Jamal Crawford would be so much better now if he had been working with Keith Smart five years ago, the Warriors' assistant coach said.

"He's been holding out his whole career," Smart said Sunday. "Holding out.  He knows that.  There is more to his game."

"I've always known defense was important," Crawford said. "But Coach Smart has communicated it to me in a way that's really challenged me to be a better defender. He's a great communicator. He knows how to get something across to his players. Coach Smart has taught me that, being the point guard, I can have as big an impact on a game on that end of the floor. That's kind of a new perspective. Ninety percent of players think of offense first."

Crawford could use his opt-out clause this summer.

"I'm entering my prime," Crawford said. "To have these types of coaches at this point in my career, it can only take me to the next level."