[ClutchFans] Podcast: On the KPJ Trade and Future of the Rockets

Can't wait to listen on the way to work tomorrow morning!

 

Clutch is killing me with these homepage photos. First we had to look at Stephen Silas' sad mug for months. And when you finally do change it, it's to this loser, KPJ? So many other positive things you could have on the homepage.

 

JJJ played center 77% of the time last year, according to Basketball Reference.

 

Because Steven Adams was injured.

 

Yep. But still, he wasn't playing PF. I just wanted to correct that part. I'm fact, for his entire career, he's been C 52% of the time.

Evan Mobley was 3rd in DPOY voting (IIRC) and he played PF slightly more than C (56% vs 44%).

But I don't think either of those guys make an argument for a full-time PF being sufficient to make up for a poor rim-protecting C. And I can't think of any other such examples.

I do agree with your prior point that this is something we shouldn't overly concern ourselves with right now. Down the road, maybe a move is needed. Yes, we will be annihilated inside, but this team isn't very good anyway. We don't need to decide Jabari or Sengun's fate right now. They should - at the VERY least - be given a year under Ime.

 

You know what would be cool to replace that with? A silhouette of Elie doing the kiss of death.

 

Official 23-24' Rockets Slogan!!!

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I don’t think the percentages matter that much, Jaren Jackson starts next to Steven Adams, Mobley starts next to Jarret Allen, they both start next to traditional centers and can both play next to Sengun which would solve our rim protector problem if it came to that. After the center sits these PFs then slide over and play the center position which is probably why their percentage at center is near 50%, point is they can play with Sengun. Myles Turner is another example although he is being used as center now, when he played next to Sabonis Indiana was a top 6 defense.

 

Very excited for the future of this team! Was at the game last night, and while it wasn't smooth due to multiple starters out, I really enjoyed seeing Ime showing passion during timeouts. Could tell he was not happy and he brings accountability, which is what this team has needed. His coaching style + added vets is going to be huge this season.

 

They should've prioritized development over the last two years, too - specifically last year. My latent fears that Tilman is too dumb to have patience may be surfacing again...

 

Agreed. There's no pass to bad drafting. Either they got it right or we are rebuilding again soon.

 

we had the the last 3 years to 'develop' guys... we squandered the time coddling the likes of the head honcho and Wood... while silas fumbled around in the dark...

this org doesnt know HOW to develop players... thats why it has to rely on the crap shoot of the lottery - and hope they get lucky...
smdh

 

Loved the Podcast! It's been such a long time since you guys had one. Didn't realize just how long it had been until you talked about it early on. I really liked the discussion the two of you had about the young players - Jabari, Jalen, Alpy, Tari, Amen, Cam and whoever I forgot. Also the new additions, and there are a lot of them. At the end, it sounded like having another podcast might be rare, @Clutch. My impression was that David was hoping you'd do more of them and you were a bit skeptical. Hope you're able to find the time to do another one now and then.

Anyway, there was one great thing you pointed out, Dave, that grabbed my attention. During I think a Spurs game, Sengun had done something wrong, likely on defense, and Coach Udoka pulled him out of the game, talked to him for just a few minutes, and then put Alpy right back in. You said that you hadn't seen Silas do that once during the last 3 years. I couldn't recall seeing him do it, either, and considering the situation the Rockets were in, it should have been a common event. Crazy!

You both pointed out how the coaching, the culture is so professional now in comparison. It's so true. There's been a huge change. We might not win as often as we'd like this season, but I'm really excited about watching our games, win or lose.

 

@Clutch Please remove KPJ's picture on the front page of the BBS? I can't stand looking at his face.

 

The future looks blindingly bright

 

Damn, that was fun to watch!

 

KPJ-Silas was a hell-hole of an era that we all like to forget
The silver lining is it could lead to the most productive years in the franchise’s future, if managed properly

 

Is it on video somewhere @Deckard ? I only get the audio portion.

DD

 

I got the whole thing. I just clicked on play. Maybe I got lucky?

 

Thanks for the podcast.

@BimaThug keeps repeating that Sengun is a negative defender...as if it were etched in stone?

Seems like Ime is pretty satisfied with Sengun's effort on that end so far.



And - obviously tiny sample size - but Sengun NOT being on the court had the biggest negative impact on our defense in the first two games:



And when you look at this play, I don't think Sengun is the actual problem with our defense.





Like last year's stats already showed, Jalen was a much worse defender.

Sengun always gave the effort. He just needs to be used correctly. I root for Jalen, but I have more doubts with him.