It's Time to Give Danny His Due - Jae Crowder is a Stud

[beantownboy171]

Over the past month we have seen this kids confidence grow and grow. It terms of overall impact, I think by season's end he'll be viewed as the best player on the roster.

Jae is a remarkably well rounded player. He was known for his slashing coming out of college. But he is shooting well enough from all over the court to gain the defense attention. He brings energy and has a passion for the game.

He's a strong defender and can guard at least 3 positions (2, 3, 4) at a high level.

As a 2nd rounder project who's emerged as a well-rounded, defense first small forward, it's difficult to find a better comparison than his Marquette teammate Jimmy Butler.

I had to look this up, but Butler was drafted the year before Crowder entered the league.


Danny draft strategy still appears murky, and should be viewed critically. But this is another trade triumph for Ainge. When he moved Rondo roughly a year ago, he appeared to settle on a less than stellar package. But like most trades DA makes, they only look better as time passes.

Don't forget that Ainge has locked this kid up for an additional 4 years at a great price.

[Chris22]

Ainge is a genius.

[loco_91]

Crowder is the 2nd best player on a solid playoff squad.

Not too shabby.

[chambers]

Crowder is the 2nd best player on a solid playoff squad.

Not too shabby.

If he keeps playing like this for the rest of the year hell arguably be our best  and most important player considering his defensive impact.

What's amazing with Ainge is his ability to recognize genuine elite defensive potential.
Avery, Smart,  Crowder, Rozier, Mickey.

Ainge really is the fu%&$! man.

[alldaboston]

Danny's always been a good trader. It's his drafting that hasn't always been as good. That said, I doubt he goes wrong this year, assuming we get a top 3 pick.

[LarBrd33]

considering that we were about to lose ROndo for nothing, nabbing Crowder and a late 1st for him wasn't bad return at all.  Crowder has really played well.   Give Ainge credit.

Though he probably should have traded Rondo a year or two earlier.

[mahcus smaht]

considering that we were about to lose ROndo for nothing, nabbing Crowder and a late 1st for him wasn't bad return at all.  Crowder has really played well.   Give Ainge credit.

Though he probably should have traded Rondo a year or two earlier.

I think the ACL thing made it really hard. I think Ainge would have ideally had 2013 playoffs been a final big 4 huzzah and then done the Nets trade and shipped Rondo off either then or in the middle of the 2014 season. However, instead he had to wait because no one was gonna pay a huge price for a pg who just tore and ACL. Then I think Ainge expected Rondo to return, put up huge stats and rebuild trade value along the timeline for a trade around the 2014 draft, but Rondo didnt quite do that, so he was forced to sell a little bit later and at a lower price.

Ultimately I dont know if you can blame Ainge as it would have been hard to trade Rondo and keep Paul and Kevin and im sure he looked at offers constantly. 

[JSD]

Though he probably should have traded Rondo a year or two earlier.

Such revisionist history not taking into account the ECF appearance or the injury.

[aingeforthree]

That bulldog just keeps getting better, & better, & better, & better...... Goodness. If he gets that consistent shot down night after night, my oh my. Watch out

[BudweiserCeltic]

He needs to keep getting to the line, that's his main strength right now. His shot is not always there, inconsistent at that overall, but he keeps getting to the line all will be good.

Next for him is to become more of a threat playing for others... take this to mean a better passer.

[The One]

considering that we were about to lose ROndo for nothing, nabbing Crowder and a late 1st for him wasn't bad return at all.  Crowder has really played well.   Give Ainge credit.

Though he probably should have traded Rondo a year or two earlier.

LarBrd33 is the best!

Crowder gets a thumbs up...Ainge gets the finger!   

TP to you!

[Clench123]

I think we found our captain.  The kid has been a gem since last season, not just recently.  Thomas may have improved us significantly but it was Crowder who came in with the "no losing, no tanking" mentality.  The leadership skill he has shown is incredible.  When everything seems to be falling apart sometimes, he seems to be the only one who has it.  Crown him already. 

Like I've said in the past, and I may be speaking too soon, he's one guy I feel should retire a Celtic.  Only two guys I won't trade if I were Danny is Smart and Crowder.

[trickybilly]

Jumping lessons. Guy can barely jump/dunk. Heart in mouth every time he attacks the rim. That being said, he definitely has the spatial wherewithal to finish through contact.

[Granath]

considering that we were about to lose ROndo for nothing, nabbing Crowder and a late 1st for him wasn't bad return at all.  Crowder has really played well.   Give Ainge credit.

Though he probably should have traded Rondo a year or two earlier.

No one was going to trade for Rondo while he had an ACL tear.

[Granath]

Jumping lessons. Guy can barely jump/dunk. Heart in mouth every time he attacks the rim. That being said, he definitely has the spatial wherewithal to finish through contact.

The dude has to be 240+ pounds. That's a lot of weight to get airborne. If he could jump, he'd be Lebron.