Jamal Crawford and coach Don Nelson

Jamal Crawford, just after being traded to the Warriors, has been told by Don Nelson that he should opt out of his contract at the end of the season. Don Nelson told reporters on March 12th that “We did meet. I’ve always been very open and honest with my players, and I did tell him he probably would either opt out, or we would move him next year. That’s a fact, and I just don’t see that that’s going to work.”

Don Nelson

Personally, I feel that this is something that should really be looked at. Players should be able to trust in their coaches and organizations and poor Jamal is being pushed around and pressured into making decisions that might hurt his paycheck and career. Don Nelson continued to explain his position by saying, “he makes too much money as a backup player,”. What ever happened to sticking by your guys. Honestly I realize that coaches don’t always have a say in what goes on, but once a move is made you must treat every player like he is apart of the team’s family. Jamal obviously is not getting this courtesy. Yes the warriors are loaded in the back-court but is this conversation appropriate? I say No, especially when you leaking this info the media.

Jamal Crawford on Dub Magazine

Basketball is 90% mental and this is the worst thing I believe you can do to a player. This speaks volumes about the NBA. This sport has become a complete business even in places where it shouldn’t be. This could be the reason that the true team game in Basketball is dead, because of actions like this. How can you grow a team, if they probably will never get any real time to truly mesh. Considering the amount of moves team’s make per year in the NBA, I just can’t see any team knowing they can truly count on one another!