Trail Blazers' playoff lineup could feature surprise starter: Allen Crabbe

[SlyPokerDog]

When the Trail Blazers open Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, there could be an unexpected face in the starting lineup.

Assuming Arron Afflalo's injured right shoulder is not healed, it seems most likely that coach Terry Stotts will feature second-year guard Allen Crabbe, not CJ McCollum, at shooting guard to open the game.

"I think Allen complements Damian (Lillard) and (LaMarcus Aldridge)," Stotts said, "as far as being defensive minded, not needing shots, not needing the ball."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...eup_could_feature_surpris.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

[jlprk]

I started him off right. A 6-7 defensive genius, the next Stacey Augmon.

 

[jlprk]

Homer helped me. I share credit like the magnanimous victor I am.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

When the Trail Blazers open Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, there could be an unexpected face in the starting lineup.

Assuming Arron Afflalo's injured right shoulder is not healed, it seems most likely that coach Terry Stotts will feature second-year guard Allen Crabbe, not CJ McCollum, at shooting guard to open the game.

"I think Allen complements Damian (Lillard) and (LaMarcus Aldridge)," Stotts said, "as far as being defensive minded, not needing shots, not needing the ball."

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...eup_could_feature_surpris.html#incart_m-rpt-1

Let's hope Arron is ready.

 

[MARIS61]

Anyway you roll the dice, SG is our weakest link.

There is a gaping void where Wes Matthews once was.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Anyway you roll the dice, SG is our weakest link.

There is a gaping void where Wes Matthews once was.

That void is filled with the gaping void where Arron Afflalo once was...

 

[KeepOnRollin]

CJ is better suited as our Microwave off the bench at this point anyways.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

CJ is better suited as our Microwave off the bench at this point anyways.

Totally agreed.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Homer helped me. I share credit like the magnanimous victor I am.

Oh, I knew all along that our genius would eventually be seen, like a great Crabbe rising from the depths to snatch victory from the ex-Canadians.

 

[jlprk]

If Crabbe greatly improves his shooting and ball handling by the time the playoffs begin, the world will be his oyster!

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

If Crabbe greatly improves his shooting and ball handling by the time the playoffs begin, the world will be his oyster!

Well, he shot poorly last game, turned the ball over, didn't really play D that well, and generally looked lost, but his feel for the game was incredible! He's just pacing himself for the playoffs.

 

[Pinwheel1]

in the 3 Memphis games Wes played in, he shot extremely well in the first two, and was 0-7 in the third. Regardless we lost all three games. And of of course we lost the 4th one as well when he didn't play. I still think his loss would have been felt more if we were playing Houston. Against Memphis, it is still a big loss, but maybe one of the areas that CJ is better than Wes will come in handy. He is a better ball handler than Wes and that might help against the Memphis D

Not a prediction, just a hope.......

 

[jlprk]

Oh, I knew all along that our genius would eventually be seen, like a great Crabbe rising from the depths to snatch victory from the ex-Canadians.

You mean Japanese. Meet Ebirah, the biggest crab with his own Wikipedia article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebirah

 

[PDXFonz]

You mean Japanese. Meet Ebirah, the biggest crab with his own Wikipedia article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebirah

Let's hope Marazul doesn't have to fight this thing on his expedition!

 

[jlprk]

If he can't beat me, he has no chance against Ebirah. And I pity him if a Spelling Thug emerges from the swamp.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Are we still undefeated when Crabbe starts?

Edit: No we're not. But it was a give away game. Start him.

 

[kjironman1]

I personally think Crabbe will see little time and that Gee will become a bigger factor in this series. He is not only more experienced but he is bigger and stronger. Alonzo Gee brings the type of physical game you need to have against the Grizzlies. If we were playing the Spurs or Golden State, then i could see Crabbe becoming a bigger factor.

 

[BBert]

CJ is better suited as our Microwave off the bench at this point anyways.

I concur.

 

[Draco]

I think we'd rather have CJ in the second unit to help score when LA and Dame sit. Crabbe is more of a weakness when we need players to create offense. I expect CJ to finish games with the starters so Crabbe will get a few minutes with the starters but otherwise play very little.

 

[Draco]

I personally think Crabbe will see little time and that Gee will become a bigger factor in this series. He is not only more experienced but he is bigger and stronger. Alonzo Gee brings the type of physical game you need to have against the Grizzlies. If we were playing the Spurs or Golden State, then i could see Crabbe becoming a bigger factor.

I believe the opposite. We won't see much of any Gee this series. Memphis doesn't have wings we need to throw big defenders at. CJ and Crabbe can defend them, their long range shooting is essential to space out a great Memphis defense.

 

[Kaydow]

I personally think Crabbe will see little time and that Gee will become a bigger factor in this series. He is not only more experienced but he is bigger and stronger. Alonzo Gee brings the type of physical game you need to have against the Grizzlies. If we were playing the Spurs or Golden State, then i could see Crabbe becoming a bigger factor.

Stotts just doesn't like to put guys on the perimeter that aren't 3 pt shooters. That said, it's not like Crabbe is automatic. Gee actually ended up with slightly higher % (.371 vs .353) but he only took 35 attempts, making 13. Still think Crabbe is perceived as the more capable shooter. I agree with you that this is a good matchup for Gee. He gets wreckless at times, but is the only guy we have that can play physical on the perimeter, get in the passing lanes/set up fast break points. Grizzlies are going to be tough to score on in half court. It would be nice to get some easy buckets & not have to go against set defense every possession. Still, I think Stotts will go with Crabbe before Gee.

 

[magnifier661]

If Crabbe doesn't hesitate when he's open, he could be dangerous. I think he thinks too much. Or better yet, worry that if he misses, Stotts will take him out.

 

[kjironman1]

I believe the opposite. We won't see much of any Gee this series. Memphis doesn't have wings we need to throw big defenders at. CJ and Crabbe can defend them, their long range shooting is essential to space out a great Memphis defense.

Gee is way more physical and can guard multiple positions. He hits the 3 at a higher rate and can attack the rim. Yeah they have big physical Guards/Forwards coming off the bench like Carter/Tony Allen/ Courtney Lee. All these guys would torch Crabbe and beat him to submission. Not one of them is under 6'-5" and 200 lbs. The entire Grizzlies team is way too physical for Crabbe. Stotts might try him at first but by the second game Crabbe will be on the bench. Just the way i see it.....

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

The biggest problem with Gee is he is still occasionally taking midrange shots; not only is that against Stott's philosophy but it is his weakest shot by far. I'm sure he has been told; take a three pointer if you are set. Go to the hole if you can. But any other situation, PASS, even if the shot clock is running down. so far he is not listening.

 

[kjironman1]

The biggest problem with Gee is he is still occasionally taking midrange shots; not only is that against Stott's philosophy but it is his weakest shot by far. I'm sure he has been told; take a three pointer if you are set. Go to the hole if you can. But any other situation, PASS, even if the shot clock is running down. so far he is not listening.

If Gee has the ball at the end of the shot clock something with the offense has gone terribly wrong. Not supposed to work that way. Doesn't really matter at that point. The thing that will keep him on the court will be defense. This series will be all about DEFENSE! If the Blazers play it they will be successful. If they don't? Well....Who has a boat?

 

[Blazer4ever]

I like this thinking from Stotts.
I'm also, as you know, a big fan of the Gee factor though he's certainly not a SG and Crabbe is better. I would like to give him a chance as a backup SF but would be surprised if Stotts starts playing him in the playoffs. I hope he stays another year but probably wouldn't get more than garbage time minutes in this series.

 

[H.C.]

Why is everyone so obsessed with a throw in player for a trade that really shouldn't be in the rotation on a good team.
It's not like Gee is Tony Allen defensively... He's a good defender but not at that level...
It would be different if Crabbe was going to be matched up vs someone like Joe Johnson who has the ability to post a player with less body mass up.
Who on the Grizz can do that to Crabbe? Lee? Allen? Conley? Udrih? the other white guy? Green maybe but.. I'd be okay with forcing Green to beat the Blazers vs Crabbe and taking the ball out of Gasol/Randolf/Conley's hands.

I will say if Crabbe is getting stuck on too many screens and Afflalo/Weight aren't available. Then CJ should come in. But Gee.. Isn't a player who should be consistently used in a rotation.

 

[Blazinaway]

I started him off right. A 6-7 defensive genius, the next Stacey Augmon.

"defensive genius"? not sayin he's not a decent defender at least but lol

 

[magnifier661]

Why is everyone so obsessed with a throw in player for a trade that really shouldn't be in the rotation on a good team.
It's not like Gee is Tony Allen defensively... He's a good defender but not at that level...
It would be different if Crabbe was going to be matched up vs someone like Joe Johnson who has the ability to post a player with less body mass up.
Who on the Grizz can do that to Crabbe? Lee? Allen? Conley? Udrih? the other white guy? Green maybe but.. I'd be okay with forcing Green to beat the Blazers vs Crabbe and taking the ball out of Gasol/Randolf/Conley's hands.

I will say if Crabbe is getting stuck on too many screens and Afflalo/Weight aren't available. Then CJ should come in. But Gee.. Isn't a player who should be consistently used in a rotation.

And Crabbe is actually a really good shot altering guard. He has good instincts to anticipate when a jump shooter is going up for a shot and can either block or alter the shot

 

[H.C.]

And Crabbe is actually a really good shot altering guard. He has good instincts to anticipate when a jump shooter is going up for a shot and can either block or alter the shot

Which is another thing that should be pointed @.
As long as Crabbe is getting around screens and not getting stuck on them like he was late in the season there... Then his length is going to effect those mid range 2 point shots that Udrih/Lee/the other white guy is going to put up off of picks.