That is a fantastic point. If he can get more of those attempts at the rim while drawing contact, that is going to go a long way. Combined with hopefully more catch-and-shoot threes and improved focus on both ends.
Were you here when we brought KPJ from the GL, and he was doing his best Harden impersonation? Or when he was dribbling Stephen Silas out of his mind last year? The goal has always been to make KPJ dribble and isolate LESS, and stick to his real strengths. This has undoubtedly been a major battle for the coaching staff. Off-ball shooting is a strength of KPJ's, and hopefully this year, strong and decisive drives to the rim also perk up his efficiency. Harden is effective at dribbling and isolating, and he is a basketball savant. KPJ is NOT. The more KPJ dribbles, the shittier he plays statistically, and the shitter we are as a team. I believe there is a chart for this somewhere showing just how awful KPJ can be for every extra dribble he takes. Thankfully, the coaching staff realizes this fact, as proven by the multitudes of interviews with our coaches concerning KPJ's dribbling. IMO, If we are going to make a comparison that is in the best interest of the Rockets, it is important for KPJ to continue to be molded into more of a catch & shoot, knife-fighter like Vernon Maxwell, as opposed to a ball-controlling, tempo-controlling savant, ala James Harden.
KPJ just played a great game, and you’re trying to bash him bc you’re salty over Sengun playing bad lol
Incorrect. I love KPJ. I do not think we should run a KPJ-centric offense, however. I think he should be used primarily as a catch & shoot guard that plays tough defense. If he can get to the line some too, I'll be a happy guy. That said, I'd like to see JG/Jabari/Sengun get the majority of the offense. Feeding Sengun feeds everyone else by proxy.
KPJ did a damn good job getting guys involved, same with Jalen. There were many missed open 3s and bunnies at the basket.
Totally agree. Still don't think he is that guy on a championship team. When defenses lock in and the roll man is taken away, I think we need to be Princeton oriented, through a more creative player like Sengun, who has proven to be an elite isolation threat, too. I think it will only help to play to KPJ's strengths. And JG's and Jabari's for that matter.
I've been skeptical about the long-term fit of KPJ, but I'd have to say he's been looking good in the preseason. As others have pointed out, he looks much more in control and focused. I also really like the pick-and-roll chemistry he has with Bruno Fernando. I'm sure we'll be seeing quite a bit of that during the regular season as well.
I think there is a real chance that he gets some votes for most improved player this year. He will have shooters around him - that will give him spacing and open targets on drives. And he seems to mature before our eyes. I could imagine that switching out Wood for Jabari really helps him in that department. His defense was already good last season but having plus defenders with great swithcing abilities around him (and an improved Green) should help. Of course he could make me look really dumb in a couple of months and get back to his imature and inefficient self he was a year ago. But right now I would be willing to bet on his progression.
Kevin Porter Jr is nothing like James Harden. Just because Scooter will do something similar means nothing. I've never at no point thought KPJ would be a top player in the history of this game. James was special. Its really contrived to have to take the conversation THERE. You can have your own opinions no skin off my back, but when things get goofy Im going to call them out. And NO .. KPJ wont be anything like Vernon Maxwell either. Mad Max NEVER had the passing acumen and vision that KPJ has now. From your perspective Scooter is still the same player -- from mine he's taken big steps as a MAN firstly and I can see those results on the court already especially in terms of "dribbling less" the kid is out there putting his teammates in spots. Like it or not Scoot has one of the better handles in the league and he will get too flashy at times, but thats the game - entertaining and hopefully at the same time winning games. Putting the teams "shtty" play on KPJ dribbling is another self created reason to continue to dislike the guy since if his assist numbers would be higher from better shooting around him you guys would just be looking for another reason to be mad. All these comps are dumb and needless.
My two issues with KPJ…looks for his shot before initiating the office, throws his hands up in discuss and won’t get back on D when he effs up on offense. Would love to see him come off the bench where he can just cook.
Not trying to be a STAN, but I was one of the first guys there in the 1-2pm GL games rooting for this kid. Everyone diminishing him THEN with the "mehhh those triple doubles dont mean a thing its the GL" only for that same vibe to follow him into the NBA! Still you want to try and use an unfair comparison to KPJ and Harden in further bringing him down when he's doing EXACTLY what YOU want him to do in "dribbling less"! How does that make any sense?? No - I dont see Vernon Maxwell at all bro sorry. YOU may want that because you're the first guy to mention it and you know we all want to be right, but I doubt many would view that as an apples to apples. They are both extremely different players Mad Max' high water mark in assists was 5 per game - KPJ has already passed that and Max was a lifttime 32% 3 point shooter (Yes I know different league back then). One area where I would like Scooter to mimic Max would be in the defensive fire and intensity he would display, but these comps are just nonsensical and unnecessary for me. Is TyTy looking like a "pure" point? Nix? Hudgins? Are "pure" points even necessary anymore? So who do you want to run lead guard if you're going to run KPJ off ball? Jalen Green? Did you see him try to playmake last night? Cmon now.
Add that to the 84 potential points and 46 theoretical rebounds and he had one of the greatest games in basketball history.
Potential assists are actually logged by the NBA as a stat so yeah there is that. Maybe one day the markers that you jest with will also be counted and you could be the Father of Theoretical Rebounds -- that would be cool right?
Even when he does things things in the regular season it "wont matter" for some of you. I'll be here to remind you all where you stood and how far out your takes were. Get the popcorn ready.
Merely pointing out the laughable hypocrisy. When the efficiency numbers weren’t looking good for KPJ this was DDs stance : Someone posts some favorable numbers and all of a sudden it matters, even though the situation hasn’t changed.
