Bucks Zone

“Just be you!” - Jae Crowder shares what his new teammates told him to help the Milwaukee Bucks’ cause

The veteran forward got a warm welcome to his new team.

Matthew Dugandzic

“Just be you!” - Jae Crowder shares what his new teammates told him to help the Milwaukee Bucks’ cause
“Just be you!” - Jae Crowder shares what his new teammates told him to help the Milwaukee Bucks’ cause /
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He has yet to see action in a Milwaukee Bucks uniform, but Jae Crowder’s tenure with his new team seems to have taken off to a good start.

Crowder said his new teammates showed a “great gesture” in their initial encounters after the Bucks acquired him in a three-team deal just before the trade deadline.

Warm welcome

Per their initial engagement, it was clear to Crowder that he doesn’t have to do extraordinary things to help the team’s cause. All he has to do is be himself.

“The conversations that I’ve had with the guys is “just be you” and I think that’s one of the best conversations you can have with a new teammate, not to try to change too much,” Crowder said.

Crowder brings so much to the table, but to be able to fit in with the system will be his most significant contribution.

“Just be you and blend into what we’ve got to do, learn our concepts, learn our terminology, and just be you. I think that’s a great gesture from the organization as a whole,” he added.

History

The Bucks certainly know a lot about the 13-year veteran. The 32-year defensive ace played the last two seasons in Phoenix and was one of the Suns’ main weapons when they faced the Bucks in the 2021 Finals.

Milwaukee went on to win that championship showdown, but now they will try to replicate that feat with Crowder now at their disposal.

“I’ve had my fair share of battles with every guy in the locker room, so they know exactly what I bring. I just have to bring that,” said Crowder, who shot 38.9% from the three-point area in the 2020-21 season, where he averaged 27.5 minutes per game.

It remains unclear when Crowder will finally suit up for the Bucks, but one thing is for sure: he will be a worthy addition.

“Just continue to come in, and just be you and just try to add on to what I said already is a great team,” said the 6-foot-6 forward. 

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.