For Jae Crowder, the last two NBA seasons have ended in disappointment. Last year, Crowder was a part of the Miami Heat squad that reached the NBA Finals and was knocked out by LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Whereas this year, Crowder signed with the Suns, who also reached the NBA Finals. This time again, Crowder and his team were defeated in six games, but by Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. But Crowder can be happy with the fact that he performed well during the playoffs, and was a big part of the Suns’ team that made the Finals. But right now, his focus is directed more towards detractors, especially from within the league.
Jae Crowder found himself at the receiving end of an Instagram comment by Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy. Handy told Crowder that he and the Los Angeles Lakers will remember his comments mocking LeBron James, the Lakers, and the new Space Jam movie, along with the Salsa dance he did to mock LeBron as well. Crowder responded by telling Handy that he will remember Game 3 of the First Round, where LeBron James and the Lakers bench were making fun of Crowder and making jokes at his expense. Things appeared to escalate when Handy told Crowder to ‘win one first’ before taking any jabs, which Crowder did not appreciate.
Jae Crowder getting into it with Lakers assistant Phil Handy and Draymond Green over his salsa dance and 'rabbit got the gun' IG comments after the Suns beat the Lakers 👀 pic.twitter.com/0fggMeRIBM
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) July 23, 2021
On the other hand, Draymond Green commented on the same post, saying that he wasn’t clear on what happened. Crowder, quite strangely, responded in all caps telling him to ask if he wanted clarification. Green wasn’t particularly commenting anything negative about Crowder but seemed to have got caught in the crossfire.
Most of Crowder’s antics in the Suns-Lakers series go back to his shaky relationship with LeBron James. He and LeBron have feuded openly. And Crowder’s dance along with his comments were all shots at LeBron’s ventures off the court with Mountain Dew and Space Jam. If Crowder remains with the Suns next season, we will get to see another rematch, and neither player is likely to hold back then.
