During one of his 57 games with the Jazz during the 1991-92 season, Corey Crowder missed two layups in a row from John Stockton.
Stockton, who was not accustomed to having his assists taken away from him, had some words for Crowder: “He said, ‘Hey, young fella — if you miss another one, I’m not gonna pass you the ball again.’”
Some 26 years later, the welcome has been a little warmer for Crowder’s son, Jae Crowder, who was acquired last month in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Coming into Friday night’s game against the Timberwolves, the 27-year-old had averaged 13 points per game in his first six with the Jazz. And Vivint Smart Home Arena crowds have been kind to Crowder for every big play he’s made.
Making his first visit to Salt Lake City since his son joined the Jazz, Corey Crowder said he’s been remembering little things about when his son was growing up.
“Every single night, [Jae] would line up like he was hiding, and I would have to say, ‘No. 15, Corey Crowder,’” he said. “And he’d run back and forth like he was in a layup line. That’s a true story. He did that every night.”
Corey Crowder has watched his son play many times since, from junior college, to Marquette to the NBA. Jae Crowder said he thinks he got his work ethic from his father, who played internationally for the better part of two decades.
Corey Crowder said he’s happy that Jae has wound up with an organization “that cares about players,” and that he knows that Jae will continue to earn respect on the floor. But there’s been plenty of other times when he’s doled out tough love to his son as well.
“As father, that’s what you’re supposed to do, right?” Jae Crowder said. “Especially to a young man going into his own. He’s always been that way since I can remember playing basketball. He’s been a tough critic and I love it.”
Up and down
Tony Bradley was called up again to the Jazz for Friday night’s game, the completion of his 16th assignment with the Salt Lake City Stars. But the 17th is expected to begin Saturday, when the Jazz head to Sacramento for the second game of a back-to-back and the Stars take on the Agua Caliente Clippers. Bradley is expected to start for the Stars in the home game.
Bradley has played in 23 games for the Stars, all starts, averaging 15.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks after he was the 28th overall pick in the 2017 draft.
Briefly
The Jazz again wore their City Edition jerseys and trotted out their jersey-specific court for the ESPN-televised game. The Jazz will wear the City edition jerseys for two remaining home games.
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