The Nets Made a Few Big Moves Before the NBA Restart

Jamal Crawford was finally, finally signed: the Nets picked him up for this restart.

The Nets are currently decimated with positive Covid cases and injured guys opting out, so they needed to do something. How much Crawford will help them is questionable, but he should’ve been on some team way before this. He’s too good a scorer, who can still fill it up, to not, at least, be an instant offense bench player for someone. He could’ve been a great vet for a young team too. I still don’t get why Phoenix didn’t retain him. But, he’s back in the league, and he seemed pumped. He was all over social media after he signed saying how happy an grateful he was to be back. That’s great. He should’ve already been back, but better late than never. And while he’s stoked, and I’m stoked for him, I’d be a little upset that it took a pandemic and a restart before he was signed. Like I said, the dude can still play. He is liable to go off for 20 plus at any given time. He can come in and hit clutch shots. He could help young teams, and playoff teams. Hell, I signed him on NBA2K when I went on a deep playoff run with the Grizzlies. He was available, I needed a bench sniper, and I didn’t hesitate. And he was awesome in limited minutes. That’s a video game, think how much better he will he in real life. I know he’s been around for twenty years, but he stays in shape, and he stays shooting. The dude is a walking bucket. With the Nets, they’ll need him to do so very much, and while I think he’s up for it, it will be a tall task. He will now be the guy other teams game plan for. I know Caris Levert is younger, and Jarret Allen is a great time defender, and Joe Harris is lights out from 3, but those guys are specialists. They are more apt to give you solid numbers, but not the numbers it takes to win in the playoffs. Crawford is that dude, but he’s never been counted on as that dude in the NBA. He also hasn’t played at this level all year. The guys coming back have been off for four months, Crawford has been off for a year. He will be fresh, that’s for sure, but he’ll need these eight games to get into NBA shape, and if they still find their way to the playoffs, the Nets will need him to go to a whole other level. But, he’s back, he deserves it and I will cheer and root for him to show everyone what they’re missing out on by kit signing him.

The Nets are also bringing in Michael Beasley. This move isn’t near as enticing as Crawford, but it helps fill out the roster. Beasley has never been able to shed the “bust” label, but maybe he’ll show something in the NBA bubble. Maybe he’s been working on his game. He was once a coveted prospect, maybe he’ll show some glimmers of what could have been. He will also add size and strength to a weakish front court. Allen is good, but he’s skinny and he’s all they have. Beasley will add some beef, and frustrate opposing forwards. That’s one thing that kept him around so long, he’s a nuisance. He can get into other dudes heads. It doesn’t necessarily help his game, but it sometimes helps his team, and wrecks the opposing player. Beasley, hopefully for Nets fans, will flash some potential and bother other players on opposing teams.

I like the Beasley signing, but I LOVE the Crawford signing. The Nets still look bleak, but at least they’re giving guys who deserve a spot a chance. Good for them.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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