m not locked in, I’m upset with myself.”

He had nothing to be upset with Wednesday, recording two steals in a game for the third time this year and his second block of the year, which came at a crucial time in the win.

“The thing I’ll say about Jamal is we’ve seen the changes, and he’s serious about it,” Rivers said. “Like I said before, and he said it again after the game, team defense. All you have to do is listen. If you get to the right spot, ‘At least I’m there. If he scores on me, I can’t help you guys there, but at least I’m in the right spot.’ I think he takes pride in that.”

Crawford ramped up his defense Wednesday and continued to display his reliable offensive game, which has never been in doubt. The reigning Sixth Man of the Year shot 50 percent, drilled three 3-pointers and set a season-high with his 25 points.

“He was burying everything,” Rivers said. “He’s Jamal.”

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