Crawford, who wore uniform number 17, was regarded as one of the most punitive and controversial officials in the NBA and developed a reputation for assessing technical fouls against both players and coaches.

At the conclusion of a four-year investigation, Crawford pleaded guilty on July 1, 1998[6] to falsely stating income of $82,500 from 1991 to 1993[7] and resigned from the NBA, effective immediately.

He was the sixth NBA referee in history to reach 2,000 games, joining Mendy Rudolph, Jake O'Donnell, Dick Bavetta, Earl Strom, and Tommy Nuñez.

[3] On April 15, 2007, Crawford ejected San Antonio Spurs player Tim Duncan during a game against the Dallas Mavericks.

[9] On April 17, Crawford was fined $100,000[10] and suspended for the remainder of the 2006–07 season and the 2007 playoffs, ending his streak of officiating 21 consecutive NBA Finals.

The league also fined Duncan $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official and warned that a repeat incident in the future would result in an ejection.

Commissioner David Stern said Crawford's actions "failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees.