Crowder, Boston's Defensive Spark, is Here to Stay

Crowder, Boston's Defensive Spark, is Here to Stay

Posted: Jul 27, 2015



By Taylor C. Snow | @Celtics
Celtics.com
July 27, 2015







It didn’t take long for the Boston Celtics to fall in love with Jae Crowder.

When he arrived partway through the 2014-15 season from the Dallas Mavericks as part of the Rajon Rondo trade, expectations weren’t through the roof for the then-24-year-old small forward, who had yet to find his identity as an NBA player.

It took him very little time to find that identity once he donned a green and white jersey.

Crowder provided an immediate emotional spark off the bench for the C’s when needed. He displayed consistent tenacious defense and supplied an unlimited amount of energy on a nightly basis.

The organization today rewarded Crowder for his efforts with a multi-year contract.

Crowder, who turned 25 on July 6, progressed immensely during his first five months in a Celtics uniform.

When he was acquired from the Mavs in the middle of last December, he at first appeared to be the tertiary piece of the blockbuster trade, which also landed Brandan Wright and Jameer Nelson in Boston.

There was a lot of hype surrounding the addition of Wright, a lanky big man who at the time of the trade was leading the league with an astronomical .748 shooting percentage.

Nelson was an established veteran point guard who could be a role model for their young ball handlers, such as Marcus Smart and Phil Pressey.

But at that point, Bostonians didn’t know much about the third new Celtic, the man with the rope-thick, dreadlocked ponytail who had averaged a measly 3.6 points and 10.6 minutes per game during 25 appearances with the Mavs early last season.

However, “Crowdah” quickly became a fan favorite here at the Garden.

One month after the trade, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound forward was the lone holdover still standing in Boston, as Wright was dealt to Phoenix on Jan. 9, and Nelson was traded to Denver four days later.

Crowder rapidly became one of the top contributors off the bench and was rewarded with plentiful playing time. He averaged 9.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 24.2 minutes per contest during his 57 appearances for the Celtics, who had been in need of an impact player at the small forward position prior to his acquisition.

Crowder was a positive, tenacious influence on the defensive end of the floor for the Celtics. He was rarely caught out of position and proved he could guard any type of player, ranging from point guards on the perimeter, to power forwards and centers in the paint. Come playoff time, he was Boston’s most reliable one-on-one defender of LeBron James when the C’s played Cleveland in the first round.

He also provided an offensive boost at times, nailing numerous clutch shots, including this game-winning, fadeaway corner jumper against Toronto on April 14.




Above all, Crowder’s versatility is what has allowed him thrive in Boston and is why he fits perfectly within Brad Stevens’ system.

Another plus is his positive relationship with Boston’s young head coach, whom he visibly admires.

Stevens has received verbal praise from many of his players during his first couple of years in Boston; Crowder does more than speak of his appreciation for Stevens – he shows it on the court as well.

For example, take a look at his reaction following Tyler Zeller’s game-winning layup against the Utah Jazz on March 4.

When Zeller’s buzzer-beater dropped, Crowder didn’t join his teammates in pummeling the game’s hero under the basket. Instead, he took off straight from the 3-point arc to celebrate with the mastermind behind the play, draping his arms around Stevens’ shoulders while the coach made his post-game rounds on the court.



He appreciates the wisdom of the man that draws up such plays, and he’s willing to put forth his best effort in order to satisfy Stevens and the rest of the organization on any given night.

That effort has been noted by his teammates, such as Marcus Smart, who expressed excitement when Crower and the C’s reached agreement in early July.

“Jae is one of the top competitors in this league, for sure,” Smart said following a summer league practice session in Waltham, Mass. “The way he approaches every game and practices, he comes out and he’s ready to play every day. You’ve got to respect a guy like that.”

Crowder certainly didn’t hide his excitement, either. On July 2, when he decided that he would be returning to Boston, he tweeted “#BEANTOWN WE HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS…”

Part of that unfinished business will be to help lead Boston deeper into the playoffs next season; the other part will be to further improve his game, such as his long range shooting ability.

But at just 25 years young, hanging onto a multi-year deal that will extend through most of his prime basketball-playing years, Crowder has plenty of time to make improvements and continue to leave his mark on the parquet floor.


bob
MY NOTE: Just 25 years old, and he's going to get better under Brad.

.

I didn't see Crowder embrace Brad in that clip, but I don't doubt that he did. In addition his arsenal of weapons (which may be greater in number than that of any other Celtic), Jae exudes basketball wisdom befitting a player 8-10 years older.

I'm wondering who the next captain of the Celtics will be:

• Perhaps a slimmed-down Sully would get the nod if he displays the tools to average 18/9 or better consistently.

• Kelly's shooting and passing ability might gain him an opportunity.

• Avery's tenure with the team might give him a shot at the captaincy.

• Smart might be heir to the position just because management seems determined to push him into a position of prominence on the team.

• Isaiah Thomas could be considered because he has pretty much become the go-to guy on the team.

However, I would submit that no one on the team combines the combination of (1) being a consistent impact catalyst, "feel" for the game, poise under pressure, and leadership tendencies (on and off the floor) that Jae Crowder does.

Sam