I agree, but the shot diet here paints something different. A stubborn continuation of a philosophy that just doesnt work with this team. Intentionally running sets that dont contribute to each players strengths is an exercise in futility. If Jalen is eating out of DHO's and downhill off screen plays why do they continue to try and "create" a PG? Same thing applies for Scooter. If he isnt going to be able to run PNR as a strength and nobody else on the team can do it then it just confuses the hell out of me why they keep going to that well. If we're going to actively showcase Sengun's strengths in the post which goes against everything the 41 or 5 out offense stands for, then why not also create some movement and screen action stuff for the shooters playing into strengths and not weaknesses? If Sengun is going to be the hub from the post then please for the love of everything lets get some movement. Standing still while Sengun tries to create is no different than standing still while Jalen and KPJ try to create its just maddening, but I have to reel myself in a bit and try to remember that it appears Stone/Silas punted the year before the first game. Still would be nice to see some of the things that materialized during pre-season and build on true team fundamentals.
What's really crazy to me is that the coaching staff tracks these kinds of numbers but I'm not really seeing any adjustments. If player development is a priority then why not help the player be more effective by putting them in better situations...
Jalen and Kevin look really good and have great skill sets, but not there in term of leadership. I bet thou in few years Jalen could be averaging Harden type numbers and helping the rockets win mega wins once all these old teams are out of the picture. 2-3 years from now.
This is good stuff. To play devils advocate here...maybe they're forcing him to run pnr because they feel its a necessary skill for him to develop? I think most star/superstar combo guards are very very good in the pnr, and they run it a lot. Or maybe I'm giving Silas too much credit and he's just an idiot, I dunno.
Absolutely I agree with that - Jalen DOES need to at least get comfortable handling the ball in the PNR as its a vital function of guard play in the NBA. Its in the details. Look at these guys run even the most basic PNR - either the handler loose and not rubbing close enough or the screen setter is soft and not rigid. Sengun is a little too quick to slip and slide towards the basket IMO. He should be setting bone crushing picks for his guys. After the pick plays tend to break down because the guards have been instructed to look for lobs with the roller which only happens when Bruno is in there and they get stuck in no mans land where they attempt ugly floaters or dump off to guys who arent ready for the ball and have started their box out for the shot they expect will be taken. More pick and pop with Jabari. More pick and high post initiation with SEngun. More DHO with back screens for the guards to attack the basket. We have good/great shooters on the team regardless of current stats, but when do you see actual off ball movement to get some easy shots? There is no intent in looking for corner shooters even when most think that its a point guard problem and yet NOBODY on the team is finding those shooters. Its just a bland and off putting vanilla type of basketball and even then these guys cant run it right without turning it over half the time.
A lot of this is due to young players just not being certain in their actions and being unsure of what comes next. In a sport like professional basketball, those milliseconds of uncertainty compared to a veteran who is confident and certain about their next action makes all the difference in getting to the spot you want before your defender. That is why most of the screens are set half assed and why someone like Green hesitates and allows defenses to read and react in time. Young players think too much. I don't know if you play things like multiplayer shooters but players who are in a rhythm and confident in all their movements and aren't thinking about aiming where aiming feels more like muscle memory than thinking are just going to dominate players who are hesitant and always unsure of their next move. Repetition with a competent coach will alleviate this in time hopefully but we might be missing the competent coach part.
I've missed the last 4 or 5 games, but every game I've seen this season has shown improvements from Green. But, looking at the stats he played pretty horrible those 4 or 5 games. Still a massive believer in Green
Great game tonight from Jalen. Was much more decisive with the ball and even mixed in a few mid-range shots. Once this kid is able to do this consistently he is going to terrorize the league. P.S. Defense tonight was excellent... that block on Harris though!!
There was a play against the Magic today that I don't see anyone talking about where Jalen drew a foul and damn near jumped over the defender while switching hands. I've been watching the NBA a long time, but I can count the number of players I've seen with Jalen's special athleticism on one hand...maybe even one finger. His speed/burst/vertical/coordination is just wild
As he gets stronger, improves his bag and realizes these guys can't truly stay in front of him or guard him, he'll start creating space at will, capitalizing opportunities and terrorizing opponents. It will be like Bruce Leroy realizing who he is.
