For Jamal Crawford, learning how be effective in the playing time he's been given has been a challenge.
Crawford, three-time NBA sixth man of the year, signed a two-year, $8.9 million contract with the Wolves last summer.
Through 29 games he is averaging 17.7 minutes and 8.9 points. It is the first time in 17 seasons Crawford has not averaged in double figures in scoring. And his minutes are his lowest since his rookie season.
"It's a difficult challenge," Crawford said. "Because this is the lowest minutes I've played, pretty much the same minutes I played as a rookie. So you want to actually do it the right way, and play within the framework of the game. But then, if you're not out there that much, you kind of have to make something happen. So it's a balance I'm trying to figure out."
So far Crawford is shooting 39.6 percent overall, 34.3 percent on 3-pointers.
When Crawford, 37, was asked if he sees any advantage to playing fewer minutes, he said no.
"To be honest with you, I don't," he said.
He also said there were discussions when Crawford chose the Wolves over other teams during free agency. Minutes were discussed at that time, he said. "But 17 minutes wasn't discussed," he said.
But Crawford said he didn't feel the need to talk with coach Tom Thibodeau about it.
"Oh, no. It's not about me, at all," Crawford said. "I think as long as we're trending in the right direction and winning, the rest, hopefully, will work itself out. Just try to get wins along the way."
