Scouting Report – Allen Crabbe
By Ed Isaacson
Name: Allen Crabbe Age: 21 School: California
Height: 6’6 Weight: 210 Projected Position: SG
2012-13 Stats:
18.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 2.5 tpg (36.2 minutes per game)
45.9 FG%, 81.3 FT%, 34.8 3FG%
56.8 TS%, 52.8 eFG%, 26.6 USG%
SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN
Offense
Perimeter Shooting
Crabbe has very good form on his jumper. He has a high, quick release, good follow-through, and long-range. He has the ability to hit his jumper off the pass or dribble, and if he has time to get set, he is an excellent spot-shooter. While he gets square to the basket quickly off the catch, he needs to work on not rushing the shot and making sure he has a clean look. He uses his dribble well to create space for his jumper, and at 6’6, he has the size to shoot over many who will guard him. Crabbe is excellent at moving without the ball, using screens and cuts well to create space. I would like to see him come off the screens tighter, giving him more separation to shoot. Shot selection can be an issue, though spacing at the NBA level should help him out.
Penetration
Crabbe can be effective when he looks to get into the lane and to the basket. He uses long strides and his body to shield the ball from defenders. He needs to look to draw contact more often and go stronger to the basket instead of settling for off-balanced shots. He has the ability to finish above the rim, and can finish with either hand. He needs to look to go to his left more often instead of trying to force the action to his stronger right hand. He also needs to do a better job keeping his head up and seeing where the help defense is coming from. He will try to force plays through traffic, leading to turnovers or bad shot attempts. He does a great job catching passes and getting into triple threat position, keeping the defense honest. He has a strong mid-range jumper if he chooses to only take a few steps past his defender, though he should work on a short jumper/floater if he sees the help rotate to stop him quickly. While he uses screens well to create space for his jumper, he should look to attack the basket more off of them, and if he draws the defense, find the open man. Crabbe needs to work on getting to the basket easier in isolation situations.
Ballhandling/Passing
Crabbe is an average ballhandler, able to use both hands well and using a variety of dribbles to keep the defense off balance. He has good control, keeping the ball low and close to his body, though he does need to watch forcing his dribble through traffic. He has a good cross-over move which he uses to create space for his jumper, though I would like to see him use it more to attack the lane. While he can use his left hand for short distances, I would like to see him look to attack the basket more with his left hand, which will mean improving it. Crabbe has good court vision and his size allows him to see over the top of most defenses. He is a strong passer from the perimeter, though he can look to improve his ability to make passes off the dribble, especially if he draws help defense in the lane.
Free Throw Shooting
Crabbe is a good free throw shooter, with a consistent routine, good shooting motion and follow-through. He tends to rush his shot at times and he uses his legs very little, leading to him not getting his normal extension and follow-through. Crabbe really needs to improve on getting to the line more, including looking to get to the basket more and not shying from contact.
Defense
Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)
Crabbe is an average on-ball defender. He positions himself well between his man and the basket, and moves well laterally over short distances. He needs to work on getting low and not getting caught standing straight. Also, he needs to react quicker to his man’s movements and not get caught backpedaling. He is capable of guarding multiple positions. Crabbe uses his length well to disrupt passing lanes and close on shooters. Crabbe needs to do a better job getting over the top of screens against shooters, often choosing to either go under the screen or switching, which can lead to poor matchups. Off the ball, Crabbe generally positions himself well, though he can find himself wandering and watching the ball too much, leading to him losing his man. Again, he can use his length to disrupt passing lanes if he looks to pressure off the ball. He needs to do a better job anticipating his man’s movements, especially on cuts to the basket. He needs to work on navigating through screens off the ball, especially getting caught in the lane area, and work on not letting his man get a lot of room to get set for a shot. He has average defensive awareness, and should work on not getting caught fixating on the ball.
Rebounding
Crabbe rebounds well, using his length and athleticism to get up quickly after missed shots. He needs to work on boxing out and anticipating where misses will go and getting to the spot. He is quick after long rebounds and looks to either push the ball or outlet it quickly to get the team moving up court.
Transition
Crabbe is very good in transition, especially running one of the wings. If running on the wing in transition, Crabbe is very good at spotting up behind the 3-point line, but if the defense comes out, he is able to take the ball to the basket and finish. He is capable of pushing the ball himself in transition, but if you pressure him, you can force him into a bad decision.
Intangibles/Summary
Crabbe already has the perimeter game to make some impact at the NBA level. It will be important for him to work on his defensive skills, especially guarding the ball, and keeping his head in the game at all times. Minutes may be not be plentiful in the beginning, so he needs to maximize what he does on the court in short spans. Shot selection will be important, as will his ability to get to the basket more often. He has steadily improved during his years at California, and his offensive skill level combined with his size is going to get him in the door. It will be up to him to make adjustments in his game to get more time on the floor. He has done it before and he should do it again.
Draft Value: Middle 1st – #17-24
Crabbe can score, and I have little doubt that he can continue that at the NBA level. Getting stronger will be important as well as working on becoming more versatile. As he continues to develop, he can still fill the role of a shooter who can help stretch the floor. He should be able to adapt to playing either a halfcourt style or more transition based offense. The results may not come quickly, but he should have a lot of value starting in year 2.
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