NBA Rumors: Retiring Veteran Leaves Lasting Mark By Eclipsing Michael Jordan Record

The day has been filled with lots of bombshells in the NBA. First was the sudden resignation of Earvin “Magic” Johnson as team president of the Los Angeles Lakers, which was followed by the final games of Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks.

Ironically, there was a 39-year-old NBA veteran who also finished the 2018-19 NBA season on a high note – Jamal Crawford. Though a legitimate superstar in his own right, the cager dropped a game-high 51-points against the Mavericks on 18 of 30 shooting off the bench, CBS Sports reported.

The 51-point output was actually a record in itself since Crawford becomes the oldest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game. He also hauled down five rebounds and issued the same number of assists.

The numbers eclipsed the previous one set by Michael Jordan back in 2001. At the time, His Airness dropped 51 points against the Charlotte Hornets, Fox Sports reported. Moreover, Crawford even also entered the record books as the only player to have a 50-point game with four different NBA teams.

At 39, most believe that Crawford will hang up his sneakers and move forward. But of course, the official verdict on his end has yet to be come out in the open. Depending on what he feels, Crawford could opt to play on although he is likely to console himself with a bench role.

Regardless, Crawford has had a stellar career. Making his last game sweeter is the fact that the 8th overall pick of the 2000 NBA Draft is that he did not even have a 30-point output this 2018-19 NBA season. The last time he scored at least 30 points was back in 2016 when he was still with the Los Angeles Clippers.

It was a colourful final day for the NBA with most focused on Wade and Nowitzki. Fans gave due recognition to the two future NBA Hall of Famers, overshadowing Crawford and other aging players who may be calling it a career as well.

There were no bright lights or special ceremonies prepare for Crawford. He may have not been among the prominent figures this NBA season but he most certainly left a memorable mark by breaking the record of the NBA’s GOAT.