Not really a "catastrophe", but yea Mobley defintiely was the correct pick and it's a decision that will be judged heavily on Stone. Jalen will be better once he has competent coaching and some vet support like Mobley does, though.
And just curious can you estimate what Mobley's efficiency and impact would be on the Rockets? Like on a team with elite guard play he scores 75% of his plays off of assists and still has a ts% less than 60%. I would expect someone who is as long as explosive as Mobley to have a much higher scoring efficiency when 75% of his makes are set up. I dare not imagine what his efficiency would be on this team.
I meant better in relation to where he is now, not vs. Mobley long term. I don't see Jalen surpassing Mobley as who you'd prefer to build a team around.
If Jalen Green scored 75% of his makes on set ups and still had a ts% under 60% I would be severely disappointed. No way someone like that can be a focal point on an offense. Alpi scores most of his buckets unassisted and still scores more efficiently than Mobley. That's sad.
I'm not estimating what his efficiency would be on the Rockets. I'm just going off the fact that Mobley's already one of the best young defensive players in the game with plus-level offense & passing ability at the center position. That's difficult to find & I'd rather have that than Jalen who has not effected the game outside of scoring much. And I say that as a Jalen fan. I like him and think he'll be very good long term.
Why wouldn't you guess? Just imagine someone who scores 25% of their makes unassisted with a scoring efficiency of 58% ts with prime Mitchel and an up and coming elite pg feeding him and now replace that with the Rockets playmakers and pg play.
My bad. I assume "build around" implies being a focal point on offense. Through my pattern recognition of following the sport that is usually the case I've noticed. Don't know many non focal points on offense who teams build around.
I wanted Mobley, but still way too early to say the Rockets made a mistake. I think Stone hedged on passing up on Mobley by trading to get Sengun, so if both Green and Sengun turn into franchise cornerstones, Stone may end up looking like a genius.
I love Mobley. I wanted the Rockets to draft him. But guys like Simmons are overrating him. He looks good because he plays on a good team next to another great big man. Put him on the Rockets and I don’t think we win any more games. I also don’t really get the “build around” argument. You build around a #1 scoring threat, not a defensive big who can’t shoot 3s.
Year 3 is the appropriate timing to pass judgement on Jalen. But yeah, if we could go back in time I’m pretty sure most rockets fans would want Mobley over Jalen. Still can’t call it a catastrophe just yet, and Bill Simmons knows better. but I guess I fall into the catagory of Stone better not have missed on that pick or he should be fired. I’m pretty sure Jalen will turn out to be a good scorer. Not sure if he’ll turn out to be a top 50 player. Mobley for sure will be one if he isn’t already. So will Giddy, etc.
I don't think a majority of rocket fans would prefer Mobley over Green even in hindsight. I know you are one of the posters here who always hated Green.