Jamal Crawford Is Tony Soprano

It became official Friday night in Milwaukee, The Atlanta Hawks are Jamal Crawford's team. The city of Atlanta is cool with that and the Atlanta Hawks are cool with that. This is reminiscent of when Tony had to take the reins from Junior Soprano. Even though Junior was the acting boss everyone knew it was really Tony that ran the organization. Same with Atlanta. Joe Johnson has become a figurehead, the face of the franchise but not the heart and soul. Jamal is the heart and soul. Where as Joe isn't showing loyalty to the organization, always threatening to leave if he doesn't get a bigger piece of the pie, Jamal put the Hawks on his back and said do your worst. The team turned to him in the clutch and they prevailed. If you notice no one was asking Joe Johnson before game 6 if he was feeling the pressure to win. Instead they were asking Jamal if he was going to come through for his team. He did. Jamal makes it easier for everyone to earn. The 206 personality helps create a harmonious locker room environment. He even comes off the bench so as not to step on any one's toes. Joe Johnson is moody and jealous. He pouts when he doesn't get enough attention but if he gets too much attention he wilts under the pressure of expectation. This has been coming. Jamal's been the silent leader for quite a while. This is just the first time he has had to publicly display it. Atlanta will be better off for it.