"I had that shit in my head since I was 8 years old" - Jamal Crawford recalls the iconic alley-oop to Blake Griffin
The "Lob City" Los Angeles Clippers brought fun and excitement reminiscent of the "Showtime" Lakers. Led by the "Point God" Chris Paul and flanked by high-flying big men Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, with high-scoring guard Jamal Crawford coming off the bench, the Clippers were a force to be reckoned with in the NBA.
One play that will forever be etched into the memories of fans and players alike is the iconic alley-oop between Crawford and Griffin. This unforgettable moment unfolded at the Staples Center in March 2013 during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Clippers were up big on the Bucks with over six minutes left in the game when Eric Bledsoe stole the ball and threw an outlet pass to a streaking Crawford.
Seeing that Griffin was a step behind him, Crawford placed the ball between his legs for a split second before lobbing it toward the rim. Griffin soared with his incredible athleticism and leaping ability and threw down a monster windmill slam to spark pandemonium in the arena.
The alley-oop became an instant sensation, with footage of it being replayed over and over again on highlight reels. But what made this play even more special was Crawford's creativity and spontaneity in the moment. He could have easily just thrown a basic lob to Griffin, but instead, he added his own flair and style to it, making it a truly amazing moment.
Had the moment prepared in his head
Crawford had always been a creative hooper. From his days in Rainier Beach in Seattle to his time playing for the Wolverines in Michigan, the ball was his paintbrush and the court his canvas. He had a knack for improvising and creating flashy, unexpected plays that left fans in awe.
But many people didn't know that Crawford often practiced these spontaneous moments in his head before they actually happened on the court. He would visualize himself making incredible passes and executing mind-boggling moves, preparing himself for any situation that may arise during a game. And it paid off in a big way during that alley-oop play with Griffin.
"The play I did to Blake where I threw it through my legs and threw a lob to him. I've had that in my head since I was eight years old. I just needed a person to do it with, to dunk it," Crawford said on Hoop Dreams The Podcast.
Crawford was playing in his first season with the Clippers but had already laid down the foundation with Griffin when they spoke in training camp.
"I said, 'Blake, you think if I did this and threw it up, you think you can get it?' And he kind of looked, he's like, 'Yeah, I can get it.' Boom, that was the conversation."
This is the moment
Fast-forward to March, and the play that had long been in Crawford's mind finally came to fruition. It showcased Crawford's remarkable ball-handling skills and his trust in his teammate.
"I said, 'This is it, it's the moment.' So, I did it, and when I said, 'I know I'm gonna do my part, Blake, just catch it.' I thought I said just clutch it, but please, man, he caught it and windmilled it!" Crawford added, the surprise palpable in his voice.
That play was one of many stunning plays the "Lob City" Clippers were known for during their early 2010s run. Though they fell way short of achieving any significant titles, the team was a fan favorite, and a highlight reel was waiting to happen.
