Can the referee be inducted into the Hall of Fame? Revealing Danny Crawford s Way of Success

Danny Crawford was calm when he ended his 32-year NBA referee career in 2017. Eight years later, this old man who is always curious, energetic and well-loved is still so busy that he often forgets that he once had a full-time job. When he gets addicted to golf, he swings three or four times a week on the western suburbs of Chicago, and when the weather is bad, he switches to Florida or other warm areas. He and his wife Claudia travel frequently, and have just recently visited Australia and New Zealand. Next, they will go to Israel to watch their son Drew compete in the professional league.

The breakfast party at least once a month was even more unstoppable, and sixty or seventy old friends took turns to accompany them. Like Crawford, these friends from the Mets include retired players, coaches, referees and hardcore fans, covering all levels from street courts to professional courts: NBA celebrities such as Tim Hardaway, Sonny Parker, Mickey Johnson, Larroo Martin, Roger Brown and Jim Brewer are among them. Some of this group of basketball addicts are quitting their addictions, while others are already deeply trapped in it and cannot extricate themselves.

"They are all NBA loyalists," Crawford said in a phone interview last week. "So of course I will complain to me about the referee's penalty. "

As one of the critics, Crawford, 71, understands this mood too much. Before he started his NBA referee career in 1985, enforced more than 2,000 regular season games and was selected for the 2025 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he was also a player who had been arguing with the referee.

"I will definitely argue with the referee when encountering a controversial foul," he laughed. "Although I haven't reached the technical foul level of Dream Chasing Green or Rashid Wallace, there are enough. "

This Saturday, Crawford will be commended at the Springfield Symphony Hall, Massachusetts with other members of the 2025 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is about to welcome many legends including NBA star Dwight Howard, Cameron Anthony, Heat owner Mickey Allison and the 2008 "Salvation Team". Compared with the booings he faced on the court back then, the size of the crowd he celebrated this time would be far beyond his imagination.

"My life is incredible," Crawford sighed, "Have the best family and have worked in the best job in the world. If I were rich, I would definitely be willing to do this job for free. "

As the third of nine children, Crawford played at Cracill High School in the West Side of Chicago and Northeast Illinois University, and then started from the primary and secondary league, gradually promoted to college games and the annual league organized by the Chicago Park Service.

"When I fell in love with referee work, it was like playing five days a week to referee five or even six days," he said. "I can't give up both loves. "

In order to balance my livelihood, Crawford worked as a substitute teacher and was fired for investing too much in refereeship while working in a record company. He later enforced games between the Missouri Valley League and the Continental Basketball Association and eventually received an invitation to the NBA training program.

During the NBA's dual referee system, Crawford was promoted to head of the referee before the end of the third season. He enforced more than 300 playoff games, including 30 finals: he has been in the finals for 23 consecutive years since 1997, witnessed Jordan's last dance in Salt Lake City in 1998, and witnessed a classic moment in Oakland when the Cavaliers fell 1-3 behind and reversed the Warriors in 2016.

Crawford always maintains the player's perspective: "I will listen to their complaints, and when they finish venting, they will say 'Okay, keep playing '. You can't play an authoritative attitude on the court. These professional players are used to listening 'Okay,' and suddenly they will easily cause conflicts when they hear 'No,'"

Former NBA referee Bob Delaney commented: "Danny never holds grudges. He understands the kind of burst of desire for victory for players and coaches. Most of the time they are not targeting you, but your penalty hinders them from winning, which is an emotional reaction. '

73-year-old Delaney made his debut with Crawford, who was the first referee leader in 1988. When he was the head of the league's referee ten years ago, he noticed that his old partner was quitting.

"I knew he wanted to retire," said Delaney. "I always said to him that you are my Tim Duncan, I can't live without you every May and June. So we will arrange load management when necessary. During the two months of the playoffs, I had to make sure to be the top referee. "

Crawford recalled: "Those games are under a lot of pressure, especially the anxious matchup. You just want the right side to win - that you know you're doing your duty. And the losing side won't chase you to the locker room to vent. "

Crawford will be inducted into the Hall of Fame along with referee celebrities such as Mendy Rudolph, Earl Strom, Darrell Gallerson, Hugh Evans and Dick Barvita. There are still long queues on the waiting list - Joey Crawford, Steve Javi, Duke Callahan, Delaney and other peers are all qualified to be selected.

This group is fiercely competitive. After the news of Crawford's selection in April this year was announced, some people began to compare their qualifications. But in the final analysis, it is better to have a benchmark figure than not every night in those unapplauded courtesy.

"I always feel that when any of us are recognized, it means that the entire referee group is recognized," Delaney said.

Mark Davis, 57, had experienced Crawford law enforcement competitions when he was studying at St. Inner Terr High School in Chicago. Now entering his 26th NBA season, he believes that his mentor perfectly interprets the referee's creed "game, partner, and self".

"Danny was on the scene when I attended the first referee camp," said Davis. "His humble traits make the perfect referee. Always act low-key, but afterwards you will say 'As a matter of course, complete the task perfectly '. "

Legendary referee Joey Crawford (the two are not related by blood, just looking at the appearance) particularly appreciates Danny's calm style of dealing with things - a stark contrast to his own hot temper.

"Nothing can anger Danny. And I was the type that broke out at any time back then. But he always maintained restraint and made accurate judgments," Joey said. "There are few referees who can cool down the mood of players on the court. Many referees haven't learned this. I talked to Steve Jarvey, and that a hot personality like ours can sometimes cause trouble for young referees. "

"The most amazing thing about Danny is that he can resolve the tension. He is the sedative on the field. Unfortunately, some referees never learn. One day I discussed with Steve that a combative personality like ours sometimes creates more problems for newcomers. "

"We believe that young referees should be protected. Danny's approach is to keep calm and take them out of the predicament - this is the responsibility of an excellent referee team leader. "

Some referees are famous for controversial punishments - such as Duncan was expelled by Joey for laughter, or Chris Paul's public boycott of Scott Foster. And Danny's most interesting encounter was exactly the show of his wisdom.

"At the late afternoon game that year, we had all the targets, and Tiger Woods was making a comeback in the Masters," Doug Rivers, then the Celtics coach (now the Bucks coach) Doug Rivers recalled, "Dan Ingles said at the half-time break that Tigers may turn the tables, do you want to stay and see? 'I said 'Brother is midfielder ', he encouraged 'Then you will be expelled! ' "

"So I protested wildly in the third quarter and tried to be sent off. As a result, Danny Crawford called me: 'Hey come here! I want to see it too, you don't want to go anywhere. 'He forced me to be sent off. "

Rivers added: "His greatness is that he can control the game and control the hearts of the people. For me, this is the most important quality for referees. Danny can handle any game. As long as he is present, you will feel that the pressure is not enough to be afraid of whether at home or away. "

Later in his career, Crawford developed the habit of leading a team for a walk after lunch.

"When you walk, everyone talks about family trivia rather than basketball," said Delaney, "but this has brought team cohesion to a new level. This became his fixed ceremony, cultivating extraordinary trust and tacit understanding. "

Referees are usually reluctant to talk about their favorite players, but from the deep retirement safety zone, Crawford mentioned Grant Hill, and the other is Ray Allen, but there is an important footnote.

"Others are particularly good. But I once played in Miami for a technical foul," Crawford said, "It was specifically because of other players' affairs. Do you know? He never talked to me all his career since. "

"I went home after that game, and my daughter Lea said: 'Dad, you are on the hot search now. Everyone is talking about you, and the evaluation is not very good. 'I was overreacting at the time and gave him a technical foul, and I still regret it. "

Perhaps Crawford would make up for the regret in Saturday's Hall of Fame speech. Shortly after learning about the induction in April this year, he found out that it was actually his own children - Leah and Drew - who nominated him. When Leah explained their thoughts, his resistance to the spotlight was replaced by a stronger emotion.

Crawford said: "She said: 'Dad, it's not about you. It's about your legacy, our family can be passed on forever, letting the grandchildren know their grandfather. 'I cried when I heard this. "

"This is a great honor to me. I wanted to take a step back and say: 'I don't deserve it. 'But my children will knock on my head and say, 'Dad, you deserve it. ' " (NBA official website)