Wow, the offseason really wasn't an indicator at all...

[Dirk's Knee]

I mean, I never use it as much of a predictive indicator. But this year I paid closer attention as with so many new faces and younger guys on the team I was really interested to see what the team might look like prior to the season. The 2 huge shockers have been Gal Mekel and Jae Crowder.

First up Gal, in the preseason he shot a miserable .34 overall and an even worse .22 from 3 with a 1.5 assist to turnover ratio. His inexperience was obvious. He looked every bit the undrafted rookie putting up numbers comparable to camp invites. Since the season has started, he's shooting .53 and .33 from 3 with a respectable 2 assist to turnover ratio. Granted, he was playing starter minutes in much of preseason and the real season is just getting started, but those numbers are solid for a backup. A 2 AST/TO ratio is good enough for 30th overall in the league. For reference Chalmers ranks just above with 2.17 and Stephen Curry's is 1.86 and Shaun Livingston leads the league with a whooping 7 (Calderon ranks 3rd with a ratio of 5).

But even more impressive is Jae Crowder. In preseason, it was largely looking like Crowder would end up being a end of the bench spare shooting .41 and .31 from 3. I, like many yearned for him to develop more of a slashing game but he looked committed to trying to become a 3 point specialist who couldn't hit the three. Well, damn. Since the season has started he's shooting an incredible .65 and .71 from 3. Now, he's clearly streaking as I don't think it's humanly possible to keep those numbers up, but going 5/7 and 4/6 in 2 different games is extremely encouraging that Jae has vastly improved his 3 point shot. In fact, he's third in the league at the moment. The only players ahead have taken 6 or less shots and not missed.

[Underdog]

I'm sticking with my stance that the preseason is an indicator of jack squat.

[Maringa]

I think Mekel has a better chance to remain consistent or slightly improve as he gains experience than Crowder.

There is no way Crowder maintains this pace. I remember early last season, he started off hot with the 3...He will come down to earth. Where I really want to see Crowder improve is his inside game. He has shown more of a willingness to drive, get inside and do other things than just shoot the 3 pointer, in comparison to last year. He does still struggle when heavily defended, but looks more confident and willing to pass off the ball.

As someone mentioned - pre-season is no indicator of anything. I also think the 1st 10-20 games are no indicator either. Let's re-visit this January. That is when the Mavericks wheels were falling off last year....

[tcat075]

He didn't make more than three in game the entire last season. Topped that twice in four games.

[markus1234]

Crowder so far is padding his stats in garbage time.

Early in the game vs. starters he had two stupid fouls (a block attempt and a foul at the 3pt line), and that's all. He plays out of control a little bit.

[Dirk's Knee]

Originally Posted by Maringa

I think Mekel has a better chance to remain consistent or slightly improve as he gains experience than Crowder.

There is no way Crowder maintains this pace. I remember early last season, he started off hot with the 3...He will come down to earth. Where I really want to see Crowder improve is his inside game. He has shown more of a willingness to drive, get inside and do other things than just shoot the 3 pointer, in comparison to last year. He does still struggle when heavily defended, but looks more confident and willing to pass off the ball.

As someone mentioned - pre-season is no indicator of anything. I also think the 1st 10-20 games are no indicator either. Let's re-visit this January. That is when the Mavericks wheels were falling off last year....

I think the Dec/early Jan slump last year had a lot to do with getting used to Dirk being back in the rotation (and his slow return) and inconsistent guard play. By mid January, the team had turned the corner. I do not think Crowder can maintain the pace, but so far he's looking great.

[Dirk's Knee]

Originally Posted by markus1234

Crowder so far is padding his stats in garbage time.

Early in the game vs. starters he had two stupid fouls (a block attempt and a foul at the 3pt line), and that's all. He plays out of control a little bit.

Actually, last night he had a layup and rebound when he came in at the end of the 1st and his second bucket mid 2nd. The rest of his production was in the 4th which I guess in that game one might call the entire 4th garbage time.

His other big game against the Rockets was certainly started as garbage time, though his performance almost turned that around. When he entered the game the score was 78-91. His hot 3 point shooting cut that their lead to 105-110 with :24 left on the clock.

I'm trying to look at things in a positive light. Maybe Crowder can become a 4th quarter weapon...

[GhostOfAdamMorrison]

Originally Posted by Dirk's Knee

Actually, last night he had a layup and rebound when he came in at the end of the 1st and his second bucket mid 2nd. The rest of his production was in the 4th which I guess in that game one might call the entire 4th garbage time.

His other big game against the Rockets was certainly started as garbage time, though his performance almost turned that around. When he entered the game the score was 78-91. His hot 3 point shooting cut that their lead to 105-110 with :24 left on the clock.

I'm trying to look at things in a positive light. Maybe Crowder can become a 4th quarter weapon...

Sure, he can be a 4th quarter weapon...if it's a blowout.

[grndmstr_c]

He's not going to finish the season with a top-20 PER, but if he can stake enough of a legitimate claim to minutes that Rick will feel comfortable giving Vince and Shawn the occasional well-deserved rest, he'll be earning his salary. I was honestly just as pleased by that dive cut he had in the first half and some of his transition finishes as I have been by his three-point shooting.

[adonis]

Crowder is a very poor man's 2006 Jerry Stackhouse.

[GhostOfAdamMorrison]

Originally Posted by adonis

Crowder is a very poor man's 2006 Jerry Stackhouse.

Not sure I really see that comparison. Stackhouse had a nice post-up/mid-range game and was very adept at getting to the FT line. He was also a WAY better passer than Crowder (who possibly has the worst court vision on the team...and I'm including Dalembert and James in that statement). Stack was also grittier.

Crowder has no post-up game and is poor at getting to the line. He's probably a better defender (though Stack would pull some random badass blocks out of his hat) and if this hot start holds water, he might be a better three-point shooter (with Stack being below average...though a solid corner 3 shooter).

[some1nw]

its been only 5 games, cool story bro

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by some1nw

its been only 5 games, cool story bro

5 games with a brand new team. They are still playing tentatively. Opposing teams' whole job is to disrupt our offense, which is tough while we ourselves are learning it. Also, OKC is a top-5 defensive team.

[Dirk's Knee]

Originally Posted by some1nw

its been only 5 games, cool story bro

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

5 games with a brand new team. They are still playing tentatively. Opposing teams' whole job is to disrupt our offense, which is tough while we ourselves are learning it. Also, OKC is a top-5 defensive team.

Yep. Crowder continuing his hot streak last night with 17 points shooting .75, .6 from 3 and 3 boards. Stat line thus far is 10.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, and 26.59 PER. This type of performance likely won't continue, but I think the haters are missing the point. Did anyone expect this? Or maybe reframed, should anyone expect this from a 2nd round pick earning the min? You guys are trying to compare him to Jerry Stackhouse???!!!???? Man, all I'm saying is Crowder is playing way beyond expectations starting the season and has been a factor against opponent's second units. From an offensive perspective, he's the best off the bench so far. Absolutely shocking...