‘We’re’ projecting this from a player who is youngyoungyoung. ‘We’re’ projecting this from a player who certainly appears motivated to learn his craft, hone his skills. ‘We’re’ projecting this from a front court player where historically bigs grow into their games at a snail’s pace compared to smalls. I will be on the fence about upside while rooting hard for this gent for at least two more years. And hopefully by then, age 22 year, we will begin to see the growth into a Top Ten NBA big.
He certainly is highly skilled in how to entrench himself for decade plus while producing mediocre results.
Apparently Abdelfattah is balking at Tilman requiring that he work a shift over the weekend waiting tables at The Rainforest Cafe. Abdelfattah thinks it is insane that he have to work in a restaurant owned by Tilman, and Tilman told him that other candidates coaching in the Big Three League are willing to do it if they are hired as a Rockets assistant. An Houston Community College strength coach also said he would work a double **** at Longhorn Steak House if he gets the job.
I know you put a lot of caveats in this, but I’m pretty sure you are projecting your personal feelings on Sengun’s worth onto the Rockets FO. I think they might have to think hard for a pick in the top 5 or 7 if they think Sharpe has a chance as a superstar, but no way they would trade Sengun and 17 to move up for what you can get at 9. All fans overrate guys before the draft. Eason has gotten a lot of attention, but I think it is quite uncertain how he rates across the league. Last year I wanted to trade down to get Barnes and Sengun, because many prognosticators on this board and on social media were claiming he was a top 7-10 pick. Stone liked him a lot and spent 2 FRP’s to move up. I don’t think he disappointed at all for a 19 year old that wasn’t really given much of a chance for 3 quarters of the season. If he is working hard to build up his upper body and core this off-season I think there is little chance he gets traded for an unknown commodity in the 9-12 range, much less adding the 17th pick to do so.
I don't know how the front office views Sengun at this point, I only know what I was told at around the mid point of last season and it was overall positive with some concerns. I am sorry, I thought I made that clear. Where or what they may or may not do with Sengun is just my opinion. I know that a few weeks ago they wanted to trade up from 17 but they also have spoken to some teams about trading down a few spots for multiple picks, so my conclusion is that they are open minded. I personally think that they would trade Sengun to move up in the draft to get a player that they really like and would fit well with Banchero. Having said that, I haven't had anyone tell me that the Rockets are trading Sengun. Which isn't surprising, because I have been repeatedly told the Rockets haven't reached a conclusion on who they want or will take at #3 yet, that they discussed it all as a formal group for the first time recently. Sengun I think will be a flawed but pretty good player and well worth where they took him in the draft. I just don't think he fits well defensively with Banchero. The Rockets gave up pretty weak #1 picks to OKC to get Sengun, it was a good deal for Stone. The cost of trading up from 17 to 9 in a draft is usually fairly steep. You may well be right though, time will tell.... they are just my opinions, and I have been wrong before.
Last year's draft was epic. 2022 is a far cry from that. We're talking about a guy that we traded two firsts for (who will easily be a top 10 player in that draft)...then #17....all for #9 in THIS year's draft?
When I look at him, I see a nineteen year old who performed quite well in the NBA. Nineteen. It feels like people forget how young Sengun is, especially since big men typically take longer to develop. As such, I don't understand either side of the coin -- I don't understand people who say he WILL be a star, and those who say he WON'T. Same thing when it comes to the declaration that he won't fit next to XYZ players. Player A at age 20: 22 minutes per game, 10 points, 2.4 assists, 7 rebounds. Player B at age 19: 21 minutes per game, 10 points, 2.6 assists, 5.5 rebounds. Player B is Sengun. Player A is Jokic.
It's interesting you bought this up. Was chatting with Kings fans few days ago, threw up an open ended question, that if Paolo/3rd pick for their 4th + goodies; what would they add? Some don't want to go up for Paolo, was happy with Ivey. Didn't want to pay to move up. One person was willing with next year King's pick but top 3 protected. (they want Wemby too I guess ). I wasn't in love with the offer because of the protection but next year is supposed to have more wings. Curious, is top 3 protection too much?
The whole thing about drafting talent over fit with where we are is when we finally start getting talent worth building around we can start thinking about fit. The beauty of having talent even if it doesn't fit is you can still turn that value into quality fit. I'm under the keep Sengun for the year and gather more information camp, but I think it's worth discussing this: If we believe Green and Banchero is worth building around and there's a player in this draft with a high upside as a player that complements them much better than Sengun would... should we trade up to get him? Example: should we consider Sengun for Eason? Maybe Duren for Sengun? Murray for Sengun? Is having a starting player that covers the weaknesses of our potential stars worth more than having Sengun who would likely play as 6th man with a Green/Banchero lineup. I understand some will completely disagree with that notion and I respect their opinion too. There's a lot of assumptions being discussed in these hypotheticals... At the very least, it's worth discussing. I'm not advocating a Sengun trade btw
If I'm Stone. I won't trade down. Don't overthink. Just pick whoever is available from the top 3. Hope to get Henderson next year. Just like last year. I like Mobley more than Green, but people convinced me there is more big man this year so better to go for Green last year. Next year there isn't much big man.
You answered your own question ..... Why can't they play together? They can ..... But that team will be ass. They will struggle defensively as neither of them is going to be much of a paint defender / rim protector to discourage guard penetration. If you know the result of an action is going to be negative - why do it?
I see a player that did very well at 19 years old as well. I am not sure what you or others expect from him. Do you expect him to be a multiple time all star or super star? Because I don't see that. I see a player that will be a long term player in the league that will be at or near a starter level. He had a good rookie season, and he is 19 but his limitations are his limitations. As far as him fitting next to a player, nothing is certain..... but a starting frontline of Sengun and Banchero at the 4/5 doesn't sound strong at all on the defensive side of the equation, and if you want to win a title, you better be able to defend at a high level. Also pointing to one of the most extreme outliers in NBA history (Jokic) to prove a point doesn't really prove anything. If the Rockets coaching staff believes that a frontline long term of Sengun at the 5 and Banchero at the 4 will win a championship, then I will defer to them, as they do this as a living - but I am very skeptical. Holmgren and Sengun could likely work..... I don't see it working with Banchero.
