NBA referee Danny Crawford retires after 31 seasons
NBA referee Danny Crawford retires after 31 seasons
After 31 NBA seasons and more than 2,000 regular season games, referee Danny Crawford is calling it a career.
Crawford announced his retirement Wednesday through the NBA Referees Twitter account.
Dan Crawford, one of the most accomplished referees in NBA history, is retiring.
Congrats to Danny on an incredible career! pic.twitter.com/yZYgPWof0m
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) August 2, 2017
Crawford had worked 23 consecutive NBA Finals, including the final game of his career in June as the Warriors beat the Cavaliers to clinch the NBA championship. How long has Crawford been around? In the first of those Finals, Hakeem Olajuwon and the Rockets knocked off Shaquille O'Neal and the Magic.
The veteran earned praise throughout the league for his work on the court. FanRagSports.com notes that in a 2015-16 survey asking NBA players to name the best referee, Crawford finished first by a wide margin. And following the announcement of Crawford's retirement, NBA players checked in with their well wishes on social media.
Congrts Danny. Always had nothing but respect! https://t.co/IW0UwhvrrB
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) August 2, 2017
The 63-year-old Crawford refereed 12 seasons at the college and CBA level before coming to the NBA.