Jamal Crawford's role is no different than JR Smith's was in NY when he won 6th man of the year. He was the initiator off the bench. The skillsets are too similar.
But that's not how JR is used here; that's my point.
And I have no idea where you get the idea that Crawford is a more reliable scorer. He's a career 41% FG *didn't even hit 40% this season*, and 35% from behind the arc, compared to a 42.5/37.
Umm.. it's pretty obvious:
Jamal Crawford is scoring 21.75 PPG p/36 over the past two seasons; JR Smith is scoring 15.4 PPG p/36.
When adjusting for pace, Crawford is scoring 30 ppg p/100 possessions, Smith is scoring ~22 ppg p/100 possessions.
Also using FG% is suspect and simply the wrong stat considering the very different shot chart (JR taking 2/3rd's of his shots behind the arc makes this comparison silly).
Instead, comparing true shooting over the past two seasons we find that these players have very similar efficiency:
Crawford: .544 TS%
Smith: .535 TS%
So... I don't really get how you can make the claim that you are. Simply watch them play, and if you don't have the opportunity, the stats demonstrate these facts to you clearly.
If anything, the two players have
similar efficiency, but Crawford definitely is a more reliable scorer, this is undeniable. If you like I can plot the standard deviation between the two and demonstrate to you unequivocally that Crawford is more consistent?
Lastly, to say they are very similar
players (as in, one negates the need for the other) is an oversimplification and, in that, misses the mark, I think, completely.
The only scoring area that Crawford excels in is at the charity stripe.
...nonsense.
If your idea of more reliable scorer is a higher PPG average for his career, you seem to forget that Crawford has NEVER played with a volume scorer in his entire career where as JR has basically spent 99% of his career behind Carmelo.
Yeah, I don't see how this is relevant. But you're entitled to your opinion.