Mailbag: C.J. McCollum, Allen Crabbe, and lineup adjustments

Mailbag Monday is now run through Twitter. If you would like to have your Trail Blazers questions discussed in next week’s edition, follow @ripcityproject and send them our way. If Twitter is new to you, simple instruction can be found here.

Making that sort of adjustment is not out of the question in a best-of-seven series, though I don’t think we are likely to see it happen. The Memphis Grizzlies’ offense is primarily focused on big men and scoring in the paint. They are the least guard-oriented playoff team in the West. With no top-tier superstars in the Memphis backcourt demanding defensive attention, Portland is probably better off starting C.J. McCollum for offense than Allen Crabbe for defense; especially since the talent disparity between McCollum and Crabbe on offense is rather noticeable, while their defensive difference is relatively marginal.

Dec 9, 2014; Auburn Hills, MI, USA;Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

You are not at all off-base with your suggestion, though. Crabbe is a nice complementary player that doesn’t require the ball in his hands to be effective. He plays textbook defense, spaces the floor well on offense without taking shots from others, and has a talent for leaking out in transition. Just days ago, The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman raised some of the same points and suggested that Crabbe may be suited to start in Game 1. Crabbe is, in my mind, at a point where he won’t give you high highs, but he won’t give you low lows or damage the team’s rhythm either. Guys that mesh like that can be particularly valuable.

Still, McCollum has proved to be something Crabbe is not: a consistent threat. Past spotting up in the corners, he can penetrate and get his own shot. This is hugely important against a defensively elite frontline. With McCollum on the floor with the starters, the Grizzlies have to respect one more versatile scorer that they cannot cheat off of to help. Theoretically, this makes the rest of the Trail Blazers’ jobs a little easier. As for shooting threes, the Trail Blazers aren’t about to change the backbone of their offense. Fortunately, both McCollum and Crabbe can be considered specialists in Wesley Matthews’ absence.

Back to the defensive side of things, I firmly believe that Crabbe is needed more in the second unit anyway. Consider that the Grizzlies starting wings are Courtney Lee and Tony Allen. Neither is taller than 6’5” and only one of them can shoot. Their bench wings, on the other hand, are Vince Carter and Jeff Green. They are 6’6” and 6’9” respectively, and both momentum shifters if they get hot. The Trail Blazers need Crabbe’s length and consistency to help keep those two at bay more than anything else. The smaller McCollum would get stepped on.

More from Blazers News

• Blazers News: Portland signs FIBA WC standout center
• Blazers News: Portland re-signing failed lottery pick
• Portland Trail Blazers NBA 2K24 team, player ratings
• Woj: Blazers, Lillard ‘fully prepared’ for star to be with team in training camp
• 3 Underrated Blazers who could make a massive impact this season

Although experimenting with different lineups would be interesting, all of this will shortly be irrelevant. Arron Afflalo (shoulder) is rumored to be ready for Game 2, in which he would likely reprise his starting role unless subjected to a significant minute restriction. Upon his return, McCollum will be pushed to the bench and Crabbe will presumably shift to small forward in a reduced capacity.

Despite all this, in a base sense, we are on the same page. There needs to be a defensive change after last night if the Trail Blazers hope to remain competitive, and Crabbe is one of the most reliable tools that the shorthanded Trail Blazers have at their disposal. He ought to be utilized accordingly.

Next: Lillard must make changes: Game 1 Roundtable