Jae Crowder to Cavaliers: Scouting Report, Video Highlights and Analysis

In a draft that was laden with versatility, Jae Crowder presented no exceptions as an adroit scorer capable of defending all five positions.

At 6'6" and 245 pounds, Crowder boasts an NBA body void of a true position. He rebounds like a power forward but scores like shooting guard—an intriguing quandary, yet a quandary nonetheless.

Crowder's uneven skill set, coupled with his underwhelming athleticism, hurt his draft stock in the long run, yet was not enough to prevent him from making the leap of faith from Marquette into the NBA.

What Crowder Brings to the Team

What Crowder lacks in athleticism he makes up for in strength and wit. He's effectively intuitive on the defensive end, both on and off the ball, though his defense of the passing lane stands out most. And while he's barely taller than your average 2-guard, Crowder is remarkably adept at fighting for position in the paint, allowing him to snag rebounds in Kenneth Faried-like Fashion.

Offensively, Crowder is far from limited as well. He moves extremely well without the ball and is one of the best three-point shooters coming in. However, though he favors the perimeter, he's also savvy scoring off the glass. Crowder spends little time playing above the rim, which has forced him to develop a soft and efficient touch, resembling that of both Tim Duncan and Dwyane Wade.

Unfortunately with Crowder, you have to take the good with the bad. For someone who thrives off the perimeter game on offense, his ability to create for others, as well as himself, is below average at best. That, combined with his out-of-position body-type, has paved the way for a flurry of skeptics.

What Experts Are Saying

Crowder can positively impact the game in a multitude of ways, but he can also become a liability in various aspects as well. Subsequently, as noted by Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com, much of his success at the professional level hinges on him further honing his existent bag of tricks.

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Crowder's biggest weakness as a small forward prospect is his inability to create his own shot. A below average ball-handler, he has a difficult time scoring in isolation settings, not looking very fluid with the ball, and struggling to change directions on the fly. It's not a stretch to say that he will need to live off scraps in the NBA, which makes increasing the range and consistency of his jump-shot that much more important.

Crowder's best attributes revolve around his play on the defensive end, where he's one of the most versatile and effective players in all of college basketball. One of the rare players who truly guards every position on the court one through five, often within a single game, Crowder takes great pride in shutting down his matchup, and is a willing contributor as a team defender as well.

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Despite an impressive jump shot and a slew of cogent defensive tactics, Crowder's Chuck Hayes-type body leaves a legion of unanswered questions. He already has some of the tools needed to succeed, but must add more to his toolbox if he intends to evolve as a player.

Rookie Impact

There's no such thing as a surplus of versatility, but there's a danger in being able to execute on so many different levels without any fluidity. If Crowder can compliment his shooting with ball-handling and ability to create off the dribble, as well as transform his defense by quickening his lateral movements, then he has a real opportunity to make an impact.

That said, implementing, and then mastering such attributes, will take more than a summer. Crowder may receive an occasional dose of minutes, but, barring a freakishly long docket of injuries, don't expect to see him assume a stable role within the rotation.

Don't forget his name either, though. He's an extensive project, but one with the potential to pay huge dividends within two years.

Pick Analysis

Jae Crowder is one of the most underrated players in the draft and has huge potential alongside a rapidly growing Cavaliers squad. As a 6'6, 240-pound small forward, he possesses excellent motor skills, which have made him a versatile defender and crafty rebounder.  

There's been some concern because he's an unsteady ball handler, which can lead to careless turnovers. But overall, he's known for his ability to be effective without the ball in his hands, creating shots for his teammates, fighting for rebounds and finishing at the rim with power.