The Forgotten 40: Ron Crevier’s Fleeting Moment in Golden State Warriors History

In the sprawling, star-studded narrative of the Golden State Warriors, a franchise adorned with the legends of Chamberlain, Barry, Mullin, and Curry, countless threads are woven into the tapestry. For every jersey retired to the rafters, dozens more have been worn briefly and forgotten by time. The journey of jersey number 40 for the Warriors is one such path, a number sported by 11 different players across the team’s storied existence on both coasts. Among them lies a unique and almost spectral entry: Ron Crevier, a 7-foot-1 center from Montreal whose entire Warriors career lasted a single game in 1985. His story is a poignant reminder of the thin line between an NBA dream and its reality, a fascinating footnote in the rich chronology of Warriors jersey history.

A Canadian Giant’s Path to the Bay

Long before he stepped onto an NBA floor, Ron Crevier was making a name for himself at Boston College. As a senior in 1983, he led the Eagles to the Elite Eight, forming a formidable frontcourt with fellow future NBA player John Garris. His size and collegiate pedigree were enough to get him noticed in the 1983 NBA Draft, where the Chicago Bulls selected him with the 75th overall pick in the fourth round. Yet, the NBA dream was deferred. The league’s landscape in the early 80s was different, with fewer roster spots and a less international focus. Instead of heading to Chicago, Crevier took his talents overseas, playing professionally in France and Italy, honing his skills against seasoned European competition.

This detour was not uncommon for players on the fringe of the NBA at the time. It provided valuable professional experience, but it also kept them out of the direct sight of NBA scouts and decision-makers. For two seasons, Crevier developed his game abroad, a 7-foot-1 question mark waiting for an answer back in North America. That answer would finally come in 1985, not from the Bulls who drafted him, but from the Golden State Warriors, a team in transition looking for depth in the frontcourt.

One Game, One Number: The Briefest of Stints

In the 1985-86 season, the Warriors were led by the high-scoring trio of Purvis Short, Sleepy Floyd, and rookie Chris Mullin. The center position was manned by the likes of Joe Barry Carroll and Jerome Whitehead. It was into this mix that Ron Crevier entered, signing a contract to provide practice depth and potential insurance. On December 14, 1985, that insurance was briefly cashed in. In a road game against the Houston Rockets—a team featuring the towering twin towers of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson—Ron Crevier made his NBA debut wearing the Warriors’ number 40 jersey.

The stat line from that night is a study in minimalism, a snapshot of a career held in suspension:

• Minutes Played: 4
• Points: 0
• Rebounds: 0
• Assists: 0
• Personal Fouls: 1

There were no field goal attempts. His presence is recorded only by that single foul committed in four minutes of action against one of the most formidable frontcourts in NBA history. The Warriors lost the game 117-106. Shortly thereafter, Crevier was released. His NBA journey, culminating in a single, stat-less game, was over. He returned to Europe, where he enjoyed a long and successful career, but his name was etched forever in the Warriors’ media guide as one of the most ephemeral players in franchise history.

Expert Analysis: The Context of a Cup of Coffee

To understand Crevier’s single game, one must understand the era. The mid-1980s NBA did not have the sophisticated two-way contracts or expansive G-League development system of today. Rosters were smaller, and “project” players, especially international ones, had a much harder time sticking. A team like the Warriors, not yet a contender, would often cycle through big men hoping to find a diamond in the rough or a temporary body for practice.

Crevier’s situation was the definition of a “cup of coffee” stint. He was a situational signing, likely brought in due to injury or foul trouble concerns among the regular big men. His one appearance came against perhaps the worst possible matchup: the 7-foot-4 Sampson and the 7-foot Olajuwon. Throwing a player making his debut into that crucible was less about evaluation and more about survival—a coach needing to steal a few minutes of rest for his regulars in a physically punishing game.

From a jersey history perspective, Crevier represents the vast majority of professional athletes: those who touch the dream but cannot grasp it. The Warriors jersey number 40 has been worn by more notable players like Uwe Blab and Adonal Foyle, but Crevier’s story is arguably more emblematic of the number’s journey. It is a number often assigned to training camp invites, late-season signings, and big men on the fringe—a placeholder digit waiting for a permanent owner who never quite arrives.

Predictions & Legacy: The Value of the Footnote

In today’s analytics-driven NBA, a player with Crevier’s profile might have a different path. His size and European experience would likely earn him a two-way contract, extensive G-League development time, and a more patient evaluation process. Teams now actively mine the international scene for talent, and a 7-foot-1 Canadian with professional experience would get a longer, more structured look.

However, the legacy of Ron Crevier’s single game with the Warriors is secure in its uniqueness. In the franchise’s 75+ year history, with over 600 players, he stands as a symbol of the countless “almosts” and “what-ifs.” His story enriches the fabric of the team’s history, reminding us that for every Stephen Curry shooting from the logo, there is a Ron Crevier playing four quiet minutes in Houston. These stories are not trivial; they are essential to understanding the full scope of the league. They highlight the immense difficulty of earning and keeping an NBA roster spot, making the achievements of the stars even more remarkable.

As the Warriors continue to build upon their modern dynasty, the history of numbers like jersey number 40 serves as a bridge to the past. It connects the eras of Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Oakland, reminding fans that every number has a story, and not every story is filled with glory. Some are brief, humble, and human—a single line in a record book that represents a lifetime of work for one night in the NBA.

Conclusion: More Than a Stat Line

The history of the Golden State Warriors is written in championship banners, MVP trophies, and iconic moments. But it is also written in the transient lives of jersey numbers, passed from player to player like a baton in a relay where most runners only go a few steps. Ron Crevier, the fourth of eleven to wear number 40, took perhaps the shortest sprint of all. Yet, his single game in 1985 is a vital part of the team’s chronology. It speaks to the global reach of basketball, the relentless pursuit of a dream, and the harsh, often brief reality of professional sports at its highest level. In commemorating every player who has donned the Warriors uniform, we honor not just the legends, but the journeyers like Crevier—men whose legacy isn’t in points or rebounds, but in the profound fact that they were, unequivocally, Golden State Warriors, if only for a night.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.