Horrible core? Thats your own opinion on the matter. I respectfully disagree no big deal. All ball dominant? Green has been much more consistent as of late and moving great without the ball, getting transition buckets and playing spot up shooter more and more he lags behind in touches per game on his own team and among rookies in general. His last game was probably his highest volume game yet. Sengun ball dominant? Dude barely gets time and when he does he looks fantastic next to Green. Banchero plays with 4 other 5 star players on a team with multiple guys who have 3+ assists per game sharing the ball. If the Rockets find themselves losing out on the top 3 this year they should lock in on any combination of Murray, Griffin, Sochan, Eason, with their two picks - who would be the next best front court guys IMO. I think Stone loaded up on his wings last draft and then added Mathews and Nix during season BPA would just prolong this process if it involves another guard. This team needs size in the worst way and whoever is picked among the top 3 has absolutely no relevance to Green or Sengun as foundational pieces. Not sure why combining Mobley with Banchero is better than Sengun and Banchero who can both operate as initiators and dont need another player to set them up for shots and spots instead being able to do that for their teammates? Jabaris shooting? Chets defense? Paolos versatility? Hopefully the Rockets get a chance to add one of those guys. Its all just about preference (armchair GMs notwithstanding) I think you could tailor a winning culture and vision with any of them. Ivey is a great player too. What do you do trade KPJ or move him to 3? Is the JC experience over? Nix was a highly rated prospect himself. Is Ivey a traditional PG? I wouldnt say so - so then you have another combo guard alongside Green. Is Gordon gone for sure next year? It just gets muddled. I understand this team sucks and needs talent everywhere, but if you can check off fit and talent you have to do it vs just adding to the glut of wings. I can see taking Griffin and moving Tate too, but then you're still small AF and have to divvy out time to 7 different wings and see who sticks while trying to find size in the frontcourt that can compliment Sengun which is always harder to do than finding decent wing players in the NBA.
I respect that, but being efficient offensively is not always the same are we talking 1 or 2nd option efficiency or having most of your offense set up by other people. I think Few is doing Holmgren and his team a disservice by not running any plays for him against higher level teams, he will be an easy check. Just like Smith I would like to see him do more off the dribble but unlike Smith I know he has a handle.
I am not going to take the bait anymore, I realize he is just all out trolling now. My bad for getting caught up.
I like Banchero and defense and efficiency certainly matters, I don't understand the narrative that Banchero is bad at either of those things, and banchero is asked to do more than any of these prospects besides Ivey so efficiency should be looked at in context. Why is it so hard to understand nobody should care how any of these guys fit with this current squad because as of now nobody has cemented themselves as cornerstones. The fact that you think anybody that likes Banchero as a prospect is a nuthugger speaks volumes. Nobody knows who will be the guy from this draft, so yeah there are huge questions with all of these guys.
I would be happy with any one of Banchero, Holmgren, or Smith. We need talent, and our roster is far from complete. They all have pros & cons: Jabari has risen to the top of my list; elite scorer in a scorer's league, with legit defensive ability I'm afraid Holmgren's frailty puts him at risk for one single career ending injury from a simple rolled up leg in a scrum, but his skills are pretty enticing otherwise Banchero will be a solid all star for the next 15 years, not sure if he is a cornerstone
My biggest concern with Jabari is that he seems 1 dimensional as hell. Elite defenses take away the thing you like to do best and make you do something else. He doesn't really put the ball on the floor so what will he do when he gets pressed? Banchero and Holmgren seem to have more going for them when it comes to versatility. Is he supposed to be like a baby Durant? Can just elevate and get his shot off no matter what?
No offense but you are all over the place. The reason Banchero is better next to players like Mobley (or Jabari or Chet) is because Mobley does not need to dominate the ball to impact the game. Both Green and Sengun are at their best when offense goes through them, just like Banchero. And spacing matters. Both Banchero and Sengun are at their best closer to the rim, neither are as impactful on the perimeter. And finally, Banchero is not an elite defender so he needs as many elite defenders, preferably long switchable 3-D types, around him. Ergo, Mobley. Or Jabari. Or Chet. Even Ivey and Griffin.
What are you confused about? "im all over the place"?? I think I've offered a pretty level and moderate take on why I feel the way I feel and my personal opinion Im not pushing anything as fact and providing links and sources to some of the data and information. Im not just using ego to blurt out "just becuz" ramblings. Im doing a ton of research. Reading as many different perspectives as I can and value them all. Basically what you are saying is "anyone but Banchero" and I disagree with your assessment of him as a player and what you personally view as best for the Rockets - sorry if that offends you. I don’t think you’ve watched enough Banchero, but that’s ok. He is most definitely more than a post player and while his defense is not elite, he's not a liability like you try to paint him. He's as good as Jabari in that department. Spacing with him on team would only allow the 5 out to run better as he can initiate next to Sengun and they can share that role instead of just having a guy waiting to shoot jumpers from the playmaking of others. Is Paolo now clogging the paint or something? Strange comment on spacing and what he brings to the table almost like an intentional erroneous observation just to argue. I dont share a pessimistic view of Sengun on defense either. I think a tandem of Sengun and Banchero are smart enough and cerebral with the game to the point they could coexist and help each other in that department. Sengun does flourish in the post moreso than Paolo, and Paolo has plenty of reps feeding the post and playing with a guy like that. Jalen is at his best when not tasked with setting up the offense. He is a bonafide scorer. “Running the offense through him” is definitely not what is happening. Not lagging in touches the way he does. Jalen is just being awesome and efficient lately. He's playing within the flow and not forcing anything. I want to add more guys like him. I'd prefer Jabari over Chet, but I can live with a guy like Chet on the court. Just means Jalen would need to score closer to 30 a game with a defensive specialist occupying so many minutes on a championship caliber roster, but thats fine by me too - Jalen can do it. Im fine with Ivey or Griffin. Jalen would still be the alpha and you need guys who can create for themselves as both of those guys can do. Kind of what my point has been with accumulating those types of players, only that I would rather have a guy that can do all that in a 6'10 250 lb frame without all the shuffling needed with the current assortment of wings. Im fine with cutting Mathews, Tate, KPJ, JC to make room though. Maybe the Rockets luck out on a frontcourt guy that falls into the Nets pick. I dont proclaim to say that there is only one way to make things work.
I watch Duke a lot. And there is no way that Banchero is as switchable as Jabari. No way. And Chet is hands down the better defender and more efficient offensive player. Everyone just assumes athletic players will be able to turn on a switch and transform themselves into even better defenders than they were in lower ranks. This is exactly why so many on CF underestimated and got Mobley so wrong because they are too fixated with flashy offense and highlights. Mobley is an elite defender. Not just because he can switch 1-5 and not foul while playing sticky defense at 7 feet tall. Mobley allows 0.68 per possession on isolated attempts - this is DPOY level. Mobley is also the most efficient rim protector in NBA. Teams averaging 55% at rim vs Mobley - that is better than even Goebert and Turner, the previous best rim protectors in NBA. Mobley's combination of unique length, explosiveness, fluidity, discipline and IQ make him a generational talent. And we haven't even touched on his offensive abilities and upside in that area. And when I say Banchero is at his best closer to rim it does NOT mean he is strictly a post player. Banchero's TS% and FG% declines the further away he is from basket, this is a FACT. And anyone who watches knows that Banchero has a suboptimal 3P%. At 33% 3P Banchero is nowhere the sniper of either Chet or Jabari. Not even close. And Ball dominant simply means a player is at their best when ball is in their hands. Think USG%. It should be to no one's surprise that Jalen has been so successful these last 8 games since his usage jumped up to 22% (5th among all rookies). Banchero, Green and Sengun require high usage rate to maximize their effectiveness. Neither one of these guys is at their best off ball or waiting for catch and shoot opportunities. This simple fact should not be illuminating to anyone. And any NBA fan can agree that neither Banchero, Green or Sengun are true 2 way players even if they are capable of average to above average defense from time to time. Finally, effort does not equal ability. Give me the proven elite 2 way player. Whether elite shooter. Elite defender. Elite playmaker.
Banchero provides more points produced in his role with Duke than either Jabari or Chet. He is also aware of his limitations from the arc as evidenced by his 3PAr of only 25% of his shots coming from that department. You're making some assumptions that dont add up and hiding behind "anybody who watches" quips. NO . not everyone who watches and in particular those guys who get paid to analyze mesh with what you are trying to put forth as "fact". Saying he's an inferior 3pt shooter is about the extent of an argument that you can make - even then 33% from deep is "average" not some liability and is better than even your boy Mobleys college season. Jalen Green is 3rd in usage on this team and he's doing just fine. So is Sengun. I guess the assumption will be that at some point he will lead the team in usage and then become "ball dominant" ??? I guess. He moves great without the ball and has developed a nice rapport with Sengun. How can these guys coexist if what you are saying is true? That ball dominant guys cant live harmoniously on the same court? I also dont view Sengun as such a poor defender for his natural role at the 5 as you do. Defense is a team concept and no one player is going to change the culture here without a systemic overhaul. Also in case you didnt know, we have a pretty crappy offense too. Spot up shooters wont change that either. Funny to hear things like "it should come as no surprise Jalen is doing better" based simply on usage. Very narrow interpretation there. A college coach that is on Reddit posted the Synergy numbers for Paolo both offense and defense here you go: . For grins and giggles these are Griffins defensive Synergy numbers: Take that how you want to take it. I dont pay for a synergy account for access to their data so I will try to see if I can round up the other two guys in question for comparisons sake so we can see just how much better Jabari is on defense and how much better Chet is on offense in comparing to Paolo - something tells me everyone is in for a surprise. Im ecstatic with Jalen Green and dont spend my life dwelling in regret. Mobley might be DPOY one day in your opinion, butit wont be this year. This is the latest DPOY ladder that I could find. https://www.nba.com/news/defensive-player-ladder-february-2022-edition. I could even say that Jalen Green will one day be MVP.- we're just spitballing anyways right? Jalen is proving with the way he's closing the season that most of you who clowned him and tried to break him down were dead wrong and all for what? To feel "right" about a player on another team? To feel like your own subjective opinion deserves more merit than the guy who gets paid to make those decisions for the Rockets? That amount of self importance is truly what is surprising to me.
2nd half of this game is a completely different story for banchero. playing like absolute trash other than making some easy passes off of double teams that unc shouldn't even be doing. and hate how he didn't even try to contest on that transition bucket and just loafed back when it was just a small going to the rack.. could've easily been a chase down block. at least jalen green shows effort and intensity on the defensive end, even if he doesn't have the best instincts.. banchero doesn't even try on defense....
Both of those Auburn kids would add a lot to this squad next year, and for years to come. Banchero shows flashes, but he surely wilted in the second half tonight. He'd better have a tournament, or he's flirting with green room embarrassment.
he does show some flashes on the offensive end but at the same time, if he is having this much trouble finishing and getting separation at the college level, i don't see how he's going to be any sort of an efficient scorer at the nba level. someone might argue that doncic is slow and unathletic too... but doncic plays really heady and has high iq, and he's also more athletic in terms of being able to decelerate at an elite level. banchero has nowhere near the cerebral game that above average nba level playmakers have. but i don't even mind his offensive limitations. his defense just pisses you off every time you watch him play. if anyone actually watched this game, unc decided to use banchero's man to pick and switch him onto unc's lead guard every posession from like 5-6 mins left in the game... and he was getting burned every time. they knew he was duke's weakest link on defense...
"The list of drafted bigs since 2008 with a BLK% above eight and 3pt% above 36 on at least six attempts per 100 possessions is as follows: Jaren Jackson Jr. and Alec Brown. Brown didn’t stick for a multitude of reasons that are irrelevant to this query. And Chet is currently making threes at 4% points better than JJJ, while being well on pace to surpass him in volume. It isn’t hyperbolic to say that we’re witnessing a special prospect shooting profile – when you take into account the level of defender he currently is. This skill itself could be game-breaking for Chet and his team schematically, straining the defense without giving it right back on the other end."
Chet is the prize in this draft. Love Jabari, but Chet would make the future of this squad extremely bright. There's not a lineup that you couldn't play him in. One thing I noticed about Chet bringing the ball up vs Wood is that Chet beings it up in a hurry vs slinking up the court. And then he makes a quick decision to either pass, drive or shoot. There's not much stagnation. And I have no doubt he will hit Green or anyone else streaking wide open up court out ahead of him.
