NBA Lottery 2013: How Cleveland Cavaliers Winning No. 1 Pick Impacts 1st Round
Next time I hit up the the poker room and blackjack tables in Vegas, remind me to stop off in Cleveland to rub Dan Gilbert’s son’s lucky little head.
The Cavaliers won the lottery for the second time in three years, though this year’s prize isn’t as appetizing as the one they got in 2011. In fact, nobody is even sure who that prize will be.
By getting the first pick, Cleveland sets the tone for the rest of the first round.
If Cleveland selects Nerlens Noel…
Nerlens Noel seems like the best bet to go No. 1 with Cleveland winning the lotto. The injury-prone Andrerson Varejao will be entering the final year of his deal before the team has an option, and Noel could replace him as that interior anchor and rim protector.
And no, Tristan Thompson, who averages less than a block a game, is not the Cavaliers’ center, so keep that argument in your pocket.
If Noel goes No. 1, Orlando controls the next few picks. They’ll have the choice of grabbing arguably the top prospect on the board in shooting guard Ben McLemore, or filling a need with point guard Trey Burke.
The Charlotte Bobcats picking at No. 4 will have their eyes on Orlando. Chances are Washington, whose backcourt seems set, won’t be in the market for McLemore. The Wizards are likely to have Otto Porter, Anthony Bennett and Victor Oladipo atop their draftboard.
If Orlando goes with Burke at No. 2, there’s a good chance McLemore could be available for Charlotte at No. 4. This would be a great get for the Bobcats after falling two spots from their lottery-projected draft slot.
Regardless, with Cleveland snagging Noel at No. 1, the Bobcats and the Suns (No. 5) should be able to guarantee themselves a shot at either McLemore, Bennett or Oladipo.
The New Orleans Pelicans’ pick will also depend heavily on what direction the Orlando Magic go in. If Orlando takes Trey Burke, the Pelicans are likely to think big with either center Alex Len or Cody Zeller. Chances are Oladipo and Porter will be gone by No. 6. Anthony Bennett could also be a fit if available, but Len or Zeller would fill a more immediate need.
If Orlando goes with McLemore, then Trey Burke will almost be guaranteed to be available at No. 6 to New Orleans. Washington, Charlotte and Phoenix all seem committed to the point guards on their roster.
Though Greivis Vasquez was a pleasant surprise for New Orleans this year, Burke is more of a floor general and leader at the position. Vasquez’s size could also allow him to play the 2 in a combo-guard role, a move that’s becoming more and more popular amongst NBA coaches.
Say that New Orleans chooses to stick with Vasquez at the point and go with an offensive center. That would leave Burke for Sacramento, who would probably throw an all-night celebratory rager if this ended up being the case. Burke would give the Kings a high-character individual who’s qualified to run a team.
Detroit will be hoping a guy like Otto Porter or Anthony Bennett somehow slips through the cracks, but if not, Shabazz Muhammad, Cody Zeller and C.J. McCollum could all be viable options.
If Cleveland selects Ben McLemore…
Though Cleveland drafted Dion Waiters in 2012, the Cavaliers aren’t in a position to pass on talent to fill a specific need. If they feel McLemore is the top prospect on the board, then that’s who they should go with.
That would leave Orlando in a pickle, who would have the choice of taking Burke to replace Jameer Nelson or Nerlens Noel as the top talent. You can’t argue either play here, as they seem like the only legitimate options given their roster and who’s available.
Once again, New Orleans will be paying close attention to Orlando to see if they scoop Trey Burke or let him slide down to them at No. 6.
If Orlando goes with Noel, the rest of the field would be in a similar situation as they would have been had Cleveland selected the Kentucky standout. If Orlando takes Burke, then Sharpie in Nerlens Noel to Washington at No. 3.
This would leave Charlotte with the choice of Otto Porter, Victor Oladipo and Anthony Bennett. Phoenix at No. 5 would surely be happy with any of these three. If not, they could always go big with Len or Zeller.
New Orleans would once again decide between Burke, a wing or a big, while Sacramento would cross their fingers and hope the Pelicans address their frontcourt.
If Cleveland selects Otto Porter…
Otto Porter is probably the best fit for Cleveland, though his upside doesn’t typically justify a first-overall selection.
Still, it’s a possibility Cleveland is reluctant to choose an injured player in Noel or a shooting guard in McLemore when they already have Arron Afflalo.
If Porter goes No. 1, it would have the same impact on the rest of the first round as it would if McLemore went No. 1.
Trade Chatter
Now that Cleveland has the first pick, everyone knows who to call when looking for a trade partner. The Cavaliers have cap room, plus another first-rounder they got from the L.A. Lakers.
Expect a team like Minnesota to be very active in trade talks. You can bet the Wolves have heavy interest in Ben McLemore, and with Derrick Williams and the No. 9 pick as a potential package, they’ll be looking to move up.
Don’t be surprised to see the Boston Celtics make a push for Nerlens Noel as well, who they interviewed at the NBA Combine despite not having a pick until No. 16.
Without a guaranteed stud in this draft, the Cavaliers could be inclined to drop a few spots and acquire some established talent in the process.
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Was Chris Paul allowed to fire Vinny Del Negro?
Vinny Del Negro led the Los Angeles Clippers to a strong season by anyone’s standards, let alone what the franchise has traditionally become accustomed to.
Still, it was all but a foregone conclusion that their coach Vinny Del Negro was a dead man walking by the end of the season.
The rumors of superstar players such as Blake Griffin and Chris Paul disliking Paul had grown to hot.
Please click here to read/watch this story.
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NBA Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat, Game 1
The Miami Heat are outscoring opponents by an average of 13.9 points through nine playoff games, which is important to consider when making your NBA picks Wednesday, as they take on the Indiana Pacers at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Sports bettors will find that the Heat are eight-point home favorites in the pro basketball odds (courtesy of SBR Forum), while the totals sits at 182.5 in the market.
Let’s take a closer look at Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction on the total along the way.
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Tony Allen Is the Best at Flopping, Which Also Makes Him the Absolute Worst
Tony Allen‘s portrayal of a man clobbered by Manu Ginobili was a breathtaking tour de force that had the audience riveted and in as many knots as the Memphis Grizzlies actor seemed to be.
A tip of the hat to Big Lead for spotting this video from Tuesday night’s slugfest between the Grizzlies and Spurs, one San Antonio would ultimately win in overtime, 93-89.
Not that Memphis star Tony Allen was beyond busting out every last trick in the book to keep the game within reach.
As you can see here, Allen gets hacked by Ginobili with a little over 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter. In real time, it looked like Allen hit his head on the court, which gave everyone in the arena and those watching from home quite the scare.
Thanks to instant replay, we now know Allen never touched the court with his head. It was a beautiful illusion that somehow caught the eye of every single person watching the video, save the NBA officials who reviewed the tape.
Big Lead, SportsGrid, Yahoo! Sports and so many others shouted in one big voice, “Flop.” We don’t only agree, we give Allen the standing ovation he deserves.
In all seriousness, I am just shocked that an act like this still warrants surprise from the peanut gallery. I wrote about that very thing with regard to LeBron James‘ propensity for basketball theatrics.
It’s a new game, and the hard-hitting action is many times just an illusion. Allen sold the foul and got himself some free throws, which then led to Mike Conley sending the game to OT.
I gave up being frustrated by these types of flops long ago. Now I just accept that the athletes have made this a part of their game, as useful as a step-back jumper and as second nature as dribbling.
Adding to the beauty is this happened to Ginobili, a man with quite the track record himself.
Hit me up on Twitter for more NBA shenanigans: Follow @gabezal
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Michael Jordan: Bobcats changing name to Hornets (Yahoo! Sports)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Jordan wants to ”bring the buzz back” to Charlotte.
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Kevin Durant Shows off Massive Back Tattoo After Its Completion
Kevin Durant is tatted up more than you realize.
When sporting an Oklahoma City Thunder jersey, or shirt of any kind, the number of tattoos Durant has doesn’t fully resonate with you. Depending on what you see him wearing, he doesn’t look like he has any.
But he does. And what he has is freaking enormous.
The Durantula posted a photo on his Instagram account showing off his completed back tattoo.
“All done…James 1:2-4…look it up,” the caption reads.
Once you get past the fact that Durant’s ink is the size of your living room, feel free to look it up, because, well, Durant wants you to.
He also wants you to admire this mural. Some serious work and detail clearly went into this monstrosity. And it looks far more complete than the free-for-all he has going on around his chest and stomach.
If you haven’t seen what Durant looks like on the other side, I encourage you to take a gander.
There’s nothing really hideous about this one, it’s just so damn busy. It’s like artistic chaos.
Myself, I prefer the one on his back. It may be a tad oversized for some, but it flows nicely and every aspect of it complements another. It doesn’t hurt that the Angel appears to be holding a basketball (even though that’s not what it is).
Now, to answer your question: Yes, this had to hurt. Durant is skinny. Down-to-the-bone slender. He felt this one being applied. And it wasn’t pleasant. It’s times like these when a little extra cushion goes a long way. Just ask Eddy Curry.
Putting on some extra dough is the least of Durant’s worries now, though. His back, chest and stomach are completely covered. Either this tattoo was his swan song—which is unlikely because they’re addicting as hell—or he’s going to have to (gasp) put them where we can all see them.
Short of putting them on his derrière, he’s going to have to move onto the legs or arms. Or he always has the option of doing what is known as the DeShawn Stevenson, J.R. Smith and Chris Andersen—tattooing his neck.
Couldn’t you just picture Durant covered head-to-toe in ink like some of his peers?
Yeah, me neither. And I doubt it will get that far. He doesn’t appear to be as cavalier when it comes to branding himself as the rest.
Figure on him just getting an “I heart Russell Westbrook” design stamped on his forehead before retiring from the tattoo game.
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Did the Cavs win LeBron in the NBA Draft Lottery — again?
You’re entirely allowed to dream big, Cavs fans.
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NBA Draft 2013: Latest Big Board and Top 30 Projections for Week of May 22
With the NBA scouting combine complete and the post-lottery draft order set, it’s now crunch time for the many prospects hoping to get selected in next month’s event.
Some of these young men improved their stock after being measured and undergoing athletic testing in Chicago last week, while others are slipping down the big board and need to dominate at private workouts in order to get back into the rankings.
Let’s take a look at how our latest top-30 list of draft-eligible talent looks, provide some analysis for these potential picks and highlight a few potential landing spots for each.
Last week’s big board can be found here. Please note this is not a mock draft, but an overall ranking based on grade. Grade for each prospect is based on athletic testing, production in college (or overseas), measurements and NBA projections on a curve.
No. 1: Nerlens Noel, PF/C, Kentucky (Remains No. 1)
Noel is still the top pick in this class, but he hurt his stock a bit by only tipping the scales at a paltry 206 pounds last week.
While some of that skinniness can be attributed to his injury, the simple fact remains that this young man must bulk up before he’s ready to play the 4, let alone the 5 at the NBA level.
Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to exercise extreme caution and do their homework before selecting this high-upside prospect.
Grade: A+
No. 2: Ben McLemore, SG, Kansas (Remains No. 2)
McLemore’s stock remained steady at the combine, as he athletically tested and measured up to expectations.
The biggest knocks on his game—the inconsistent shooting and tendency to disappear for prolonged stretches—aren’t issues that tend to show up at an event like that. He shouldn’t come off the board later than No. 4 to the Charlotte Bobcats.
Grade: A+
No. 3: Victor Oladipo, SG, Indiana (Up from from No. 6)
Oladipo proved that he’s a top-notch athlete and perfectly sized to play the 2 at the next level.
Most teams picking early in the lottery need a prospect that can impact the game without the ball in his hands, defend in an inspiring manner and hustle up and down the court with infectious energy.
This Hoosiers star certainly hits all those notes and may be one of the most important players in this class when all is said and done. The Cavs may consider Oladipo at No. 1, but he’ll likely head to Charlotte at No. 4 or Phoenix at No. 5.
Grade: A
No. 4: Otto Porter, SF, Georgetown (Down from No. 3)
Porter projects to be an ideal swingman for a franchise that already has other players shouldering the scoring load.
Due to his non-stop motor, penchant to bang for boards, defensive tendencies and ability to knock down open looks, he’d be a perfect fit with the Wizards at No. 3.
Grade: A
No. 5: Trey Burke, PG, Michigan (Remains No. 5)
Burke is the top point guard in the class, as he brings a ton of different assets to the table.
The Michigan man is a proven winner (as evident by his Wolverines’ run to the national title game), a capable scorer and great facilitator. Those intangibles and pure point skills are exactly what the Orlando Magic need at No. 2.
Grade: A
No. 6: Anthony Bennett, PF, UNLV (Down from No. 4)
Bennett is a bit of a tweener, but his ability to play either the 3 or 4 could be beneficial for him in this draft.
Teams that aren’t afraid to gamble on an undersized PF will get a strong player with great range on his jumper, and the UNLV just needs to continue to work on his quickness to guard other SFs.
He could work with a number of lottery teams, including the Wizards at No. 3 and Detroit Pistons at No. 8.
Grade: A
No. 7: C.J. McCollum, SG, Lehigh (Remains No. 7)
McCollum looked perfectly healthy at the combine, which is relieving since a foot injury cut his senior campaign short.
The sniper may be a bit undersized for a 2, but there’s hope he can handle the ball and make enough plays to run the point at the next level. It’ll be interesting to see where he goes, but the Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 9 seem to be the best option.
Grade: A-
No. 8: Cody Zeller, C, Indiana (Up from No. 15)
Zeller dominated in Chicago, proving to his doubters that he is a top-notch athlete with prototypical size for an NBA big man.
With that performance, he’s firmly back in the lottery and could come off the board as early as No. 6 when the New Orleans Pelicans pick, but seems to be a better selection for the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 11.
Grade: A-
No. 9: Michael Carter-Williams, G, Syracuse (Down from No. 8)
Carter-Williams has some issues to iron out, including poor handles and inability to shoot consistently, but has the best passing skills in this class and utilizes his 6’6” frame to lock down his man.
With plenty of organizations looking for a set-up man to help their stars get open looks, MCWshould be a popular name on the short lists. Don’t sleep on the Sacramento Kings nabbing him at No. 7, while there should be no chance he slips past the Utah Jazz at No. 14.
Grade: A-
No. 10: Dario Saric, SF, Croatia (Up from No. 13)
Saric is the top international prospect in this year’s draft class, although he may be a few years from being NBA ready.
Regardless, a general manager looking to take a gamble on a potential star would be foolish to pass up this Croatian in the late lottery. He possesses a high IQ and is one of the better passingswingman we’ve seen in a while.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks, picking No. 12 and 13—respectively, are both options for this 19-year-old project.
Grade: B+
No. 11: Shabazz Muhammad, SF, UCLA (Down from No. 9)
Any franchise looking for a scorer should look no further than Muhammad. While his upside is a bit limited and he doesn’t seem to be much more than a point producer, his ability to generate buckets is valuable skill in the Association.
The UCLA star is a bit of a wildcard this year, as he could land in the top-three—likely with Washington—or outside of the lottery, but he shouldn’t fall past the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 15.
Grade: B+
No. 12: Alex Len, C, Maryland (Remains No. 12)
Len hasn’t participated in any pre-draft workouts and will not be able to due to ankle surgery. Ithasn’t impacted his stock much, considering most scouts already had a good enough look at this offensive-minded big man.
Even with the injury, the Wizards may take a look at No. 3, the Pelicans should highly consider him at No. 6 and the Maryland star’s floor is the Thunder at No. 12.
Grade: B+
No. 13: Gorgui Dieng, C, Louisville (Down from No. 11)
Dieng is a bit older at age 23 and doesn’t have the upside some of these other big men do, but he’ll be ready to contribute on Day 1.
His offensive game clearly needs some polish, but the Cardinals pivot can block shots, protect the rim, defend his position and even pass at a high level out of the post.
The lottery may be a bit of stretch for this national title-winner, but he’s an option for the Thunder at No. 12, Boston Celtics at No. 16 and Chicago Bulls at No. 20.
Grade: B
No. 14: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG, Georgia (Remains No.14)
The “three-and-D” off-guard is a dying breed in the modern NBA, which is why there should be a handful of suitors clamoring for a chance to nab KCP come June.
This Georgia star can create his own shot, fire away from anywhere on the court and possesses the athleticism to shut down his man on defense.
He could go as early as No. 10 to the Portland Trail Blazers, although it’s a bit more likely the Atlanta Hawks grab him at No. 16 or 17. Chicago will not let him past No. 20, as he’s an ideal fit in the backcourt with Derrick Rose.
Grade: B
No. 15: Steve Adams, C, Pittsburgh (Up from No. 29)
Adams did himself a huge favor by showing up at the combine and proving to scouts that he’s not a clumsy, foreign seven-footer that has bust written on his forehead.
He was dominating the competition in athletic tests, measured out above expectations, interviewed well and now looks to be a firm lottery pick.
The Pitt star looks to be a strong option for Portland at No. 10, Philly at 11, OKC at 12 and Dallas at 13.
Grade: B-
No. 16: Kelly Olynyk, C, Gonzaga (Down from No. 10)
Olynyk showed some pretty unimpressive athleticism and short arms at the combine, but no one was drafting him based on his ability to jump out of the gym or touch his toes standing up.
The ‘Zags star can simply score the basketball and uses an impressive array of face-up and low-post moves to get his buckets. Don’t be surprised if the Hawks use one of their picks on him, the Brooklyn Nets take a stab at No. 22 or the Indiana Pacers grab him at No. 23.
Grade: B-
No. 17: Mason Plumlee, PF, Duke (Remains No. 17)
Plumlee isn’t going to be a star in the NBA, but he’s a solid garbage man that will clean up the glass, work hard on defense and gain extra possessions for his team.
He’s looking like a perfect member of the Hawks, although the Celtics at No. 16 and Nets at No. 22 should be interested.
Grade: B-
No. 18: Allen Crabbe, SG, California (Up from No. 22)
Crabbe is a bona fide sniper that can shoot the lights out.
He has the size to get his jumper off over anyone and should be a decent defender when he’s motivated. Don’t be shocked if the Bucks nab him at No. 15, although his long-range gunning will be coveted by numerous organizations.
Grade: C+
No. 19: Dennis Schroeder, PG, Germany (Up from No. 20)
Schroeder put himself on the map at the Nike Hoops Summit a few weeks ago and has held steady as a possible mid-to-late first-rounder.
The German can get into the lane with ease and is a skilled finisher around the hoop, although he’s more than capable of passing it to the open man for an easy shot.
Boston will be interested at No. 16, Chicago is a good spot at No. 20 and the New York Knicks cannot let him past No. 24.
Grade: C+
No. 20: Jeff Withey, C, Kansas (Down from No. 16)
Withey is another older player that doesn’t have a high ceiling, but should be a regular contributor in the Association.
He’s capable of defending his position, protecting the rim and sending back shots that go up anywhere near him. That’s the type of player the Nets (No. 22) need behind Brook Lopez, although he could come off the board earlier.
Grade: C+
No. 21: Jamaal Franklin, SG, San Diego State (Up from No. 26)
Franklin is a freakish athlete that is one of the best rebounding guard prospects we’ve ever seen.
The guy jumps out of the gym and is a jumper away from being a fixture on the team that drafts him, which may be the Hawks (No. 17 and 18), Bulls (20), Los Angeles Clippers (25) or Denver Nuggets (27).
Grade: C
No. 22: Sergey Karasev, SG, Russia (Down from No. 18)
This Russian sniper is arguably one of the top long-range shooters in the 2013 class, which makes him an instant asset coming off a bench.
He’d fit in perfectly with the Timberwolves at No. 26, as the team boasts two other players from his home country—Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved.
Grade: C
No. 23: Shane Larkin, PG, Miami (Unranked last week)
Larkin blew up at the combine, proving to onlookers that he’s a freakish athlete that deserves to be picked in the first round of the draft.
If the Jazz hasn’t addressed their PG situation by the time they pick for a second time (No. 21), the Miami star should be the slam-dunk selection. The Clips and Knicks are both options if he sneaks past Utah.
Grade: C
No. 24: Glen Rice Jr., SG, D-League (Down from No. 19)
Rice’s stock dipped at the combine, as he didn’t seem to be the same lights-out shooter he was during his D-League championship run with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
That definitely hurts his projections as a possible swingman that could play the 2 as well as the 3, but he may mesh with the Cavs at No. 19, San Antonio Spurs at No. 28 or Suns at No. 30.
Grade: C
No. 25: Tim Hardaway Jr., SG, Michigan (Down from No. 21)
Hardaway Jr. is someone that could throw up a shot from anywhere in the arena and have a good chance of making it. He proved that in Chicago and showed a fire to boot, wowing talent evaluators with his interviews and hustle in every single event.
It wouldn’t be that much of a stretch if the Knicks make a move for him to replace J.R. Smith, although the Pacers, T-Wolves and Nuggets are all great landing destinations as well.
Grade: C
No. 26: Giannis Adetokunbo, SF, Greece (Down from No. 23)
Not much is known about this international man of mystery, but he could be an elite point forward with his crazy long arms and immense athleticism. He could also be a bust that never makes it to American shores to play in an NBA game.
A team with nothing to lose—such as the OKC Thunder at No. 29—will likely make a play on this young man and let him develop overseas until he’s ready.
Grade: C
No. 27: Tony Mitchell, SF, North Texas (Remains No. 27)
Mitchell is an athletic beast that can guard either forward position and bang for rebounds with the best of them.
He has to work on his scoring touch, but the upside is certainly still there. As holders of the last pick in the first round, the Suns are an ideal candidate to snag this underrated prospect.
Grade: C-
No. 28: Tony Snell, SF, New Mexico (Unranked last week)
Snell’s performance at the combine turned a lot of heads, meaning he could sneak into the first round come June 27.
The New Mexico star has one of the sweetest strokes and grades out as one of the top athletes in this crop of talent. Denver (27), San Antonio (28) and Phoenix (30) should all take a close look at this young man.
Grade: D+
No. 29: Lucas Nogueira, C, Brazil (Down from No. 25)
Noguiera is inconsistent as they come, but his upside is undeniable.
The big man excels down in the post and uses his superior size to grab boards and score points. He has some polishing to do on both ends of the court, but may go as early as No. 19 to Cleveland.
Grade: D+
No. 30: Rudy Gobert, PF, France (Remains No. 30)
At the combine, Gobert showed that his athleticism is subpar and only thing going for him is height and reach at this juncture.
While some teams may try to mold his big body into something resembling a serviceable PF or C, it’s unlikely to happen and this Frenchman seems like a major bust. However, he could still go as early as No. 12 to OKC, is an option at No. 19 with Cleveland and any franchise after that needing a big will give him a look.
Grade: D
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New York Knicks JR Smith Has A Drug Addiction
We saw a crumble in the performance of New York Knicks “6th man” JR Smith during the 2013 NBA postseason. According to sources, who spoke with The Juicy Online, we may now understand why his performance tanked during the playoffs, as it’s being said that Smith developed a drug habit. Although an report, in early May, showed Smith partying hard in a New York nightclub with singer/girlfriend Rihanna during the playoffs, two sources are coming forward claiming that Smith is also using coke, claiming that Smith is hooked to the stuff.”My source is the connect for his coke dealer uptown and JR is cooping $1,200 worth of blow every two, three days when in town. Personal use… Dude was sick from it,” the source claims.The NBA, during the regular season, gives four drug test to its players. Most NBA players are giving the heads up when a drug test is coming their way. If JR is indeed hooked on coke, then the reality is that the coke would be present in his system fo…
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2013 NBA Draft Breakdown and Scouting Report for Cal’s Allen Crabbe
Allen Crabbe took a big leap forward his junior year at California, putting himself on first-round radars with his 18.4-point per game average.
He was one of the top shooters at this year’s NBA combine, and if scouts were unfamiliar with him before it, chances are that’s no longer the case. Crabbe is a late-rising prospect after putting up impressive numbers both during measurements and athletic testing.
The buzz is getting louder, as Crabbe is no longer considered a potential draft-day sleeper.
Physical Tools
Crabbe has excellent size for the position he plays. You can call him a 2-guard or a small forward, but to simplify things, I just refer to him as a wing.
He measured in at 6’6” with a 6’11” wingspan, both appealing numbers. He got off the ground for a 36” max vertical leap, surprising some with his athleticism.
Crabbe isn’t the most explosive athlete, and isn’t necessarily a high-flying easy-bucket type of guy, but for the position and role he’s projected to play, his physical tools work just fine.
Adding strength of course will improve his efficiency as a scorer around the rim, but that’s realistically the case with every kid out of college.
Off-Ball Scoring
Despite Crabbe’s ability to score in volume, he’s not much of a ball-dominator. Instead of creating shots for himself off the dribble, Crabbe uses off-ball movement to free himself up for scoring opportunities. He reminds me of a young Rip Hamilton, with his ability to come off screens, catch and shoot or slash toward the rim.
Crabbe’s ability to score without dominating the ball should allow him to slide into a lineup and complement whatever is in place.
Slashing
Crabbe isn’t quick enough to beat his defender off the dribble, so he chooses to beat him without the ball and use that momentum once he catches it.
Below is a perfect example of how Crabbe use screens to free himself up, keeping his defender on his back hip and one step behind.
Once he catches, he only needs two dribbles to get to the rim and finish. He wouldn’t have been able to beat his man with the ball in his hands, but through off-ball movement, he’s able to lose him before he catches the rock.
Spot-up Shooting
Crabbe is an excellent spot-up shooter with NBA range. He’s made 209 threes in three years at California with a career mark of 38.2 percent. He’s sports excellent rhythm in catch-and-shoot opportunities with a clean, high release that’s tough to contest.
Defenders won’t be able to play an inch off him at the next level. Coaches will use Crabbe to spread the floor and provide his playmakers with a target around the perimeter.
Shooting Off Curls
Going back to off-ball movement, Crabbe is really effective in the mid-range coming off curls and catching and shooting. He’s able to catch, gather and square before rising and firing with balance.
Coaches will love his ability to score with the game slowed down, and in a way that doesn’t keep the ball from sticking.
Weaknesses
Without the ability to create, Crabbe’s ceiling is somewhat limited at the next level. He can finish plays as a shooter and cutter, but playmaking off the dribble is not really his forte.
Crabbe will need to improve his isolation game if he wants to take that next step as a scorer.
Finishing at the rim could also be a challenge, though most of his work is likely to come from eight feet away and out.
Crabbe has also been criticized for his defense. Some wonder whether he has the strength and motor. Depending on the coach, this could keep him Crabbe from getting consistent minutes. Proving he can D up should be a point of emphasis for Crabbe during workouts and training camp.
Draft Breakdown and NBA Outlook
Crabbe is an excellent off-ball scorer, which is exactly what his role will be at the next level. Coaches will appreciate his shot-making skills and ability to move without the ball.
Many volume scorers in college struggle to make the NBA transition because they aren’t used to playing without the ball in their hands. This is where Crabbe differs, as he doesn’t need it in his hands in order to be effective.
After his strong showing at the combine, Crabbe is moving up boards as a potential mid-first round pick. He’ll be competing with other guards and wings like UCLA’s Shabazz Muhammad, Michigan’s Tim Hardaway Jr., Georgia’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, New Mexico’s Tony Snell, San Diego State’s Jamaal Franklin and North Carolina’s Reggie Bullock.
Crabbe will have plenty of competition, but he’ll try and convince teams that his shooting stroke and off-ball scoring instincts are all top-notch, and that he’s capable of becoming a dedicated NBA defender.
Anywhere from outside the lottery should be a possible landing spot for Crabbe.
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