KPJ: Can someone explain to me why he has become Clutchfans favorite whipping boy?

Who's comparing them? Post I was referring to seemed to imply that a 'pass first' lead guard is necessary to win a ring and lately it hasnt been. Interesting how quick to arms some of you are. So you're another one of those guys who's expecting this 4 game sample to last the entire 82 games .. how refreshing.

 

Nobody is comparing them. Grasp the context.

 

Great post. Your insight resonates and I appreciate the well thought out response and pretty much all of your content here. I've been similarly inclined to think of Silas as a placeholder. Chemistry is the most difficult thing to identify and nurture. Sometimes these guys look like they've actually been putting in practice together and sometimes they look like a rec league team showing out for the hunnies on the sidelines. Its frustrating, but anyone who is a parent in here knows that patience is critical to this type of dynamic where more experienced 'mentor' type relationships exist even when some would like to believe that at age X you are immediately a man - that happens at different rates for everyone depending on the amount of trauma and setbacks we all experience. Silas seems to be a good father figure type along with Lucas the "cool" uncle. They seem to genuinely care about these players and it would be a nice fairy tale if they could somehow all manage to make it work, but this is a results driven industry and I could see some other notable coach thinking he could extract more from a team like this down the road.

KPJ has taken some steps in the right direction. Aesthetically its not ideal. Laying it at his feet when everyone else is just standing around seems like a convenient situation and thats OK we can all think how we want and engage in mutual debate and Scooter should bear that load if as he's stated he thinks of himself as a leader for this team. In my eyes there seemed to be more cohesion and chemistry last year and now trying to make room for Jabari and Tari and Alpy almost resets that which should have been expected as well. There will always be a natural rank and file among men even outside of deliberate titled professional ecospheres and I think we're just watching some young guys jostle for position and once they can learn to trust each other and put each other in positions to succeed the team will take off.

Scooter has already said that he enjoys playing off ball, but he's pretty good at getting into the restricted area and drawing fouls so if everyone is just going to stand around and take contested 3s is that really the best option? He needs to finish near the rim WAY better than he has and start to look up for open shooters once he collapses the defense which seems to be easy for him. I've seen him do all these things that appear to be difficult for him right now they are not foreign concepts he's just doing way too much. Overthinking and getting caught in bad spots. If THIS is the norm game 41 then we have a problem as by then the new guys should be assimilated and actual game plans and theory should be setting root.

Silas himself didnt seem all that thrilled with the "dancin" that KPJ does so they need to get into the lab and work out the kinks like you say because some of the issues most definitely are systemic and eerily reminiscent of the beginning of last season where Silas wanted to tinker with the lineup and played poor fitting players together far too often. There should be more intentional "plays"/offense running through Jalen and Sengun in the starting lineup. Tari should be the play creator for the 2nd unit and first guy off the bench with JC and KJM - EGO should be starting because the starters need more firepower than what Martin is giving you right now. Playing Mathews and Nix ahead of them is crazy. Is this another tank year? I was hoping not. We'll lose a bunch of games regardless, but I wasnt expecting such a confusing sub pattern and PT allocation and if you get the proper rotation set this team should look better than it has.

 

I dont think they've thrown Jalen to the side at all. He's leading the team in PPG and shot attempts. Last game I was watching how KPJ took the bulk of the reps at initiating the offense at first, then he seemingly deferred to JG in the 2nd quarter. Not sure if this is a coaching strategy or they pulled him aside and said stop being a ballhog. I also find it funny that JC gets in the doghouse for playing literally the same way that KPj plays.

I dont believe that Stone and Silas are dumb enough to look at KPj as anything more than a place holder. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because I don't think it's easy to get to where they've gotten. It makes a lot more sense to see both KPj and Tate as guys on team friendly deals that you can trade for chips or package for someone with actual serviceable ability. Neither one of them is someone that will be a relevant piece to a contender. But they can definitely be in reserve roles as offensive or defensive sparks off the bench.

 

Ok, but those same people get upset over criticism Sengun receives. His are legit as well. Gotta be fair

 

I've been too harsh on KPJ. I think a lot of fans think he's a lot better than he is, and my frustration should be with them and not KPJ. KPJ is in a hard spot in that he's been given the keys as the primary facilitator when he's on the court. The only other facilator on the team is Sengun, and the team has chosen to limit their time together.

Besides for defense and experience, an efficient facilitator is the biggest need for the Rockets, IMO. KPJ has been a lightning rod for criticism as the Rockets have decided to go all-in with him as primary faciltator this year. Maybe KPJ becomes a better facilitator, but I think he'll be a much better scorer than a facilitator going forward.

 

It’s because people want Jalen to take 30-40 shots a game it’s quite clear

 

It's because KPJ play's selfish basketball. He's a me, me, me type of player. Point guards are supposed to make everyone around them better, KPJ is only worried about himself.

 

I haven't ventured into the Sengun thread too much, but I'd agree, need to stop being so sensitive about legit criticism.

 

Great post from you too. The beginning of a season is always tough for a young or very old team. They're definitely going to get better individually, as a team and from a coaching perspective so there's a lot to look forward to.

 

What plays? LOL - I am trying to figure out if you are serious or joking?

KPJ is running the offense that SILAS has given him....do you EVER see anyone running a play? At most this is ISO heavy read and react, with little ball and body movement....there are not PLAYS to call....

Good lord, some of you are hilarious.

DD

 

KPJ isn't even a cornerstone of the future..he doesn't have a mental capacity to be so...anyone understanding the ball wouldn't even trust his game IQ.

Tunnel vision + selfish= Poor man's westbrick.

 

Yes they did, it took all season last year to get Jalen the ball. What youre looking at now is a full season of Jalen begging for the ball. Even still as I earlier said Silas said he wants KPJ to have it more. So yes by every indication they want him to be the star.

 

I didnt even use the word compare but since you went there go look up the definition of compare lol Anyway you are the one who blindly threw Steph in there without context blame yourself.

 

They want Jalen and KPJ to be a two-headed monster with the hot-hand taking the lead role. It is similar to what Atlanta and Cleveland want to do with their backcourt. It may or may not work, but it’s not all on the players. Silas has shown none of the offensive genius moniker he was given. We are going to win games with a very good defense, once the chemistry is established. Of course, that chemistry will never be accomplished if Silas doesn’t get his rotations consistent and with the right players.

 

I think you nailed it here. While there are a some who seem to really dislike KPJ the player, I think the bulk of the “debate” has consisted of people disagreeing with how good the vocal pro-KPJ crowd view him as a player currently and how good they think he can be in the future.

 

Well, no one but the org who signed him for $80million for the next 4 years, which are gonna be frustrating for you I guess.

He is a developing player hardly close to the final version, and he particularly needs to improve his vision and passing.

But he is improving right before our eyes.

DD

 

They didn't sign him for that. They signed him for $15 mil for a season.

 

Unless he screws the pooch, he will get all 4, which is looking likely, sorry Charlie!

remember they didn’t have to sign him at all.

DD

 

KPJ isnt the fav whipping boy.

One of Gary, Nix or Garuba is.