Is Jae Crowder close to becoming the next DeMare Carroll?

[Rosco917]

When Jae Crowder initially became a Celtic, I have to admit, I knew very little about him. I did a little research, and heard he was a tough hard working player. I jumped onto the Maverick forum, and so many we're really sick to see him go. I said to myself, why Jae Crowder?

After watching a half season of Crowder play for the Celtics, I have to admit if he can gain more control and efficiency with his scoring. If he can raise his 3 point percentage a bit, and continue to get to the rim, and finish, he will become a very well respected name in the NBA. His effort and defense are outstanding.

His contract will be looked at as a steal.

[Celtics4ever]

Yes, but the whole point is if Crowder can improve his 3-point shooting.  Carroll was a career 28% 3-point shooter before joining the Hawks two years ago when he was 27.  Crowder is still a couple years younger, and shot closer to 33% during his 2.5 years with the Mavs, as opposed to the 28% he gave us.  Some of that is certainly usage -- his role greatly increased when he got here, which led to some worse shots.  But his usage rate in Dallas was much closer to Crowder's in Atlanta, so if he went back down to that amount of shots, you might see an uptick in shooting for that reason alone.

His shooting in Dallas was not exactly good either, behold

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/6581/jae-crowder

Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe when he shoots it.   I love his D, thinks he plays bigger than his size but I do not care for his shooting.   Sure, he could grow into a shooter and his FT shooting has vastly improved since his time in the league.

I see him as a backup on a good team.  I would not mind being wrong in that regard.

[Evantime34]

I think he could eventually make a Jimmy Butler type jump.

Their third year per 36 numbers are pretty similar. Played with each other in college, have worked out together in the off season in the past.

Biggest difference is that Jimmy had a much larger sample size of him playing 36+ minutes a game in his third season. 

Could Jae actually put up 14 pts / 7 reb / 1.5 stl with acceptable shooting efficiency if he were playing starter minutes?

That is the hope. Jae improved on his regular season numbers in the playoffs which is a good sign.

[PhoSita]

I think he could eventually make a Jimmy Butler type jump.

Their third year per 36 numbers are pretty similar. Played with each other in college, have worked out together in the off season in the past.

Biggest difference is that Jimmy had a much larger sample size of him playing 36+ minutes a game in his third season. 

Could Jae actually put up 14 pts / 7 reb / 1.5 stl with acceptable shooting efficiency if he were playing starter minutes?

That is the hope. Jae improved on his regular season numbers in the playoffs which is a good sign.

Jae's averages in the playoffs -- approx. 10 pts, 2 ast, 5 reb, 1 stl on 50 / 30 / 75 shooting in 25 minutes -- is a plausible statline I'd be more than happy to see him average for the season.

[Rondo9]

Assuming Crowder can bump his long range shooting up to where it was before he was traded from Dallas (he was averaging 34% from deep for them last year) then yes, it's entirely possible.

Agreed, with the caveat that Carroll's size will always be a significant advantage over Crowder, especially playing at the 4.

I think his strength and tenacity allows him to play bigger than his size.

[PhoSita]

Assuming Crowder can bump his long range shooting up to where it was before he was traded from Dallas (he was averaging 34% from deep for them last year) then yes, it's entirely possible.

Agreed, with the caveat that Carroll's size will always be a significant advantage over Crowder, especially playing at the 4.

I think his strength and tenacity allows him to play bigger than his size.

In some ways, yes.  He's very strong and can battle in the post with larger players.  He's not easy to push around.

On the other hand, he does lack length compared to a guy like Carroll (or Jimmy Butler) when you're looking at his ability to contest shots on the perimeter, bother shots inside, or get a hand in the passing lanes.  Also affects his ability to get his shot off.

Not trying to make an enormous deal out of a couple of inches, but for a perimeter player it makes a difference.  Jae's lack of height is part of why he fell to the second round in the first place.

[JBcat]

I think he could eventually make a Jimmy Butler type jump.

Their third year per 36 numbers are pretty similar. Played with each other in college, have worked out together in the off season in the past.

Biggest difference is that Jimmy had a much larger sample size of him playing 36+ minutes a game in his third season. 

Could Jae actually put up 14 pts / 7 reb / 1.5 stl with acceptable shooting efficiency if he were playing starter minutes?

For what it's worth I recall last year Crowder not playing all that great when he was in our starting lineup.  It wasn't until he went into a bench role that he seemed to play much better, and our team as a whole started playing much better.

[Celtics4ever]

I think his strength and tenacity allows him to play bigger than his size.

I agree, he is very mentally tough and strong.  I  do not think people realize how strong he is as only basketball junkies know this.

http://www.topendsports.com/sport/basketball/testing-draft-results-2012.htm

He benched 185  20 times at his combine, 11 more than Sully, who people wrongly think is strong but is more bulky than strong with his 9 reps.

[max215]

If Jae develops a consistent 3, he's a younger Carroll making half as much, been saying it ever since he resigned.

[ahonui06]

Jae Crowder turning into DeMarre Carroll would be the ideal situation for Boston. If Crowder works on his 3 point shot and improves the shooting efficiency he will be a great steal.

[Rondo9]

Assuming Crowder can bump his long range shooting up to where it was before he was traded from Dallas (he was averaging 34% from deep for them last year) then yes, it's entirely possible.

Agreed, with the caveat that Carroll's size will always be a significant advantage over Crowder, especially playing at the 4.

I think his strength and tenacity allows him to play bigger than his size.

In some ways, yes.  He's very strong and can battle in the post with larger players.  He's not easy to push around.

On the other hand, he does lack length compared to a guy like Carroll (or Jimmy Butler) when you're looking at his ability to contest shots on the perimeter, bother shots inside, or get a hand in the passing lanes.  Also affects his ability to get his shot off.

Not trying to make an enormous deal out of a couple of inches, but for a perimeter player it makes a difference.  Jae's lack of height is part of why he fell to the second round in the first place.

Crowder at what? 6'6? I don't think it's too much of a big deal, especially if he develop a three point shot.

[Rondo9]

edit.

[PhoSita]

Crowder at what? 6'6? I don't think it's too much of a big deal, especially if he develop a three point shot.

DraftExpress has him listed at 6' 4.75'' without shoes, so 6'6'' is probably a little generous.  Guess it depends on how big his shoes are.

DX also lists a Nets workout measurement at 6' 3.75'' without shoes and 6' 5.5'' with shoes.


Anyway, I agree that greatly improving his three point shot so that he can average at least 1 three pointer a game is the most important thing for Jae moving forward.

[jambr380]

I think he will be more like Eric Williams

Williams is one of my all-time favorite Celtics (like top 10-15, not top 3) and I can definitely see the similarities, but I think he was a lot nicer on the court than Crowder appears to be.

My favorite thing about Crowder is that he is the guy the best team in the NBA (before losing their superstar PG and PF) chose to go after TWICE. Since he is not a star, this says a lot about Crowder's tenacity and overall effectiveness on the court.

And, yes, I can definitely see Crowder having a similar role and effect on the game as Carroll.

[LooseCannon]

He's like an older Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a mediocre rather than non-existent jumpshot.