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Season Reviews: Allen Crabbe Proves His Worth on Defense

By Jacob Swanson

Feb 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) defends Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) defends Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) in the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 22, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket against Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Although Solid, Still Room to Improve

The season was not as complete success for Crabbe. He sputtered offensively against the Warriors, shooting 23.1 percent from three in the series and scoring less than six points per game.  Portland needed more scoring from him in a series. Especially when tasked with a match up against the NBA’s most potent offense.

Crabbe’s points per game remained constant from 2015-16. He averaged 10.7 points per game last season, up from 10.3 the year before.  The Blazers will hope to see some offensive growth from the former California Golden Bear. They need another go-to scorer in the second unit.  Hopefully Crabbe will be more aggressive offensively next season, which could see his shot totals increase from 8.2 per game.  He’s shown that he can sink shots when he’s called upon, as evidenced by his strong numbers from distance.

Last season, Crabbe cemented himself as a second-unit cornerstone and a defensive asset for the Blazers as they strive to move up in the Western Conference hierarchy.  He’ll be a key player if the Blazers’ 2017-18 season is to end better than the last one.

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