Brooklyn Nets: Allen Crabbe’s much-needed aggressive alter ego
The Brooklyn Nets management have high hopes for Allen Crabbe in their future plans, but which version of the guard will they be getting moving forward?
Allen Crabbe has been in many opinions a disappointment so far with the Brooklyn Nets this season. He was acquired during the offseason to become a premier scorer in the league and the perfect backcourt running mate for D’Angelo Russell.
This year, he is only producing in a 12.3 points per game average — well below team expectations heading into the season. The belief was simply he hasn’t shown the same aggression as he did while a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. In his four seasons in Portland, Crabbe excelled as a rotation player off the bench providing the offensive spark needed in the second unit.
As a starter on the Nets, Crabbe hasn’t shown the same aggression until recently with impressive performances against the Detroit Pistons and New Orleans Pelicans. The fifth-year guard had a career-high 34 points in the Nets’ loss to the Pistons in Detroit, showing no fear to take big shots before continuing the same trend back home in Brooklyn in another losing effort to the Pelicans. He finished with 28 points in that game.
Spencer Dinwiddie joked about the sudden change in offensive aggressiveness from Crabbe, crediting a sort of alter ego named “A.C.” that turns Crabbe into the offensive dynamo he’s been the last two games. Crabbe addressed the nickname and his recent strong performances with reporters after Saturday’s overtime loss.
"“He always jokes with me when I don’t have the good games he says I play like Allen, and when I’m aggressive and doing what I need to be doing, he says I’m playing like AC,” Crabbe said. “That’s just our little trash talk to each other.“It’s nothing new to me. My teammates are finding me, putting me in good situations, good opportunities. I’m getting good looks. They’re screening for me well, finding me in transition. Just got to keep shooting the ball, regardless. Coach tells me if you get 15 threes up, who cares. Just keep shooting. That’s what I’m doing, and the ball’s going in for me right now.“Last two games are just how I need to play, Should have been playing like this from day one. It’s just something new. New adjustment, new team, so you want to get a feel for it and see where you can get your spots and where you can be effective. Last two games, not playing with a conscience. Not thinking. Just going out there and hoop. I think it’s working well and hopefully I can carry this over.”"
Crabbe connected on eight 3-point field goals in the game (also a season high), showing plenty of confidence. The Nets have been wanting this since his arrival in Brooklyn and because he’s making superstar money on the team.
The 25-year-old still has three years and $56.3 million left on his contract, still garnering the status of a “max player” in the NBA. In comparison, he is making more money this season than guys like four-time All-Star Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors.
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The pressure will continue to be on to produce for the rest of this season regardless of the team’s record. Nets management is focused on building a contender with young players moving forward and Crabbe — or “A.C.” — needs to prove his worth as the centerpiece and not just a role player.