The secret behind Pat Connaughton's early-season success

[Scalma]

I thought Pat played pretty good defense in game 1. The other two, not so much. Small sample, yeah yeah yeah.

He's 12th on the team in DRtg (only Zach is worse), and 11th in DPBM (but it's positive so there's that).

Connaughtons defense has never impressed me, even when some of the numbers suggested otherwise. It's a concern moving forward because unlike someone like Crabbe, there really isn't much of a ceiling in that department. He's not going to all of a sudden move better laterally. It's a concern offensively too in regards to moving off the ball. So far most of his shots have been catch and shoot situations.

I don't want to shit on him too much though, he's done more than I ever expected, but the limitations are still evident.

 

[theprunetang]

Connaughtons defense has never impressed me, even when some of the numbers suggested otherwise. It's a concern moving forward because unlike someone like Crabbe, there really isn't much of a ceiling in that department. He's not going to all of a sudden move better laterally. It's a concern offensively too in regards to moving off the ball. So far most of his shots have been catch and shoot situations.

I don't want to shit on him too much though, he's done more than I ever expected, but the limitations are still evident.

Well, you can't have 5 LeBron's starting and 5 Greek Freaks coming in off of the bench. Most bench players have some kind of weakness.

 

[dviss1]

Connaughtons defense has never impressed me, even when some of the numbers suggested otherwise. It's a concern moving forward because unlike someone like Crabbe, there really isn't much of a ceiling in that department. He's not going to all of a sudden move better laterally. It's a concern offensively too in regards to moving off the ball. So far most of his shots have been catch and shoot situations.

I don't want to shit on him too much though, he's done more than I ever expected, but the limitations are still evident.

He's better than Crabbe. At everything. Including Defense. Crabbe's measurements don't help him on D at all. It's still nonexistent.

 

[theprunetang]

He's better than Crabbe. At everything. Including Defense. Crabbe's measurements don't help him on D at all. It's still nonexistent.

This.

 

[Stevenson]

But isn't that just like life? As Malcolm Gladwell says, you have to put 10,0000 hours into something before you can become great at it. (Insert your snide, dirty joke here!)

 

[Denny Crane]

He's better than Crabbe. At everything. Including Defense. Crabbe's measurements don't help him on D at all. It's still nonexistent.

Crabbe is averaging 13.7 PPG on .500 shooting from 3pt, and that’s on ~5 attempts. 5 rebounds/game, too. In 25 minutes per. He had one really good game, like Pat.

He’s 5th on his team in DRtg, and 5th in DBPM (a positive number).

His team is 2-1. Brooklyn is 2-1.

 

[Scalma]

He's better than Crabbe. At everything. Including Defense. Crabbe's measurements don't help him on D at all. It's still nonexistent.

Whatever you say

 

[Denny Crane]

Crabbe off the bench tonight. Not a very good game. 2-10, 6 points, in 25:30.

 

[dviss1]

Crabbe is averaging 13.7 PPG on .500 shooting from 3pt, and that’s on ~5 attempts. 5 rebounds/game, too. In 25 minutes per. He had one really good game, like Pat.

He’s 5th on his team in DRtg, and 5th in DBPM (a positive number).

His team is 2-1. Brooklyn is 2-1.

Sigh... Please stop looking at numbers. Just last night Pat drove the lane and finished off a curl. Crabbe STILL can't do that.

 

[dviss1]

Whatever you say

Can Crabbe create his own shot? Pat can. Can Crabbe drive the lane and score? Pat can.

Can Crabbe's deficient ass even bring the ball up to start the play? Pat can...

 

[tester551]

Can Crabbe create his own shot? Pat can. Can Crabbe drive the lane and score? Pat can.

Can Crabbe's deficient ass even bring the ball up to start the play? Pat can...

Exactly.
It's still very early, but Pat has been just as good, if not better than Crabbe so far this year:

 

[dviss1]

Exactly.
It's still very early, but Pat has been just as good, if not better than Crabbe so far this year:
View attachment 16717

Those are great numbers. But numbers aside, Pat simply has more ability. He can attack and finish much better than Crabbe. And he gets the most out of his ability on D.

 

[handiman]

For some reason, Pat reminds me of James Posey. I see him being a solid, reliable backup for years, then turning into a key rotation player for a championship team. I hope that team is us.

I wonder who counts them?

I'm hoping they have one of those automated systems you see from time to time. But, I guess if you're making millions, you can pay someone to hold a clicker for hours on end, day after day.

Like the dude's attitude. He is like the "Rudy" of the NBA.

I'd be totally on board with that nickname!

 

[Scalma]

Meh. As his shot comes back down to earth, the other parts of his game are going to get noticed a lot more, and not in a good way.

 

[Trackjack]

One thing about Pat when he gets in there he work his ass off. Does he have liability sure he does we he ever be great no that will not happen. The key is does he hurt team when it out there so far no.

 

[BBert]

Those are great numbers. But numbers aside, Pat simply has more ability. He can attack and finish much better than Crabbe. And he gets the most out of his ability on D.

I agree with all your takes on Pat v. Crabbe. I would add IMO while Crabbe probably has more natural defensive ability, Patty is out there 100 percent mentally focused and giving 100 percent effort on D all the time; Crabbe, not so much. Patty isn't great on D, but I've seen him make some damn good defensive plays this season based on hustle, determination and court smarts.

 

[Scalma]

One thing about Pat when he gets in there he work his ass off. Does he have liability sure he does we he ever be great no that will not happen. The key is does he hurt team when it out there so far no.

I'd expect more from a rotation player on a playoff team, but maybe I'm just crazy.

 

[Scalma]

Lol.

 

[jlprk]

Every time he has the ball under the basket...he passes back outside. Bad coaching, but he should ignore Stotts and make himself look good in this contract year.

 

[Scalma]

Every time he has the ball under the basket...he passes back outside. Bad coaching, but he should ignore Stotts and make himself look good in this contract year.

At least he knows his limitations. I’ll give him that. He knows he’d get his shit packed.

 

[jlprk]

At least he knows his limitations. I’ll give him that. He knows he’d get his shit packed.

Under the basket, he should put it up and either get fouled, or get blocked. His wimpy knee-jerk reaction to pass out screams, "I can't stand on my own two feet, I'm just here to help others, I'm afraid to shoot guarded layups, I shouldn't get Crabbe's minutes, and I want to chirp like an Oriole soon."

 

[joeBlazers]

Pat would be a 15ppg scorer for D'Antoni in Houston

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Under the basket, he should put it up and either get fouled, or get blocked.

Getting fouled and getting the whistle are two VERY different things.