http://ift.tt/2k6PdaO Allen Crabbe is gone, his contract and three-point shot shipped off to Brooklyn by the Trail Blazers. And if you had to choose one player on the Portland roster who has the best chance to fit into that off-the-bench scorer role, who would it be? My pick would be Pat Connaughton. The third-year pro out of Notre Dame came on at the end of last season and became a part of the team's regular rotation on some nights. He even got court time in the playoffs. At 6-5, 210 he's a physical player who shows promise as an outside shooter and defender. He shot 51.5 percent from three-point range in limited duty last season and is at 40.7 percent for his 73-game career. What say you, Pat? Are you ready to step into Crabbe's role? "Obviously that's a coach's decision," he said after Tuesday's morning practice, the first of two workouts for the day. "But I learned a lot from AC. I was close to him and still am, I'm ready to do whatever needs to be done. I think I can step up, help the team win, make shots and do the things he did." Connaughton is a big jumper and very physical. An athlete. But let him tell you what kind of player he aspires to be. "I pride myself on being active," he said. "Use my athleticism on the defensive end and on the rebounding side of things and then making jump shots and being able to create a little bit off the dribble. Summer League was a short stint for me this year but I had the ball in my hands a lot and I learned those type of (playmaking) things from CJ and Dame. Obviously they are a little bit different players but you'd like to be a mix of AC and them. You want to shoot for that type of ceiling -- knock down shots and handle the ball when it's called for. "Within the flow of the offense be a playmaker and make some shots." There is a big emphasis on defense in Portland's camp and that plays into Connaughton's skillset. "I think I've learned a lot in my two years in the league on the defensive end," he said. "It's not about picking a guy up full court, it's about your angles." And Pat, I would say you are a little more physical than the average guy, right? "Yeah, I would say so, too," he said. "I can use my athleticism to have an impact at the defensive end, both from an on-ball defender, a help defender and a rebounder." Coach Terry Stotts showed confidence in Connaughton last season and gaining the trust of your coach is a big part of a young player's development. "I really like Pat," Stotts said. "He's really improved his shooting. He played on the front line in college and he's really developed his guard skills -- his shooting, his passing, his out-on-the-floor skills. There are minutes to be had with AC gone. Pat knows the opportunity is there. "I think last year showed I wasn't afraid to put Pat in games. You can trust him. He knows all the plays from every position. He's a smart player. He talks, He's a good teammate.There's a lot of trust in Pat, not only from me but but his teammates. And for a young player, that's important."
I'm excited to see Pat this season. This is his make or break season for his NBA career. Otherwise I think he heads to baseball next year.
We'll find out once preseason games start. Personally I'm not a connaughton guy. Much more a Layman guy. Interested in Morrow as well.
I completely agree. Pat may never put it all together, but if he does he has Wesley Matthews potential. Feel free to make fun of me for that, but I stand by it. Just read what's written underneath my name.
What does he have in common with Matthews? Honest question. Just trying to understand what you see in him. Sell him to me!
Like I said, he may not put it all together. However, if he does I see him attaining that level of play. I think he can be that same type of player. He is a hardnosed defender, communicates more than pretty much anyone else on the team on the defensive end. He rebounds really well for a guard. He has roughly the same frame as Wes, and plays bigger than his size. Remember, he played PF for much of his stint in college, so he knows how to bang and out compete other guards. He has a decent handle, but not great, and can hit the outside shot. He's still growing as a player and has the potential put it all together. Remember, he was posting up guards in college. I'll add that he may never put it all together.
what made you to make that change anyway, I dont drink too, nor smoking, nor using drugs however I like betting
Completely fair. And I agree. I just think that IF he does pan out, he could be that type of player. He has the basic skill set.
Fair enough. I just don't think he has the size or lateral quickness to defend NBA guards/wings consistently but I do remember him playing bigger than his listed size in college and his rebounding has translated to the NBA. My biggest question is with his shot, and specifically whether he can create for himself (by that I don't mean with the ball, but rather is he quick enough to come off screens, etc) This will be a good preseason. A lot of different battles this year. Last year everyone's role was pretty much set.
When I do something, I go all in. This comes in handy when it comes to work, art, and music. Not so much when it is something destructive.
he should be given a chance to prove if he can put it together and contribute to the team and if he can, great, if he cant, then well know for sure...
Connaughton probably does have the early advantage over Morrow and Layman just from his familiarity with the playbook so I guess it could be his job to lose.
Exactly. With Crabbe gone, this is his year to prove wether he is a true rotation player, or just a guy who can do well in garbage time. It will be interesting to see regardless. The minutes are there for the taking. It actually reminds me of Crabbe's exact situation when Matthews, Batum, and LMA left.
Morrow had an awful season and he got non-guaranteed contract and you have to wonder whys that was last season a fluke or hes not at the same level as before, it remains to be seen
