Crowder has spoken about improving his ball handling skills
The Boston Celtics did a great job of improving their roster by adding Al Horford, but that is not the only way they will improve. One of the youngest rosters in the league has their key players continuing to look for better ways to impact the game, and Jae Crowder has spoken about expanding his offensive game.
On top of multiple comments about being healthy enough to be at his best, Crowder added that he is “Way more comfortable off the dribble, shooting the ball off the dribble, making a play off the dribble” (Via Jay King).
Crowder has already established himself as the premier defender on the Celtics. He is their most versatile defender and he leads the way in generating turnovers. They depend on him for their small ball lineups and he has never lets them down on that end.
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On offense, however, there have been some issues. Crowder was much improved as a shooter last year, but remained limited. Crowder saw his three point percentage jump up form 28.2 to 33.6, and his overall percentage went from 49.9 to 52.9. Those first numbers are from an incomplete season with the team, and once he got more comfortable he began to flourish.
Crowder completely changed the way he played offense for the Celtics and it payed off immediately. Crowder started taking all his shots form the outside, and saw a decline in his shot attempts everywhere in the mid range game. Crowder did a great job of taking advantage of open shots, and was always ready at the three point line.
If Crowder was not getting open from three he was driving to the rim and he saw his percentage in that area jump up to 70%. Crowder was one of the most reliable finishers on the team and he developed a knack for coming up in clutch situations.
Crowder did everything he needed to become a better off ball offensive player for the Celtics and he improved cross the board. Now, he wants to develop what he can do with the ball in his hands. Crowder did a great job of using Boston’s ball movement to get open shots, but now he wants to do more to create shots for himself.
Crowder is one of the more aggressive players on the Celtics, but he never got to assert himself on offense last season. Now he is looking to improve in the areas that will make him a better offensive instigator.
Isaiah Thomas has been the only player to really excel at creating offensive for the Celtics. Stevens and Thomas did a great job of playing in a way that got success despite their limited shooting. Crowder is now looking to take on more of that kind of responsibility.
Crowder has proven that he has the talent to excel on offense. He still has a lot of room to improve as a shooter, but he knows he can have an impact from three. He can also do a lot more damage in the paint. Crowder has the strength and the ability to finish to attack even more in the paint.
Crowder is looking to become a more complete player for the Celtics and Thomas is taking a similar approach. Two way versatility is what the Celtics want most and that is what Crowder is trying to give them.
Crowder has separated himself as one of the top players on the team and he has proven to be a key piece of their rebuild. They know they have a special talent in him and he still does not believe he is a finished product.
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The Celtics should be excited about Crowder and could be the difference maker they need on offense. Their defense was easily their strength last year and Crowder’s offensive development can be a key part of elevating their offense to where it needs to be.