Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Allen Crabbe brings a variety of talents to the Portland Trail Blazers that could help the team in its quest to be playoff contenders this season.
What the Blazers especially like about their rookie from California has been his jump shot. He’s been known to have outstanding mechanics with the shot and a natural follow-through. He also has deep range. He was able to shoot over tall defenders in his college days. He’s also an excellent 3-point shooter and is deadly on the catch-and-shoot, and sometimes also on screens.
Related: Portland Trail Blazers 2013 Player Profile: Will Barton
The Blazers will work with him on beating his man off the dribble and being able to create high-percentage shots on his own. This usually is a factor that stymies excellent college players in their hopes of having a fine NBA career. The Blazers will look at Crabbe to open things up from the outside but also hope he’s able to effectively drive to the basket.
As a junior, Crabbe averaged 36.2 minutes, 18.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per outing. He shot 45.9 percent from the floor, 34.8 in 3-pointers and 81.3 in free throws. He has plenty of weak areas that will haunt the Blazers if he doesn’t mature in a hurry. Portland is focusing on young players, and Crabbe came at the right time. The Blazers are hoping he can take pressure off of Damian Lillard, the 2013 NBA Rookie of the Year, with his shooting potential.
Crabbe will be a major force for the Blazers if he develops a consistent shot. That’s what coach Terry Stotts and his staff have to be working on right now.
John Raffel is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JohnCarlRaffel, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
