SpeedyG wrote:I'm not ready to say that Crabbe isn't that guy yet. Yes his % is expected to go down with more usage, but he has gotten some good looks that just hasn't gone down.
More importantly, the shot looks good more often than not when it leaves his hand. and he doesn't look like he's playing without confidence.
He's also been hurt and playing with a new team and is asking to do more than he's done in the NBA ever. The shots have been there (though I'd like to see more sets getting him and Harris easier shots than curling off screen to hit a catch and shoot 3)
Here was my initial thoughs at the time as to why I though it was extremely unlikely he would increase scoring without drastically reducing his percentages.... for some perspective:
-In general, it is difficult to maintain an elite 3point percentage year to year. even guys like Korver struggle to maintain 43% or higher year over year.
-Crabbe has only tops 40% one time. He has gotten better each of the last 3 years, but still did not have a long track record of being at over 43% from deep.
-In general More volume = lower percentages. this becomes more concrete the further you get from the rim (at the rim vs in the paint vs midrange vs three etc....)
-He took 97% of he threes in catch and shoot situations last season. Players shoot significantly higher from three in catch and shoot situations. With the Nets, it seemed likely that percentage would go dowm and he would do more shooting on the move. and further less threes from the corner and more straight away (a main option of our motion offense)
-I didnt think he could maintain his FG percentage being asked to create moe offense for himself/score more outside of shooting threes. He really is not a threat off the dribble to hurt you to the point where it would prevent guys from running him off the line... or at least that was the case in portland
now sure, all that could change. Kenny is the best at what he does when it comes to improving older players (not old, but beyond the typical arc). But it just seemed to me from watching him and the stats/aituational stats that it was really unlikely for him to:
A) drastically increase his scoring
B) Not see a dip in his shooting percentages
C) Both A & B at the same time
I thought on our team he would look more like Joe Harris from a shooting percentage standpoint. I dont think that was ever "hating" on Crabbe. and while it not play out that way, I never understood why that was some outlandish statement given they had similar college impact, are similar size, and had similar stats through 3 years (this is harris 4th year, he hadnt played his 4th year yet at the time of those statements).
And my criticism was always of marks. not Crabbe. Crabbe fits. he just doesnt fit at 19 million. its not his fault that Marks overpaid him or traded for him without getting paid for it like a salary dump.
