[ClutchFans] Three predictions for an important Rockets offseason

They shouldn't even consider trading him, at all. But of course, they have done tons of stupid crap before, so who knows.

 

I’ll surrender that if the team wants to play 5 out the majority of the time, Sengun is not a fit. I’m hoping the new coach will adjust the system to the personnel, not the other way around (which is way more risky). No one has ever been the Warriors, so imitating them seems really stupid to me. Who else has one with 5 out?

 

Yeah but when you say "adjust the system to the personnel" you mean "adjust the system to Sengun" while ignoring what would work best for literally everyone else. I think that's the issue here. You kind of have to decide who you are going to build around, will it be Sengun, or will it be everyone else.

Also, a MASSIVE factor here is who the Rockets land. If they win the lottery, they'll build around Wemby for sure, and that means the end of Sengun in Houston. They won't want to run Wemby, Sengun, and Smith out there together and they prioritize Smith over Sengun.

 

This year’s team has not demonstrated that 5 out is best for the team with or without Sengun. You are one of the biggest nay sayers on Green’s and Jabari’s ability to become solid 3 pt shooters. 5 out will not work if 2 or more of your main players can’t shoot. I do think that will change, but you don’t. I think your argument that we are best suited for a 5 out system is faulty. By the way, Wemby is not a good 3 point shooter, yet.

 

I've merely said that they haven't shot the 3 well, not that they can never develop into competent shooters. I know that some can't comprehend that there's a difference between stating what is and stating what will always be, but that's something I've gotten used to here.

 

HOW DARE THEY!!
WE DON'T WANT ANY OF THAT SELFLESS TEAM GAME SHIIIT!!
WE DON'T WANT WELL-DESERVED WINS!!
WE WANT TO SEE ALPI RIGHT AT THE BOTTOM WITH THIS FRANCHISE!!
PITCHFORKS TORCHES AAAGGGHHH!!​

 

I kinda agree with you DD

According to statmuse: NBA Point Guard averages are:
stat...NBA PG.......KPj 22/23.........KPj last-36 games
TOV........1.6.................3.2..........................2.8
TOV%....13.3%...........16.0%......................14.4%
Ast..........4.2................5.7...........................5.7
Ast%......25.8%...........25.8%......................25.5%
USG%....21.6%...........24.3%.......................23.8%
FG%.......44.5%...........44.2%.......................46.1%
Pts.........11.8..............19.2.........................19.2
Rebs........3.0................5.3...........................5.1
3P%........35.8%...........36.6%.......................37.5%
FT%........81.7%...........78.4%.......................80.4%
Stl............0.9.................1.5...........................1.5
Blk...........0.3.................0.2...........................0.2

NBA Point Guard averages
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=nba+point+guard+tov%+average+this+season

KPj 22/23 season
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=kevin+porter+jr.+tov%+in+22/23

KPj in last 36 games
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=kevin+porter+jr.+tov%+in+last+36+games
---------------------
Kevin Porter at age 22 and just completing only his 2nd year at PG....he is
right in the ball park of progression. When the average NBA player peaks
around are 27, I would rather the Rockets not give up on his progress.

I the offseason prediction thread for this summer I have the Rockets
bringing back Harden on a descending contract. He has been giving
the Sixers a discount at around $33M.

Back with Rockets: 1st yr ($38M), 2nd yr ($35M), 3rd yr ($33M),
4th yr ($31M Team Option)

Moving KPj to SF or the 3-spot. KPj starting but then you take him out
after 5 minutes to help platoon between the 1 and 2 spots behind
Harden/Green.

Bring in and/or trade for Cameron Johnson and Torrey Craig.
Cameron Johnson 40% (3P%).........41.8% (CnS 3's)
Torrey Craig 39% (3P%)............39.7% (Catch-n-Shoot 3's)

KPj 42.9% (CnS 3's)
James Harden 40.8% (CnS 3's)
----------------
Rockets would instantly improve their perimeter shooting

Give those that think KPj should be 6th man and those who
think KPj should be starting kinda equal satisfaction.
A compromise. And if the, "KPj is a 6th man option" are right
and KPj couldn't net a ham sandwich in trade.....multiple wings
would be ready to slide into the starter spot.
Kenyon / Cameron Johnson / Torrey Craig / jabari / (draft pick)

 

Nah, if we get Scoot he'll start and KPJ probably gets traded away to avoid the drama. They'd want to develop Henderson as quickly as possible. You don't take a player like that as a rebuilding team and bring him off the bench. This isn't me pushing for one thing or another, this is just what I think literally any organization in the NBA would do in the same circumstances. Scoot is that kind of consensus prospect. He wouldn't be blocked by anyone who wasn't already an all-star. On any team. Let alone on the Rockets with a guy who's like at the fringe of the top 150 players in the NBA.

Amen Thompson, maybe I could see them bringing him off the bench since he's going to be much more raw. I'd still get rid of KPJ and throw Amen right into the thick of things though, personally. Maybe sign a veteran backup to show him the ropes and play ~22 minutes a game. Better for his development to get more minutes and not learn bad habits playing behind Porter Jr. That one is my opinion.

 

Most likely KPJ would just move to the 3 and Henderson would start at the 1. You'd probably go with a lineup of

Smith
Tari
KPJ
Green
Henderson

 

I could see them trying KPJ at the 3, but yikes that would be a terrible defensive perimeter.

 

I mean, if you have Jalen Green in the starting lineup, you'll always struggle defensively. At least given that lineup, you'd have a really quick defense that would be able to switch everything and it's always possible that he improves eventually on that side of the ball.

That's of course why Henderson is a consolation prize for losing out on Wemby, the only real star prospect in this class.

 

I cant wait for the season to end. So tired of the status quo.

But so much depends on how the draft turns out, doubt a whole lot gets done before then, so, more waiting I suppose.
June 22nd cant come soon enough!

After that though, there may be some fireworks

 

I believe the most important change is obviously the coaching staff which affected both development and habits of youngsters badly until today.

The main expectation from the new staff should be a solid plan on how to maximize potential of current players and a good execution of that plan. Then front office can look for ways to improve the squad according to how youngsters respond and bodes with this plan through the season.

All players could be a lot different from how they look for now under a solid coach and with a well structured team.

 

It's only happened a few times, but it makes sense that it would happen more often in the future because of the volume of 3's being taken now.

Bucks and most of the time Lebron's Cavs (with Love at C to close games) were heavily reliant on 5-out. Arguably the Kings had a really bad 5-out (with Vlade shooting 27% on 3's) and were robbed of a title, were as good as anyone that season.

It's a rare skillset so that's a pretty good success rate if you ask me. It's not like 25 teams are trying this every season like with traditional lineups. We don't have to be as good at running it as the Warriors to win a championship. I think we can do everything the Kings are doing but with good defense (because of Jabari, Tari, vet additions). As long as we're in the top 10 offense and defense nothing else really matters.

I think we can achieve that but Sengun needs 1-2 more years to get his defense and body right. We'd have to be patient. My advice is we back him up with a great rim protector who can both mentor him and give us 20-25 playoff calibre minutes a night. His offensive ceiling is worth pursuing. With a 3pt shot he could generate a lot of points and assists and that can easily overcome mediocre defense. We have to keep an eye on the Wolves project where they threw KAT into the PF position because if he's going to suck at defense anyway then it's better he's not the rim protector (not saying Sengun sucks at defense). We can do something similar here but it would require Sengun to have a respectable 3pt shot.

 

well, Clutch is one for one so far. Let's see how it goes with the next two

 

Who the Worriers got?

Bogut never shot 3s, Ezeli Festus, Kevon Looney never shot 3s.....as far as I recall.

Draymond is a below 32% occasional shooter.

The 5 Out is just some idealistic approach...some idealists have.

 

KPJ needs to be the 6th Man or trade bait. This guy is a bad influence on this team and Ime Udoka is not going to play with immaturity.

 

The guy who cheated on his girlfriend with a team rep during a title run is not going to be ok about immaturity? Hahahaha

I'm sure the team will take him very seriously.

 

He'll end up 2/3. To your dismay.

That was by far the most obvious one.

 

Might be a sex addicition or a psych issue ......