"Ramel and I have been through a lot. We have both grown from the similar situations that we have been through. I think we have leaned on each for certain things since we have been here," Crawford said. "Without him being here, I don't know if I would have made it the last four years.
"We have looked to each other for motivation. When he was going through tough times, I would tell him certain things to get through it and he would do the same things for me."
When Crawford briefly left the team midway of his freshman season, it was Bradley who pleaded with him to come back. They were roommates that year and developed a strong bond that has not been broken.
Like brothers now
"Our friendship started then. We have been together 24/7 and it is almost like we are brothers now. I love Joe. I got him to come to New York City. His little brother played in a tournament there," Bradley said.
"I took him around Brooklyn and showed him why we have the best in everything. He loved it and he knows New York is better than Detroit (where Crawford is from). He never really had an argument that Detroit was better, other than his pride in his city."
Bradley has always valued winning even though at times his decision-making has been questionable. He's never been afraid to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Sometimes that has resulted in sensational plays. Other times it has resulted in huge mistakes.
But he never backed down or was afraid to try and make a big play again the next game.
"Was he a guy who took some chances here and there? Absolutely. Did he put up a few bad shots? There is no question. Did he make a few mistakes along the way? Yes he did," Walker said.
"He typifies the New York point guard. He has a lot of attitude, confidence and personality. He is a like a street fighter. Probably pound for pound, he is maybe the toughest competitor I have seen at Kentucky since Dirk Minniefield. He doesn't back down from anyone and that's another thing I am going to remember about him."
Bradley is just glad Kentucky fans will remember the way he helped this young, injury-prone team survive coach Billy Gillispie's first season. The Cats struggled early. They have been hit with injury after injury. However, a win over Florida secures a surprising second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division with a 12-4 record. That's not bad for a team that was 6-7 entering conference play.
Key to success
One big reason for that success is Bradley. He's averaging 16 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He leads the team with 89 assists and 46 steals. He's shooting 84.2 percent at the foul line. In SEC play, he's averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
"It is very gratifying to end my career this way," Bradley said." It shows my growth and my improvement. It is a great position to be in. I always wanted to be looked at as a leader of the team and a key part to winning."
"I am amazed at how fast my time here has gone. Right now I am just trying to take every minute in. I just want to live in the moment every time I am out there on the court, and even when I am walking around on campus."
Bradley once wondered if he made the right choice by coming to Kentucky and how his New York upbringing would mesh with the UK fan base. However, it all went even better than he anticipated.
"I didn't really know how I was going to take to the environment, but it is has been way better then what I expected it to be, both basketball-wise and socially in Lexington," Bradley said. "I did about how I would fit in with these people, but when I came here I realized that people here are great people. I have a lot of really good friends here and it has been really good.
"There are so many celebrities that walk the streets of New York, nobody knows who you are. Here, everybody knows who you are. Personally, I like that."
It's also why Crawford has no doubt Bradley will cry during the pregame ceremony honoring the seniors.
"I think Ramel will cry for the cameras. He won't be able to help it. That's just the way he is," Crawford said.
