That's a really odd comparison, given that Crabbe plays EXACTLY the same role in POR that Barton plays in DEN - 6th man that plays 28 MPG off the bench. It's not like DEN made Barton a starter and played him 36 MPG.
The difference is that Barton seized the opportunity and made the most of it, whereas Crabbe got paid and put in zero effort to improve his weaknesses. There were tons of articles out early last year about how much hard work Barton put in on improving his shot and how all that hard word paid off. Barton has always been able to create his own shot, Crabbe cannot. Barton has always been a great rebounder and very good passer. Crabbe is not. Barton has always been a great finisher. Crabbe can only finish if there is no defender between him and the rim.
Here's just one of the articles about Barton's improvement:
Will Barton’s Rise More Than Circumstance
"This isn’t just a case of Barton getting significant run and finally being able to show his skills. He’s also developed as a prospect and has come a long way since being drafted 40th overall in 2012."
"The biggest skill Barton has unlocked in his time in Denver is his outside shooting. A 19.8 percent three-point shooter during his Portland tenure, he has taken an immediate leap to 35."
"While part of his success can be attributed to the higher level of comfort he has shooting with NBA defenders running at him, he’s made significant strides in his shooting motion to help improve his accuracy. He’s shooting with a higher release point and more arc on the shot to give himself a better chance of converting."
"While his production level has benefited from the spike in minutes, Barton deserves get credit for the improvements to his game."
And, another one:
Nuggets Year in Review: Will Barton
"53.5%
That was Barton's true shooting percentage this season, by far the best of his career. It's representative of the improvement Will has made in his game over this season and the increased impact he had on the Nuggets offense. Additionally, he took far far more shots this season than he has in any season prior which makes his increase in shooting efficiency even more impressive.
Before the season started it was no secret that Will was one of the guys who was putting in big time hours down at the team's facility. At media day he noted how hard he had worked on his shot in the offseason and he didn't disappoint."
Barton last year in DEN averaged 14.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.5 bpg with a PER = 16.0 as a 6th man playing 28.7 MPG
This year, in POR, as a 6th man playing 27.8 mpg, Allen Crabbe is averaging 8.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.3 bpg with a PER = 9.1
Crabbe has been given the exact same opportunity in POR that Barton was given in DEN. Barton worked hard to improve the weaknesses in his game (outside shooting and decision making). Due to his hard work, he's a much better, more complete player now than when he came into the league.
Allen Crabbe is the exact same player he was when he was drafted. He's a stand still shooter who does nothing else well. He's the weakest rebounder on a weak rebounding team, a poor passer and still can't create his own shot to save his life. Where all are the articles about all the hard work Crabbe put in over the summer and how he's greatly improved his weaknesses?
And Barton makes $15 million less per year than Crabbe. All your comparison did was make me wish we'd thrown $18.5 million/year at Barton instead of Crabbe. At least then, we'd have a decent 6th man to show for it.
BNM
