The Boston Celtics do have one All-Star on their roster in Isaiah Thomas, but Jae Crowder might actually be the most valuable player on the team.
The Boston Celtics did not have two of their best current players at this point last season. The team made moves for both Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder during the season, and both moves have proven to be beneficial for the team.
Thomas has gotten most of the praise for the Celtics because of his ability to score and hit big shots, but people are starting to notice Crowder’s impressive play.
Crowder is averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and he is shooting 36 percent from deep (all career-highs). The Celtics have obviously given Crowder the chance to shine, unlike the Dallas Mavericks, who sent him to Boston in the Rajon Rondo trade. This is another trade that the Celtics made out well on, especially since Crowder was basically a throw-in.
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Crowder has been known in years past a defensive-minded wing who cannot really score or shoot the basketball, but during this season he has really become the Celtics best two-way player.
Crowder has an offensive rating 113 per 100 possessions, which is tied with Thomas, and he has an defensive rating of 101, which is seventh on the team. One reason his defensive rating is a little low is because he is always guarding the opposing teams top scorers, which is obviously not an easy job.
Crowder has shown this season that he can get the big bucket if the team needs or he can make the big steal or defensive play to put the Celtics in position to win.
Crowder’s play this year has definitely put the Celtics in the great position and he has shown how important it is to have a two-way wing on a team that can guard opponents’ top scorer.
Is Crowder The C’s Biggest Trade Asset?
The Celtics are always looking to make a move to make their team better, and right now, Crowder might be the teams biggest trade asset. He is two-way wing that can guard multiple positions and shoot from beyond the arc. If the Celtics are going to make a big trade around the trade deadline, there is a high possibility that Crowder would be in that trade.
Other than the Brooklyn Nets‘ 2016 first-round draft pick, Crowder is the top trade asset because many NBA teams need two-way wings like Crowder. Now that Crowder has added three-point shooting to his game, he could certainly be on the radar of many teams.
Overall
Crowder has become the Celtics’ most valuable player because of his ability to get it done efficiently on both ends of the floor. It would be interesting to see how Crowder would do without someone like Thomas as a floor general because he does create opportunities for Crowder.
This season, Crowder has displayed how good he is on both ends of the floor and he has been consistent for Boston, especially on offense.
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The Celtics would have a tough time replacing Crowder because of his impressive play on both ends and since he is the heart and soul of the Celtics’ squad.