No substitute for selflessness

Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has piled praise on Jordon Crawford, highlighting the star import’s sacrifice for the team on his return from concussion.

Thursday night's clash against Cairns was the first time in over a decade as a professional basketballer the 34-year-old started a game on the bench.

“He’s not tapping out. He’s not pouting,” Roth said, pointing to Crawford’s team-first mentality. 

“It’s a big statement for him and a great visual learning experience for the team about what it means to be a JackJumper and what it means to sacrifice for each other.”

Former champion Damon Lowery backed the move to start last year’s Most Improved Player, Sean Macdonald, ahead of his more experienced teammate.

“There’s going to be games where Jordon Crawford goes lights out and gets 14 points in a quarter. He can do stuff like that, and he can also be a defensive pest up the floor,” Lowery said.

“He (Roth) just has a trust factor so high with Seany Mac, and Seany Mac deserves it.

“Jordon Crawford can sometimes be explosive and sometimes not explosive … Seany Mac is just consistent across the board.”

Roth said Macdonald’s influence was key to the JackJumpers’ success, after coming back from a serious ankle sprain in mid-November. 

Tasmania has won all three of its games since his return to the team.

“I’m hoping it’s going to make a big difference,” Roth said. 

“The availability of having a third ball-handler is really huge.”

Tasmania won its fourth straight game in a tough battle against Cairns, putting up its highest score for the year, 99, in the process.

Majok Deng was hugely influential, finishing with 17 points and 6 rebounds, while Milton looked back to his best, scoring 21 on the back of six three-pointers.

“Yes they are back and they’re looking like a Playoff team,” Lowery said on NBL Now.

“Out of all those bubble teams, there’s going to be jockeying for positions ... I trust the JackJumpers the most, because they play ‘D’ (defence).

“Milton was awesome, Will Magnay did just enough and they just got good contributions across the board.

“Majok Deng ... you can’t guard this dude. He’s one of the few unguardable guys in the league. 

“He was aggressive early and his minutes looked really good, and Anthony Drmic was great as well. 

“The Tassie JackJumpers ... you’ve got your hands full, especially going down to MyState Bank Arena.

“Throughout the course of the rest of the season, they’re going to defend at a high level nine times out of ten.”

The JackJumpers travel to New Zealand next Thursday to take on the Breakers.