New Suns guard Jamal Crawford ‘reenergized’ by move to Phoenix

PHOENIX — There aren’t many players who have had a career like Jamal Crawford’s.

He’s spent 18 years in the league, maintaining an efficiency of always scoring wherever he goes. The last time Crawford didn’t have his scoring average in double figures was the 2001-02 season, his second year in the league.

Crawford, though, has never been in a situation like he was this year. He wasn’t signed to a team less than a week from the start of the season and didn’t officially sign with the Phoenix Suns until Wednesday, the day their season started.

That can create some newfound fire for the longtime veteran.

“Really excited, I feel reenergized, to be honest with you,” Crawford said before the opener against the Dallas Mavericks.

The obvious value of Crawford from the jump is that 18 years of experience. Not only has Crawford seen it all, but he’s a player that has everyone’s respect in the locker room and one that star shooting guard Devin Booker said he idolized.

Crawford has been around for so long that Suns forward Trevor Ariza, Phoenix’s valuable veteran free agent signing this offseason, was Crawford’s rookie back on the New York Knicks in the 2004-05 season.

Since then, Crawford’s never shied away from being a young player’s “vet.”

“I guess, as you get further along in your career, I think more people start to notice that but I’ve always kind of done the same things,” Crawford said.

Crawford’s role in Phoenix isn’t immediately clear.

He’s an offensive-minded player who is at his best with the ball. His defense was never a strength and has fallen off even more with older age.

In Phoenix, though, first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov wants to keep the ball moving and a lacking point guard rotation leaves more to be desired when it comes to ball handlers.

Even though Crawford is looking for his own shot more than others, the Suns need guys who can create, and Crawford can certainly do that. One of the best microwave scorers of all-time, Crawford is the only player in league history to win three Sixth Man of the Year awards.

From what he said Wednesday, Crawford has the right attitude to produce in what isn’t the coziest fit. He’s already been watching film to get the gist of Kokoskov’s sets and isn’t coming in with any preconceived notions on a large role.

“Coach just wants to me to be who I’ve been my whole career,” Crawford said. “For me, whatever role he sees fit. Obviously, I’ll try to help others grow, but I feel like I can still help as well so however he sees fit using me I’m on board with.”

Follow @KellanOlson