It was a ‘you had to be there‘ moment in 2000 when Michael Jordan resolved to return to the NBA again. He ended his second of three retirements after six championships with the Chicago Bulls to join the front office of the Washington Wizards. It was the prelude to his future NBA team owner tenure and his 2001 return to the court as a Washington player. But while handling basketball operations, he enabled a young upstart to join the Bulls. He’d go on to win 6MOTY three times. 24 years later, that young player mentored by MJ, Jamal Crawford, explained how that happened.
While Crawford was on the All Facts No Brakes podcast, Keyshawn Johnson asked what it was like to play alongside MJ even if briefly. To summarize, “It was crazy.” The Seattle native played college ball at Michigan from 1999 to 2000 before entering the 2000 NBA draft. The Cavaliers would pick him 8th overall but he’d end up with the Bulls in a draft-day deal.
His dad, Clyde Crawford, played college basketball at Oregon alongside future Cavs star, Kevin Love’s dad, Stan. He even knew NFL legend, Ahmad Rashad, who went to Oregon. While Jamal was going through the draft process, Clyde told him that Michael Jordan himself loved his game. “I’m like, what, dad, this ain’t social media. You don’t know Michael Jordan.” Before he could realize his dad’s connection to famous athletes, MJ’s trainer Tim Grover told him that Jordan wanted to meet him.
“I’ll never forget. I go down there about 6:30-7:00 in the morning. And it’s just us three in the gym – Grover, myself, and MJ. MJ is 40 years old, prepping for a comeback to the Wizards and he’s working out.”
Ahead of the 2001 offseason, Jordan had spent the summer training with Grover (who’s also worked with Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade) and held invitation-only camps in Chicago. He was also rebuilding the Washington coaching staff, making new hires and draft picks. Speculation was rife then that he’s returning to the court but it would be confirmed much later.
Michael Jordan cemented his GOAT status in Jamal Crawford’s mind
Crawford had the esteemed privilege of being invited by Jordan to training. Instead of perhaps squeezing out some tips, “I’m quiet.” Understandably, his thought process was, “This is Michael Jordan and I’m watching how hard he’s working in the gym by himself doing defensive slides.”
Jamal Crawford took grave offense to Jason Kidd earlier suggesting Luka Doncic, who’s in the Finals now, is in league with His Airness. His admiration could have stemmed from the moment he saw MJ himself gearing up for a comeback. Jordan also redeemed Clyde’s words by confirming he had indeed watched Jamal play and “This summer, I like your game, you can work out with me.”
Crawford would go on to become one of the best ball-handlers in NBA history. As a draft prospect, though, he was overwhelmed by the presence of All-Stars in Jordan’s training camps. Yet how an aging Jordan remained athletic enough to keep up with them cemented his GOAT status in Jamal’s mind for a long time.