“I’m very confused as to why I was brought here”- Jae Crowder frustrated with lack of playoff minutes with the Bucks
Jae Crowder
© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The most significant move that the Milwaukee Bucks did before the trade deadline was bringing in Jae Crowder. Crowder was brought in supposedly to provide the Bucks with hard-nosed perimeter defense and scoring. But in the playoffs, Crowder was barely utilized and that did not sit well with the 32-year-old veteran.
“I’ve never been in a situation like that. Eleven years. Check my resume, I’ve been playing. I’ve always been playing,” Crowder said in a report by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Unused arsenal
Because he was hardly used, Crowder was a virtual non-factor in Milwaukee’s first-round playoffs series with the Miami Heat where he saw action for only a combined 30 minutes.
With limited minutes in the playoffs, Crowder only averaged 1.8 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.
The No. 8 seed Heat ousted the first-seeded Bucks in just five games in what was the biggest upset in recent NBA history as Milwaukee entered the playoffs as the heavy favorites following a 58-24 campaign in the regular season.
It was a painful ending for Milwaukee to say the least, but what really frustrated Crowder was his almost non-existence in the playoffs.
Jae made his way to the Bucks after he sat out the early part of the season with the Phoenix Suns where he became unhappy with his role. Crowder did get his wish to be moved only to get a minimal role in the playoffs with the Bucks.
“I’m very confused as to why I was brought here. I don’t know my purpose here and why I was brought here … I wasn’t expecting that, DNPs. I haven’t had them in my career, so why start now?” he said.
Willing to stay with Milwaukee
Interestingly, the Bucks didn’t see the urgency of using Crowder when Jimmy Butler was torching them in the series. The Heat star toyed with his defenders, averaging 37.6 points over five games after being guarded by Jrue Holiday for majority of his minutes on the floor.
Though frustrated with his limited role in the playoffs, Crowder made it clear that he is willing to stay with the Bucks.
"I would [re-sign], because in the locker room it's a great group of guys who puts work first and we have fun after that," Crowder said. "I can work in that type of environment and I really do appreciate my teammates for welcoming me. From day one it's just been love from that side."
