Jae Crowder on offense

[WolfofCausewayStreet]

Some of my observations and concerns:

-Excellent spot up shooter...shooting 41% from three so far this year with more than 5 attempts per game. Also a solid pull-up from midrange.

-very efficient from the field in general. 47+%

- in transition, where he has the first step, he is able to power through the defense to get an easy layup or a trip to the line.

-doesn't look like he has taken the next step on offense, however. He is unable to create his own shot. Doesn't have the handles or the quickness necessary to create space on offense in iso. Doesn't have a go to move to get a shot off either (step back, spin move, fadeaway)

-is much less aggressive on offense this year and seems more hesitant to drive.

- his hesitancy can be momentum killing. When there's an opening, he doesn't do much off the dribble. He could penetrate and kick it out to the open man, get to the line, get points in the paint....but I've seen none of that. The defense is able to react and the offensive possession is back to square one. I've seen a couple times where he had mismatches, sometimes even on a fast break, and he wouldn't even consider attacking.

Any of you find this concerning?

[LilRip]

He's pretty much a 3 and D player, TBH, so no, I don't find it concerning really. It's just a matter of expectations, I guess. He's a high level role player for me because he does what he's supposed to do quite well. Creating offense though isn't something I want Crowder regularly doing.

[moiso]

It would be nice if he had the ability to create but like you said, he doesn't have the quickness or ballhandling ability, and he usually doesn't have a size advantage.  One go to power move, post up move, or fallaway would be a huge addition.

But like LilRip said, we have an excellent 3 and d player, and that's a very nice thing to have.  Plus, Crowder's shot seems to continue to improve.

[Celtics4ever]

-very efficient from the field in general. 47+%

Wasn't the NBA averages for FG like 45%, that makes him slightly and not very efficient.  It also shows just how poorly below average some of the guys are at shooting.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html

[jambr380]

-very efficient from the field in general. 47+%

Wasn't the NBA averages for FG like 45%, that makes him slightly and not very efficient.  It also shows just how poorly below average some of the guys are at shooting.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html

I think he was saying that 47% on his FG was impressive because of how many threes he takes compared to other shots on the floor. If most of his shots were at the rim, then it would be much less impressive.

As for Crowder not taking the next step, I guess it is a little disappointing, but I am very happy with the progress he has made with his three and straight-line drives. He also seems to have a decent one-dribble mid-range pull-up that is pretty solid.

As the OP said, he is a high level 3 and D guy and that is awesome for $7M/yr. If he could have the same efficiency with more shots, then I would want him taking those shots; otherwise, I am very happy with his level of play. Besides, AB is the one who took a huge step forward this year - I think we should all just be very happy with the current composition of this team, knowing that a 'star' big would make us amazing.

[bdm860]

-very efficient from the field in general. 47+%

Wasn't the NBA averages for FG like 45%, that makes him slightly and not very efficient.  It also shows just how poorly below average some of the guys are at shooting.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html

I think he was saying that 47% on his FG was impressive because of how many threes he takes compared to other shots on the floor. If most of his shots were at the rim, then it would be much less impressive.

Maybe he was just comparing him to Marcus Smart 

One of those times when eFG% or TS% is a better stat to use than FG%.

League average is currently .507 (eFG%) and .546 (TS%) and Crowder is at .592 (eFG%) and .629 (TS%).  Out of the 138 players averaging 10+ ppg this year Crowder comes in at 12th and 13th in those 2 metrics.

Probably fair to call him efficient.

[BitterJim]

-very efficient from the field in general. 47+%

Wasn't the NBA averages for FG like 45%, that makes him slightly and not very efficient.  It also shows just how poorly below average some of the guys are at shooting.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_stats.html

That completely ignores where shots are taken.  An inside-only big man shooting 50% is horrible, but a guard who mainly shoots 3s hitting that same 50% is elite.  Considering that Jae's shots are mainly outside (54.5% of his shots are 3s [which he hits at 40.8%], and 75.4% of his shots are taken beyond 16' [long 2s and 3 pointers]), hitting 48.0% of his shots is great.

In fact, among 20+mpg players this season with more 3PA than 2PA, Crowder is tied with Patty Mills for the 2nd best FG% behind only Jared Dudley (49.4%), and right ahead of Steph Curry (46.7%) and JJ Reddick (46.6%).  Even if you relax the criteria to at least half as many 3PA as you have 2PA, he's still 7th.

You don't have to like Crowder, but you can't act like he's not being extremely efficient this year

[Chris22]

When Crowder drove to the basket last year, he got knocked down, but never got a foul call, and then he got injured. I think his reluctance to drive this year is a reaction to that and a wise one. I would rather have him healthy for the playoffs and playing the way he is, than injured and not much use to us. Smart move on his and Stevens part in my opinion.

[nickagneta]

Crowder has limitations and many of his limitations are the negative aspects that the OP wants him to improve on but isnt happening. As Who stated, Crowder is an excellent role playing 3 and D guy. He also is great at letting his offense come to him in the flow of the team offense.

Not everyone can be a superstar and have an overall excellent two way game.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

He has actually toyed with a fade away a bit this year.

Generally, I agree. In one sense, he did take the leap by becoming so much more efficient at things that average NBA players struggle with. On the other hand, he hasn't added new offense creation moves.

I've also noticed he is going to the basket a little less this year.

[Snakehead]

Him being able to do something more off the dribble is what would make him a legit star type player but otherwise he's really good.  He's efficient and good in spot up situations.  I think he has gotten better every year and I wouldn't count him out from making that improvement.  Bradley has added that to his game this year and has become borderline All-Star level.  Either way, having a guy like him is not a bad thing when you have guys who can draw attention and pass like IT and Horford.

[Denis998]

He is percentage points away from being in the 50 40 90 club.

[clevelandceltic]

I think the OP hints at kinda an underline problem with this team in that its wings arent playmakers and have a difficult time creating shots for themselves. As the OP said it causes the offense to restart or continue to swing the ball without putting much basket pressure on the D.

I find Crowder to be an excellent player for his skill set however next to AB his problems are a little more magnified. You add in Amir and well you have a fairly limited offense that is totally reliant on spacing to create offense.

Long term, I dont think AB and Crowder can play together at a high enough level to get this team where it wants to go. I think one will need to move to a reserve role to get a more dynamic player in the starting lineup that would allow for greater shot creation in that lineup.

[mgent]

I think it would help his game if he looked to drive more often instead of just keeping the ball moving.

But then again, I feel like I can say the same thing about every single one of our players except for IT and (of all players) the rookie.

Brad has the team pass-happy.  I think it's unfair to call out guys like Crowder, Jerebko, Amir for not driving and not being aggressive, when it's the coach who's telling them how to play.

We have several players who would be completely different offensive players outside of this system.

[clevelandceltic]

Who do you think would be different outside of this system? I can think of 2 maybe 3 max.

I think it would help his game if he looked to drive more often instead of just keeping the ball moving.

But then again, I feel like I can say the same thing about every single one of our players except for IT and (of all players) the rookie.

Brad has the team pass-happy.  I think it's unfair to call out guys like Crowder, Jerebko, Amir for not driving and not being aggressive, when it's the coach who's telling them how to play.

We have several players who would be completely different offensive players outside of this system.