It seems as though Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jae Crowder, who was recently acquired in a deal with the Boston Celtics, is really digging his new environment with the Cavs and may have even taken a bit of a jab at his former team.
Along with Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, and a pair of future draft picks, Crowder, now 27 years of age, was traded from the Celtics to the Cavs for Kyrie Irving. Now, with a week of practice and one scrimmage game under his belt, Crowder seems to be getting a feel for his new team.
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After Tuesday’s practice session at Cleveland Clinic Courts, Crowder was asked what his impressions are of the Cavaliers organization.
Via Joe Vardon of cleveland.com:
“I’ve never been around anything like it,” Crowder beamed. “The energy that’s in the building, the way the guys come to work every day and work. Don’t have to ask guys to do anything. They are going to do it. I think that’s a winning atmosphere and no coincidence of this organization, these guys, being at the top of the East the last few years because of the way they work when the lights are not on.
“Something special that I’ve seen when I first came that everybody is on the same page. Get your work in and the rest will take care of itself. Never been a part of anything like it. It’s special.”
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Crowder played three successful seasons with the Celtics. During their 2016-17 campaign, the former Big East Player of the Year in 2012 posted some of the best statistical figures of his career, averaging 13.9 points on 46 percent shooting from the field (career-high), 5.8 rebounds (career-high), 2.2 assists (career-high), and 1.0 steal in 32.4 minutes (career-high) per outing.
As most hoops fans know, there has been little to no love lost between the Cavs and Celtics over the years. Crowder saying that he’s never been part of an organization like Cleveland’s sounds like high praise. However, it could also be viewed as a clever shot at the Celtics. We’ll leave it to you to decide.