Detroit native Jordan Crawford enjoying switch to point guard with Wizards
Dec 22, 2012 (Menafn - Detroit Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --Wizards guard Jordan Crawford estimated he would have 50 people watch him face the Pistons on Friday night at the Palace.
No surprise considering Crawford, 24, is a native Detroiter and was a standout at Detroit Communication & Media Arts.
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Crawford came into the game playing the best basketball of his life. Fueled by a recent move to point guard, he averaged 23 points, 8.5 assists and 7.5 rebounds in his two games before facing the Pistons -- including a triple-double of 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists Tuesday against the Hawks. He scored a game-high 20 points in the Wizards' 100-68 loss to the Pistons.
Known primarily as a scorer in his three years in the league, Crawford has thrived at the point as injuries have forced Wizards coach Randy Wittman to make the move.
"It's been fun," Crawford said. "It's been fun having the ball, showing that I can be a point guard. Just because I'm a dominant scorer doesn't mean I can't pass. It's fun just showing off my ability."
LOOKING AHEAD: After the Pistons conclude a back-to-back tonight at Washington, they will just play nine games over the next 28 days.
After setting a league-leading pace for games played, the Pistons will have time for more practice, but coach Lawrence Frank said next month's trip to London could limit the benefits.
"The thing about it is you have the travel that entails both going and coming so you lose some days there," he said of the Jan. 17 game vs. the Knicks. "It's not as true as if it were a normal situation because you don't have to deal with the jet lag, the travel.
"The bottom line is the really, really good teams -- regardless of practice time or not -- stay in the moment and continue to address the things that need to be addressed."
More Details: Tonight: Wizards
Matchup: Pistons (8-21) at Washington (3-21).
Tip-off: 7, Verizon Center, Washington.
TV/radio: FSD, WWJ-AM (950).
Line: Pistons by 2.
Contact Vince Ellis: 313-222-6479 or vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.
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