Technically the fact that Paolo has displayed playmaking skills is a check in the box for a big. That in itself makes him an upgrade to Wood and to the team. All 3 bigs will be an upgrade to CW.
At some point winning will matter more than tanking lol. Chet seemingly always has a + plus/minus. He was 4th in the ncaa in win share/40 minutes this year. Keegan Murray, Oscar Tshiebwen, Tari Eason, then Chet. First in DRtg. 8th in block %, etc. Not "as great" offensively as maybe Paolo, but more efficient. His 31.5 PER (which is more of an offensive stat than defensive) is top 10. I'll be happy and hopeful with whomever they take, but i lean fairly strongly Chet at this point, ESPECIALLY for this team. That's not a fit over talent argument per-se. But if this was last year, I might... and i stress might, be leaning more Paolo. And again, Paolo can still be great and fit. But on this team, Chet seems like the perfect fit next to JG and Alpi specifically, and with KML and Tate, etc. With Alpi, its similar to what he had with Timme, but Alpi is better and a better defender. They can start in the frontcourt and not have to worry defensively or height wise. Paolo + Alpi frontcourt is, frankly, probably below average in those areas. Both capable defensively but limited in ways that Chet isn't. Of course Chet has limitations, too. Embiid, Jonas, Adams - the BIG guys will bruise him up, but they'll do that to Paolo for sure, and already do that to Alpi. I don't think i need to explain it more... Chet is clearly WAY better defensively. But even offensively, a better floor spacer, a better ball mover - not necessarily a better creator, but a guy that can just play in the confines of any offense and get his or move it along. Again, this doesn't mean you take that over talent. Scrubs can "pass it along" too, lol. Just on a personal level, I've seen lots of iso bball in HOU the last decade. When KPJ iso's, good or bad, its horrific to watch imo. JG and Alpi both have "some" iso in their games. CWood has way too much, obviously. Paolo and even Jabari to an extent strike me as too iso at times. Its weird to say that juxtaposed with "don't you want a guy who is THE GUY at the top of the draft?!?". And the answer is absolutely yes.... BUT, I think Chet can do that as well. As great as he's been defensively, the most exciting thing about him is his ceiling being the highest is because he does have that iso wing, paint post up, put back, roll and slam, etc. capabilities offensively are off the chart. His demeanor strikes me as Tim Duncan esque. On a team with Jalen and Alpi already, I think that's a great fit.
I say screw it. We need to draft size with our top pick and then use our Nets pick to draft Shaedon Sharpe.
I really like his game but not as a top 3 pick. I would take a big over him like Chet or even Paolo. After seeing Smith take a hit in the tournament I'm not sold on him the guy Houston needs. As much as I wouldn't mind KPJ being gone I don't think Ivey taking his place is as huge of an upgrade. I would absolutely love Ivey and Chet if possible. Some Nets #1 picks going out I'm sure.
First half was rocky for Ivey and for us Ivey agenda pushers. This is why I push back against the people saying his upside is higher than Jalen Green’s. Can he be better then Jalen, it’s possible, but although he has Jalen on physical attributes such as wingspan and hand size, Jalen can eventually close the gap a bit over the years in physical strength. While both are fast, Jalen’s top end speed is superior as is his footwork, quickness, agility and balance. All those easily go to Jalen Green. Jalen Greens feet, agility, and dexterity are not talked about nearly enough because of his highlight dunking ability. If only his hands were a little bigger. Jaden Ivey right now is a threes and layups guy (Morey wet dream) while Green is a three level threat. Ivey struggled to get the shots he wanted 1st half with a clogged paint and doesn’t really have Green’s ability to create space and kill you in the midrange. Not yet anyways. They really aren the same kind of player although both are very exciting to watch. Let’s see how he adjusts 2nd half. I love the way this team is defending him and frustrating him.
lol.. now we're swinging away from Ivey after a half... Can't wait to see if we swing back the other way if he has a good 2nd half.
Good post. Is Silas the guy for the next rookie? why is Ivey the worst fit? I personally just love Jabari Smiths game.
Exactly! Watching him last night with a couple friends and everyone kept say that #5 is huge. He is the same size a Williams. But we want to talk about defensive Matt Bonner(Jabari) or Jalen Green lite(Ivey). Paolo or Chet at the top! And make sure we get Liddel/Sochan.
From what I've seen, which isn't THAT much admittedly, I see him as having the same strengths and weaknesses of Jalen Green, meaning he wouldn't add anything to the current team, he'd just be another version of something we already have.....possibly a lesser version. The team needs size, not quickness, athleticism, and transition scoring, it already has that. That's why I personally put Chet, Jabari Smith, and Banchero all over Ivey when it comes to the Rockets. If the Rockets get the 4th pick and those 3 are gone, fine, you don't pass up talent when you don't have better options, but I'd much prefer one of those 3.
Lol. Nah, I want to draft bigs with both picks. Get a young vet point guard in free agency, Jalen Brunson.
