We should put the ‘franchise player’ debate out to pasture and instead think in terms of power rankings. This will be fluid throughout the year(s) but The Chop Shop has a pretty reasonable starting point for the debate: 6) Eason 5) Whitmore 4) Sengun 3) Green 2) Smith, Jr. 1) Thompson
Cam could rise to 3 based on his defense. Tari's issue is offense and Alpy/Jalen is defense. Cam doesn't have huge issues on either side of the ball. Just needs coaching and tweaks. 1 and 2 are easy.
Feels good to even have a list. I think there needs to be two lists though. Highest Floor 1.) Eason 2.) Sengun 3.) Thompson 4.) Green 5.) Whitmore 6.) Jabari Highest Ceiling 1.) Thompson 2.) Jabari 3.) Sengun 4.) Green 5.) Whitmore 6.) Eason Either way its nice to actually have talent on the team now.
When it comes to the under 23 guys on the team, as far as ceilings go, this is probably pretty accurate, though I'd switch Sengun and Green. It's too early to know about Whitmore, he could certainly climb the list
Hate the upside talk without discussing the chances of things happening. number 1 draftees go totally bust, even if they were considered to have the highest upside. Also, It is always a guy who hasn't played a single nba game that has the highest potential, because you tend to undervalue the shortcomings, or imagine that they would be fixed somewhat easily. Excluding the new guys: Tier 1: Jalen, Sengun Tier 2: Jabari Tier 3: Eason Projecting Amen to go into tier 1. Whitmore and KPJ wildly unknown, and have too much variance to say anything.
These rankings are meaningless at this time. We will know a lot more about personnel once the new coaching staff works with them a few months and they have a half season of playing together. The current Rockets do look like a talented group and I am excited about the prospects for the team. It has been a disappointing stretch.
Just listened to it and agree with a lot of Franks takes… I would switch Sengun up a spot but this is all nit picking at this point. I like the two way potential for a lot of our young guys and it will be fun to watch them develop
I shared in another thread it was a pretty solid take. I would change a few things and think differently on a few points like who impacts winning and have Tari high on that list, but good overall based on pure upside. But 'That's why they play the games', we'll see who becomes what and leads the team to wins the next 3-4 seasons. I'd say during Amen and Cam's four-year rookie contract window years, the rubber will meet the road for an idea of these young players' development longer term into stars/a winning team, excited to watch them grow.
It’s a better way to debate and less divisive than declaring ‘X’ or ‘Y’ is the franchise player. That mindset supports Tribalism where I need to slander another player to defend my favorite guy. Frank’s take is a pretty solid starting point but could be completely shuffled by the all star break.
Highest Floor 1.) Bari 2.) Green 3.) Sengun 4.) Tari 5.) Amen 6.) Whitmore Highest Ceiling 1.) Green 2.) Sengun 3.) Bari 4.) Whitmore 5.) Amen 6.) Tari
I said in a different post that I agree with this assessment but I do think KPJ needs to be in there. People tend to forget him because he wasnt drafted by the Rockets and I think on this particular Podscast Frank said of the "DRAFTED PLAYERS". However, of all players on the team, I would put my list as; 7) Tari - better Ariza 6) Sengun - elite vision but dont know if he can ever be #1 option 5) KPJ - limited athletically but can do it all 4) Whitmore - ONLY 19? Athletic, shot, defense 3) Green - Elite scorer, ability to be #1 option and athletic, waiting on the defense 2) Jabari - ability to be elite on both off and def 1) Thompson - ability to effect the game in multiple was. Elte vision, athletic, just need time
A nonshooter at the top? Which top pg in the league can't shoot? If he is not capable of fixing his broken form he doesn't have any upside. As of now he's at the 6th spot.
