Jamal Crawford

61 seasons into its run of capturing both astounding athletic feats and on-court creativity, even the NBA’s most comprehensive highlight reels can confirm that scoring in a 1-on-2 fastbreak situation requires a player with a rare mixture of innovation and self-confidence. Rapid enough in his move that they might’ve missed it, Jamal Crawford showed the Utah Jazz that he, in fact, is one of those players. Mount Rushmore-esque in his inventiveness with the basketball, the gifted scorer offers a memorable example, hurrying out in transition before sizing up his odds with Deron Williams and former three-time All-Defensive Team selection Andrei Kirilenko giving chase. Appropriately adjusting his speed to New York minute-like levels, Crawford works a shake-and-bake, double behind-the-back maneuver, putting both defenders through a tornado before dropping in a floater to electrify the arena. The breathtaking bucket helped open a double-digit lead for the New York Knicks, ultimately sparking their first win streak of the already-testy 2007-08 season. Later capping the night with the game-clinching free throws, Crawford was predictably invigorating, adding 22 points — including 14 in the second half — alongside two steals and a 3-pointer against one of the league’s elites on November 26, 2007.

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