More so than in any other team sport, in the game of basketball, the departure or arrival of one player can gravely affect the outlook and prospects of an entire franchise.
For the Portland Trail Blazers, in the span of two months, the team has transformed itself from a veteran-laden, win-now squad, into a collection of recent first-round draft picks who communally possess the optimistic ingredient of untapped potential.
ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: The Top 30 Ball-Handlers of All-Time
More specifically, with their former franchise player LaMarcus Aldridge‘s decision to leave Rip City and take his talents to the Alamo in San Antonio, Blazers’ general manager, Neil Olshey, has made a concerted effort of getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.
Gone are four staples of their starting lineup over the past several years in Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, and the aforementioned Aldridge.
Accordingly, the keys to the PDX have been turned over to the lone returning starter, Damian Lillard — who the upper management has given a max extension to this offseason; thereby, keeping Dame in Portland at least until the 2020-21 season.
More from Portland Trail Blazers
- Damian Lillard needs just two words to dismantle a Blazers fan’s hot take
- NBA Rumors: Stalled trade talks may lead to Blazers, 76ers keeping stars
- The NBA’s strong message to Lillard clears path for a major trade
- NBA Trades: Is this the deal that finally sends Damian Lillard to Miami?
- 5 players who will challenge Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year
Meanwhile, the rest of their refurbished roster consists primarily of young, athletic neophytes the Blazers hope to hone and .feature next year.
In an effort to build a modern, position-less team around Lillard, Portland has signed hybrid forward Al-Farouq Aminu, along with the lanky shot-blocking lefty from North Carolina, Ed Davis, over the free agency period. The team also acquired Noah Vonleh, last year’s ninth overall draft selection of the Charlotte Hornets, in the Nicolas Batum trade.
On draft night, Olshey also dealt veteran point guard Steve Blake along with their 2015 first-round pick, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, for Mason Plumlee, a high-motor, bouncy big man who’ll serve as the ideal pick-and-roll partner for Lillard this upcoming campaign.
Leftover from last season’s roster, on the other hand, are a trio of homegrown prospects — namely, Allen Crabbe, C.J. McCollum, and Meyers Leonard — the Blazers’ management believe will make a material leap next year.
If his Summer League performance is of any indication, Crabbe, Portland’s third-year swingman, looks poised to reward Rip City for their unwavering faith.
Allen Crabbe has done what he's needed to do at summer league. Quality performance in Las Vegas.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) July 16, 2015
Through two seasons, the 24-year-old California-native has served mainly as a spot 3-and-D player off of the Blazers bench.
Rip City Project
Most of his offensive contributions derived off of spot-ups and the occasional off-ball cut. In fact, approximately 61.8 percent of his field goal attempts came from catch-and-shoot opportunities, and 74.3 percent of his shots were taken directly off of a pass, per NBA.com’s SportVU Data.
Not surprisingly, driven by the limited capacity of his role on offense, Crabbe averaged a measly 8.9 points per 36 minutes last season.
However, we have seen a completely different Allen Crabbe during his four-game stint at the 2015 Las Vegas Summer League. Most notably, the 6-foot-6 wing looks much more confident and decisive on the offensive end.
Undoubtedly, the equal opportunity offense the Blazers are employing has helped Crabbe’s offensive outpour, but the former Cal Golden Bear looks a lot more polished and comfortable with the ball in his hands.
While he is not initiating the offense by any means, he has routinely showcased his ability to nail pull-up jumpers while negotiating a side pick-and-roll, attacking aggressive closeouts and hitting the rare floater, and nailing catch-and-shoot spot-up 3-point attempts at an extremely efficacious rate.
Crabbe, though, is more than likely done for the rest of Summer League. After suffering a severe ankle sprain in his fourth SL game, the Blazers has decided to rest their lead swingman.
During his said four-game binge, however, Allen averaged over 15.5 points per game in just 23.8 minutes a contest. More impressively, he shot a blistering 53.2 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from beyond the arc, per NBA.com.
#Blazers say G/F Allen Crabbe sustained a severe left ankle sprain and will miss four-to-six weeks. #CalBears.
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 16, 2015
Looking forward to next season, Crabbe will have every opportunity to snatch the starting small forward gig.
Although, as mentioned, the Blazers signed Aminu this offseason, the former Wake Forest Demon Deacon is much more suited to play the role of the stretch four in coach Terry Stotts’ flow system. Alternatively, Crabbe, a natural wing equipped with the perquisite set of refined perimeter skills, fits more habitually with the spacing their offense demands.
By all accounts, the Blazers will frequently utilize a three-guard front — featuring Lillard, McCollum, and veteran Gerald Henderson, who came over along with Vonleh from Charlotte; however, with the length and defensive versatility Crabbe presents, he should be 25-30 minute per game chief piece in the Blazers’ rotation if he can translate his offensive prowess over to the regular season.
Next: Emmanuel Mudiay Summer League Progress Report
More from Hoops Habit
- The 5 most dominant NBA players who never won a championship
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout