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Is Jae Crowder the Most Improved Player This Season?

By Vasilis Nessis

Feb 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 121-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the net against Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Celtics defeated the Nuggets 121-101. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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14 months ago, the Boston Celtics acquired Jae Crowder from Dallas, as part of the Rajon Rondo trade. At that moment, nobody could have predicted his development and his impressive impact on his new team. He was always considered a good defensive player who could contribute in a game with his high energy and motor. During his first year in Boston, Jae Crowder was serving mostly as a role player coming off the bench. In 2014-15 he averaged 7.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and one steal in 20.1 minutes per game while shooting 29.3 per cent behind the arc.

This season, Crowder has his numbers boosted: in 32.2 minutes per game he has 14.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 steals along with almost 36 percent in 3-point shooting. He is the 3rd best scorer and rebounder for Boston, while leading the team in steals (alongside Marcus Smart). He is also 1st in Box Plus/Minus and in VORP (Value Over Replacement Player). Also, his offensive rating keeps getting better and better throughout the season.

Feb 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) celebrates against the Utah Jazz during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 29, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) celebrates against the Utah Jazz during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense has never been an issue for Jae Crowder. His size (6’6”) and his strong frame help him guard multiple positions and he does so with so much tenacity. However, his strongest weapons on both ends of the floor are his high motor and his willingness to make hustle plays (you will rarely see him give up on a play) and that he keeps doing all these things that do not show up on a stat sheet.

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Jae Crowder is the player who represents Celtics’ philosophy on the court better than anyone else. When he was asked if the team needs a true superstar so as to be considered a true contender he answered like this: “All five guys on the court are so locked in and so engaged that we’re one superstar. We all play together. That all 5 players are Celtics’ superstar.”

So what is Crowder’s ceiling? He is undoubtedly one of the best two-way players in the league. His contribution both on the offensive and the defensive end make him one of the most valuable role players a title contender may have. His game is much similar to Jimmy Butler’s who has transformed from a high energy guard to one of the best shooting guards in the NBA.

Crowder has the tools, the work ethic and the potential to take a similar route. Many compare him with Golden State’s Draymond Green because of their ability to guard many positions and to knock down threes when given the opportunity. In terms of importance, Jae is developing into a key guy for Boston. He is now an integral part of their rotation and although no one is untouchable it’s hard to consider letting him go on a trade in the near future.

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He is having a breakout season and there is no doubt that he should be seriously considered a legitimate candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. Apart from that, it’s up to him to keep on improving, to become even more important for Boston and to transform into a more complete player.

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