On ESPN-U's coverage of the Marquette game today, part of the exchange was Rich Hollenberg saying, 'Here is Jae Crowder, possible 1st team All-Big East,' and Miles Simon responding with, "Yeah, he is a special player ..."
I'm still trying to find anyone NOT on the "Why the Jae Crowder love" post that doesn't think Jae Crowder is one of the best players around.
NBC sports picked up on my preseason post on him, and did a nice piece:
http://beyondthearc.nbcsports.com/2011/07/19/marquette-may-have-the-nations-best-all-around-player/
College hoops journal made an interesting discovery. Jae is now on pace to become only the 2nd BCS player in the last decade, along with Terrence Williams, to grab 160 defensive rebounds, hit 40 treys and swipe 40 steals in two different seasons. The only others to do it ONCE are Kyle Singler, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Kevin Durant, Wes Johnson, Carmelo Anthony, Ryan Gomes, Maarty Leunen AND LAZAR HAYWARD.
http://www.collegehoopsjournal.com/2011/12/09/why-jae-crowder-is-even-better-than-you-think/
Love all Marquette fans whether I agree or disagree, but unless someone prefers the NIT to the NCAA tournament, everyone should really be thankful that we have Jae.
I wondered if people's opinions are effected by where they sit. I sit in row H and looking straight to the court my vision line is right at the front of the rim. I have a really good view of what goes on under the basket on my end. People often complain about Crowder getting a foul, but I do not think they see all the things he successfully does. Things you cannot see when you sit in the upper sections. Things I cannot see when the game is at the far end of the court. I believe that Crowder is easily our best player.
Just an awesome story on Jae from the Ballin is a Habit blog. Take time to read to whole thing, especially the part where Buzz recruits him.
"Whenever you hear stories about how a coach found a player that no one else was recruiting, there is always a story behind it; something sensational that the player accomplished while that coach happened to be standing on the sidelines. Like love at first sight, all it takes is one dunk or one no-look pass or one charge taken to realize 'Hey, this kid's going to be pretty good.'
What did Crowder do that caught Williams' eye?
"Jae had three fouls in the first half, finished with three points and four boards," Williams said. "He was awful. Played 10 minutes."
Huh?
He did what?
Explain."
http://www.ballinisahabit.net/2012/01/jae-crowders-matchup-nightmare-but-he.html (http://www.ballinisahabit.net/2012/01/jae-crowders-matchup-nightmare-but-he.html)
Probably because Jae isn't that talented.
Quote from: pux90mex on January 15, 2012, 01:18:05 AM
Just an awesome story on Jae from the Ballin is a Habit blog. http://www.ballinisahabit.net/2012/01/jae-crowders-matchup-nightmare-but-he.html (http://www.ballinisahabit.net/2012/01/jae-crowders-matchup-nightmare-but-he.html)
Wow, thanks for sharing, what a read.
and bilsu, you may have a point. A guy who draws charges and gets as many steals, blocked shots, and defensive rebounds as Crowder and has had to guard some 6-11 guys since Otule went down is going to foul a good bit, but you are right that there is no way the fouls offset even a small part of his incredible contributions.
Thank you for sharing the articles and your thoughts. It goes a long way for Marquette credibility to have you doing the analysis the becomes the basis of national coverage.
With all respect to other hard core Warrior bloggers, it seems as the box score is the end all and be all for some of the most vocal fans.
To state the obvious, a lot happens on the court - a lot that does not show-up in the box score. A lot that television basketball commentators/"experts" do not have the time, or expertise, to address.
Basketball is a three dimensional sport. The box score covers but one dimension. The other two fall under the general heading of playing as a team and winning.
Great article, pux, thanks for sharing.
As far as Crowder or anyone else, I'm not sure if it's the nature of all fans, or MU fans online, but we see all the positives and negatives of a player. We have a more complete view of them, and thus it's easier for us to nitpick our own, often unfairly. Just think about the roster. Chris Otule can't score, Davante Gardner can't play defense, Jamil Wilson should be further along, Vander Blue can't shoot, Todd Mayo has lost his mojo, DJO turns it over too much and misses FTs late, Jamail Jones can't even succeed as a three-point specialist, Derrick Wilson does nothing on the offensive end. The only guy that really doesn't get any criticism is Juan, but I guarantee if he was playing 10+ mpg, people would find a reason there as well.
From the outside, CO is a dominant shot-blocker, DG is a superb low-post scorer, Jamil is a solid bench contributor, Vander is one of the most versatile players around, DJO is All-Big East and a dynamic scorer, Mayo is a brilliant freshman find, and Mellow, DW, and Juan are all just underclassmen that aren't expected to be contributing much yet anyway.
We're too close to it. We see all the flaws. I'm sure pretty much every other team has critics of even their best players too. Not at all something to worry over.
Quote from: brewcity77 on January 15, 2012, 06:27:07 AM
From the outside, CO is a dominant shot-blocker, DG is a superb low-post scorer, Jamil is a solid bench contributor, Vander is one of the most versatile players around, DJO is All-Big East and a dynamic scorer, Mayo is a brilliant freshman find, and Mellow, DW, and Juan are all just underclassmen that aren't expected to be contributing much yet anyway.
We're too close to it. We see all the flaws. I'm sure pretty much every other team has critics of even their best players too. Not at all something to worry over.
Great insight Brew. I went with my friend yesterday who never sees Marquette games. It was interesting listen to him rave about both Crowder and Cadougan. Sometimes we are just too close to it all.
Offensively I like Jae, but defensively he is weak. Steals are not a good indicator of whether or not a player can play defense. Glenn Robinson always averaged great steal numbers and he was a horrible defender. He is often out of position, loses his man, and he fouls way too much for my liking. I understand he plays against guys much bigger than him most of the time, but lets be honest, he is not a great all around player. He doesn't dribble or shoot that well from the perimeter, and he isn't quick enough to guard other teams 2 guards. He is a lesser version of Lazar, which is not a bad thing, he just is what he is. This sounds like I don't like Jae, I really do, but he definitely has some glaring holes in his game.
Despite my criticism I am glad we have Jae, and he will be sorely missed next year.
Quote from: bamamarquettefan on January 15, 2012, 12:22:57 AM
but unless someone prefers the NIT to the NCAA tournament, everyone should really be thankful that we have Jae.
Nicely put.
Nice post, Brew - a lot of wisdom there.
And jealous of bilsu, with seats looking at the rim. Miss being able to be at games, those days were great.
Will get to see the Warriors this Saturday, though - beats the hell out of live streaming. Maybe I'll bump into lab_warrior, drinking his Dunkin Donuts coffee - I'll be having a different beverage.