Jamal Crawford Seeks Therapy Days After Committing to MSG Network for NY Knicks Reunion

It’s been less than a week since Jamal Crawford, former New York Knicks star, made headlines with the announcement that he’ll be joining the MSG Network this season as a game analyst for about 10 Knicks games. Teaming up with veteran broadcaster Mike Breen, Crawford’s voice will soon fill Madison Square Garden, a home he once dominated on the court. But before Knicks fans can enjoy his commentary, J-Crossover returned to his natural therapy, which defined who he is today.

So, what is his therapy? In a recent Instagram post, Crawford shared a couple of clips of himself running pick-and-roll plays inside the MSG. His caption? “Therapy.” It’s a fitting word for someone who spent over 20 years in the league before retiring in 2022.

During his two-decade-long career, Crawford suited up for nine different teams, including a memorable stint with the Knicks from 2004-2008. His time in New York saw him average 17.6 points, five assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Though the Knicks weren’t exactly contenders during his tenure, Crawford’s professionalism shone through in one of the franchise’s tougher eras, embracing the sixth man role, averaging 20 points in 2008, and even hitting a 50-point performance. Now, he’s returning to the Garden, this time with a microphone instead of a basketball.

According to The Athletic, Crawford, who spent the last two years working play-by-play with TNT Sports, will take over for Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier for 10 games. He will be paired with Mike Breen for the process.

That’s a long way for Crawford from never considering broadcasting as an option to realizing he may not all be on the wrong path.

Jamal Crawford realizes his broadcating career ups

“I thought I’d be a GM, to be honest with you,” Crawford had shared with Forbes. He envisioned himself building teams. But life would have different plans. His first taste of broadcasting came when he filled in on Inside the NBA. What started as a guest appearance quickly turned into something he genuinely enjoyed. TNT loved what they saw, offering him more opportunities to announce games. “Announcing alongside Reggie Miller and Kevin Harlan still feels surreal,” he shares his experience.

However, the transition from court to the broadcasting room wasn’t entirely smooth for the 3x Sixth Man of the Year. He has opened up about having dealt with depression after finding no offers following his last stint with the Brooklyn Nets. But he found joy in coaching his son initially and then his moment of unexpected solace in broadcasting about a year later.

One of his first calls during a Victor Wembenyama game, made him realize how his broadcasting style would just be a reflection of him as a player. “Wembanyama’s the creative player that create-a-players-create,” he had called. His explanation about the remark to his co-hosts would earn a good response, a moment he never will never forget he told JJ Redick. But as the moments accumulated and there were compilations of ‘favorite J-Cross line,’ online, including one by Hennessey, he thought to himself, “Okay, I have done something well.”