Some Brooklyn Nets fans believe GM Sean Marks made a mistake with his pursuit of Allen Crabbe in 2016 and the 2017 trade, but has Crabbe turned a corner?
Ever since 2016, the Brooklyn Nets have loved Allen Crabbe, but did general manager Sean Marks buy into Crabbe too much? Some Nets fans make the case that Crabbe was Marks’ biggest mistake, but Crabbe’s offseason preparation may prove this otherwise.
Crabbe dedicated himself to his progression with the Nets this offseason, where he usually spends his offseason back home in L.A. Crabbe decided to stay in Brooklyn after a two-week vacation at the end of the season.
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On the court, Crabbe’s progression last season was as evident as ever. Through the first 50 games, Crabbe shot 35.3 percent from 3-point range. This all changed during the back end of the year when Crabbe decided to pull the trigger more, improving to 41.7 percent from 3.
Not only did his percentage from three improve, but the shooter’s overall shooting percentage was the most improved on the Nets. Crabbe went from averaging 11.6 points to 16.3 points per game over the course of the season.
Not only did Crabbe improve his numbers over the course of the season, but he found his career-high of 41 points during his 26th birthday.
Not only did Crabbe spend a significant amount of time working on his shot, but he spent more time this offseason watching film to improve his court vision.
Crabbe told D.J. Sixsmith of WCBS:
"“I’ve watched a lot of film.”"
Crabbe spent this time watching film to work off-ball, finding himself in more shooting spots on the floor. Along with his shooting and basketball IQ, Crabbe recruited two former teammates, Ed Davis and Shabazz Napier, to Brooklyn.
During training camp thus far, we have seen Crabbe tasked with showing these two the ropes in Brooklyn.
Now that the regular season is coming up after a short four-game preseason, Crabbe is looking to pick up right where he left off last season.
"“I want to jump start this season the way I ended last season,” and when commenting on himself and the Nets organization he said, “It’s a match made in heaven,”"
A match made in heaven. After a long summer of hard work for Crabbe, Nets fans can’t help but believe him when he says this.
Crabbe’s offseason progression and preparation is what will help Crabbe pick up where he left off and be accountable as one of the Nets snipers from 3 this season.