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Redick, Crawford Discuss Emotional Year On Podcast

Rowan Kavner Digital Content Coordinator

LOS ANGELES – Not even a day had passed for J.J. Redick between the Game 6 loss and the taping of his podcast the next morning with Jamal Crawford.

All of the feelings and emotions that came along with the loss that ended the Clippers’ season still lingered, and the two players spoke candidly about the game, the season and moving forward on Redick’s “The Vertical Podcast,” which aired Monday.

“It was one of the most emotional locker rooms that I’ve seen,” Crawford said. “People you didn’t expect to cry, it was like all that was coming out. We literally poured our blood, sweat and tears on that court. It was an amazing feeling, because we all felt the same way. It kind of took over the whole room.”

Crawford said he was at a loss for words to see veterans such as Paul Pierce crying and to hear head coach Doc Rivers and owner Steve Ballmer choked up. This all came before the postgame media availability, but even then, long after the game had ended, the emotions were still heavy.

Redick said he felt like the whole season was an emotional rollercoaster.

“It feels like to me, personally, maybe I repressed those emotions,” Redick said. “And I think maybe other guys repressed their emotions for the season.”

After Game 6, it all came out. Crawford said he broke down on the way home from the game just looking out the window. As soon as Redick went back to the postgame locker room, he said he needed to take some time for himself.

“I think it says a lot about the togetherness of the group when there’s that collective emotion,” Redick said.

Check out the podcast to hear everything the two players discussed, but here were some of the highlights.

On Austin Rivers’ performance

  • Redick called Austin Rivers’ Game 6 “inspiring,” and he said his respect for Rivers, which was already high, went to an entirely differently level after he played through the eye injury.
  • Crawford said it looked like Rivers just did 12 rounds with Floyd Mayweather, and it only got worse as the game went on, yet he continued to battle against Damian Lillard. “Everybody who ever said anything negative before him last night, they look at him totally different,” Crawford said. “I doubt they’ll ever say anything negative about him again.”

Special Group

  • Redick said part of the emotions after the game came from knowing it’ll be the last time he plays with some of the soon-to-be free agents on the team. He said he thought this Clippers team had a chance to do something special, and there’s a disappointment in feeling like you let people down. In speaking to the quality of the group, Redick said he heard Wesley Johnson call this Clippers group easily the best he’s been a part of in the NBA. “There’s a real sense of gratitude and gratefulness to be a part of this,” said Redick, who added that the relationships he’s built in Los Angeles are his best in the NBA.
  • One of those upcoming free agents is Crawford, who said he’s been in the league 16 years and the Clippers felt like home and family more than any place he’s been. “I know my role, I respect my role, I respect my teammates,” Crawford said. “I don’t like change, so I’m very, very comfortable here, and I’d love to stay here further.”

Keeping The Core

  • Crawford said he doesn’t feel there’s anything wrong with the Clippers’ core, and that part of not making it to the next step has just been bad luck. Crawford said chemistry in the NBA is underrated, and this group has it. “To break through with this core group would mean everything,” he said.
  • Admittedly, Crawford didn’t know last summer how all the pieces would fit, but it worked out for him with a record third Sixth Man of the Year honor. “This one meant more than the other two, because before the season, it wasn’t even on my radar,” Crawford said.

Five More Years?

  • Both Redick and Crawford said they believed they could play for five more years apiece. “I’m going to be playing at 41 at LA Fitness, why not play against the best players in the world, if I still can,” Crawford asked.

After The Game

  • Redick said after he’s done playing, he wants to find something he’s equally passionate about. “That may be a challenge,” he said. “We’ve given our lives to this game.”
  • Redick guessed Crawford would probably do something in basketball, and Crawford agreed – more likely in broadcasting or a front office role than coaching.

4-on-4

  • At the end of every Redick podcast, he does a “top four” with his guest. In honor of Prince, this week’s 4-on-4 was favorite musical acts of all time. I’ll keep it a surprise, so check out the end of the podcast to see each player’s top four, but Redick’s might be the most unique of all-time.