Jae Crowder is an NBA veteran who has made an impact on the court with his defensive prowess. He is a two-time NBA All-Defensive team selection and was named to the All-Defensive second team in 2018. He has also been a key contributor to the Miami Heat’s success over the past two seasons.
But how does he compare to another veteran of the game, Jr Smith? In this article, we will examine the defensive abilities of both players and compare the two to determine whether Jae Crowder is better than Jr Smith.
Why Jae Crowder Is a Defensive Asset
Jae Crowder is a defensive asset due to his ability to affect the game on the defensive end. Crowder’s defensive ratings are important when evaluating his defensive contribution to a team. His individual defensive rating (DRtg) is a measure of the points allowed per 100 possessions when he is on the court. Last season with the Phoenix Suns, his DRtg was 105.9, indicating that the Suns allowed 5.9 fewer points per 100 possessions when Crowder was on the court. This number was even higher when he joined the Miami Heat, as his DRtg increased to 110.2.
Crowder’s defensive rating is also important in evaluating his impact on team success. His win share is a measure of the amount of wins a player contributes to their team due to their performance. Last season his win share was 0.119 with the Suns, indicating that he contributed nearly one win due to his defensive performance. This number was higher when he joined the Heat, as his win share increased to 0.104. This shows that he contributed to the Heat’s success defensively and was a key contributor to their success.
Crowder’s defensive rating and win share demonstrate how important his defensive contributions are to a team’s success. His ability to affect the game on the defensive end is why he is such a valuable asset to any team. His ability to guard multiple positions, use his length and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses, and his willingness to take the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player are all reasons why Crowder is such a valuable defensive asset. He is a player that any team would be wise to have on their roster due to his ability to impact the game on the defensive end.
Comparison to Jr. Smith
Overview of Jr. Smith’s Defensive Ratings
J.R. Smith is a veteran NBA player who has spent the majority of his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Smith is known for his defensive prowess and his ability to guard multiple positions. Over the course of his career, Smith has accumulated a defensive rating of 104.5, which is slightly above the league average for defensive ratings. His defensive rating is a measure of the points allowed by his team when he is on the court compared to when he is off the court. Smith also boasts a win share of 0.104 and a defensive box plus/minus of -0.4, which suggests that he has been a slightly below average defender throughout his career.
Impact of Defensive Rating on Team Success
A player’s defensive rating is an important factor in determining their team’s success. A player’s defensive rating indicates how well they are able to stop opponents from scoring, and a higher rating indicates that they are better at this task. For example, J.R. Smith’s defensive rating of 104.5 suggests that he is slightly above average at stopping opponents from scoring. As a result, a team with a player like Smith on it is more likely to have a better defensive rating than a team without him. This can lead to improved team success as it can help to limit opponents’ scoring and ultimately lead to better overall team performance. Additionally, having a higher defensive rating can also lead to improved team morale as it is a sign that the team is playing well defensively and is more likely to win games.
Pros and Cons of Both Players
Jae Crowder Pros
- Defense: Jae Crowder is known to have a defensive mindset, and it shows on the court. His individual defensive rating last season in Phoenix was 105.9, and he had a 107.9 rating in his 29 regular season games with the Heat. His presence on the court allows for more aggressive defensive play since he can take on the tougher assignments at the wing.
- Shooting: Crowder has always been a reliable shooter from beyond the arc, even when his points per game average has been low. He shot 38.5% from three last season, and is a perfect fit for the Heat’s offense that relies heavily on spacing and shooting.
- Leadership: As an experienced veteran, Crowder brings a lot of leadership to the table. He is a vocal leader on and off the court, and his teammates look to him for guidance and advice. His presence has already had a positive effect on the younger players on the Heat, and he will be an invaluable asset as the team continues to develop.
Jae Crowder Cons
- Age: At 31 years old, Crowder is nearing the tail end of his prime. While he still has plenty of years left in the league, his physical ability will start to decline over time, and he won’t be able to keep up with some of the younger players in the league.
- Size: At 6’6”, Crowder is undersized for his position, which can be a disadvantage on defense. He will have trouble defending some of the bigger forwards in the league, and will need help from his teammates to contain them.
- Rebounding: Crowder does not have a great rebounding ability, averaging just 4.9 rebounds per game last season. This could be a problem for a team like the Heat that does not have a lot of size in the frontcourt, and could be an issue against bigger teams in the playoffs.
Smith Pros:
- Shootng: J.R. Smith is one of the best shooters in the league, and is one of the few players who can knock down threes with ease even when heavily guarded. He shot 40.1% from beyond the arc last season, and is a perfect fit for the Heat’s offense that relies heavily on spacing and shooting.
- Experience: Smith is a 15-year veteran who has played in eight NBA Finals, winning one championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. His experience will be invaluable for the Heat as they look to compete for a championship this season.
- Leadership: Smith is known to be a vocal leader on and off the court, and his teammates look to him for guidance and advice. His presence will have a positive effect on the younger players on the Heat, and he will be an invaluable asset as the team continues to develop.
Smith Cons:
- Age: At 35 years old, Smith is near the end of his career. While he still has plenty of years left in the league, his physical ability will start to decline over time, and he won’t be able to keep up with some of the younger players in the league.
- Defense: Smith has never been known as a defensive stopper, and his individual defensive rating was 108.9 last season in Milwaukee. His lack of size and quickness could be a problem for a team like the Heat that needs defensive consistency from all five positions.
- Attitude: Smith is known for having an unpredictable attitude, both on and off the court. He has been known to make controversial statements and has had issues with coaches in the past. His attitude could be an issue for the Heat if it starts to affect his play on the court.
Additional Resources
Jae Crowder is a veteran forward who has been in the NBA for over 8 seasons. He is known for his defensive-minded style of play, and for his ability to guard multiple positions. He is also a capable shooter from beyond the arc, which makes him a valuable asset for teams looking for 3-and-D wings.
Crowder’s defensive numbers back up his reputation as a solid defender. Last season in Phoenix, he posted a 105.9 individual defensive rating, with a 0.119 win share. In his 29 regular-season games with the Heat, his defensive rating was 110.2. He also has a career defensive win share of 3.8, which shows that he has been consistent throughout his career in terms of his defensive contributions.
Crowder also adds an offensive component to his game, as he is a reliable shooter from beyond the arc. He has shot 35.2% from 3-point range for his career, and last season he shot 37.5%. While he is not an elite shooter, he does provide a consistent outside shooting threat, which helps to space the floor for his team’s slashers and pick-and-roll players.
Jae Crowder’s versatility and defensive mindset make him a valuable asset for teams looking to add depth to their roster. He is able to guard multiple positions, and he can also stretch the floor with his shooting ability. He is a reliable contributor on both ends of the floor, and he has been a consistent part of winning teams throughout his career.
How Much Money Did Jr Smith Make in His Career?
Jr Smith made an impressive $90 million in salary from his NBA career. He played for five different teams throughout his career. The majority of his earnings came from his five year stint with the Cavaliers.
Smith’s total salary was well above the average NBA player’s salary. He was one of the highest paid players during his time in Cleveland. Smith earned more than $57 million during his time with the Cavaliers.
His contracts with other teams also contributed to his total earnings. His time with the New York Knicks earned him an additional $15 million. Smith’s salary was one of the highest in the league during his playing days.
His impressive career earnings demonstrate his incredible talent and success in the NBA.
To Recap
Jae Crowder and Jr Smith are both highly accomplished and experienced players in the NBA. While both players are known for their defensive ability, Crowder appears to have a clear edge in this regard.
His individual defensive rating was higher than Smith’s for both the 2018 and 2019 seasons, and his defensive win shares were also superior. In addition, his defensive rating with the Heat was significantly better than Smith’s.
All in all, it appears that Jae Crowder is a better defender than Jr Smith and is likely the superior option for any team looking to bolster their defense.
