I haven’t really seen anyone point out that for at least the next 2 years Amen, KPJ, and Tari will be the guaranteed second unit off the bench until FVV contract runs up and we decide to bench Brooks I think these 3 off the bench will be what makes Houston a wild card and possible playoff push If Ime, FVV, and Brooks can turn Jalen, Jabari, and Sengun into a winning starting unit. I think Amen, KPJ, and Tari off the bench will be what pushes us over the tipping point
KPJ is the biggest wild card to me. If he embraces his role off the bench and leaves some of his bad habits behind, this team can take a significant jump next year. The talent is there with KPJ for sure.
If KPJ act right, because he never started on the bench….on any level. We are missing a shot blocker starting on the bench not Landham
KPJ wasn’t a starter in Cleveland and only started 3 games his rookie year. I think KPJ is just grateful to be in the league with a new contract. The contract he agreed to suggests this as there were prob few suitors at the time.
OP has a good point--our bench last season was mostly (aside from Tari) comprised of players who would have been third-stringers on a good team. Adding FVV pushes KPJ to the bench, and adding Amen gives the bench a real point guard so KPJ can play his ideal role in the NBA which is as a scorer. Don't sleep on Landale either, he's a clear upgrade over Garuba for backup center and is at least a solid-average bench big. I don't know if we're going to have a great bench, that will largely depend on how player development goes and how KPJ responds to his new role. But it should at least be a major improvement over what we had.
My guess is they ultimately land the defensive, rim running big they have big targeting, as the long term starting center, while Sengun runs then bench unit.
Yes but unfortunately/fortunately FVV and Brooks will force them off the bench with KPJ Our bench could actually be one of our greatest strengths next season
Possible this ends up happening at the trade deadline if Sengun doesn't live up to expectations. I hope they will at least give him until the deadline to start and get plenty of touches. FVV is a great fit to bring up the ball/initiate while allowing Sengun to handle the ball in many/most half-court plays, similar to the Murray/Jokic dynamic. If we can test it out for a good chunk of the season, we'll be able to put this question to rest once and for all. In the end, Sengun will either prove his boosters correct or he will end up being a bench player.
When you look at our projected starting 5 for 2023/24 vs the top teams, we really don't come close. No way we should expect to at this point. But when you compare our 2nd unit (bench) vs other teams, especially those top heavy ones like the Suns, Mavs, Lakers, ect..., we might seriously make them suffer when they start substituting.
I believe he is competing for touches in the starting unit. Give him the keys to the bench and let him hub. Should be all the opportunity he needs.
If you consider them a 2, 3, 4 those three are probably better than the "starters" with Amen being the wild card.
