Did they take any team pictures? I want to see how tall Sengun is now vs Jabari, Eason, etc. Want to see this new tall team with the majority of the team at 6'7" and taller.
Of all the Matt Thomas interviews Jalen stood out as being a little cocky lol, not sure how I feel about that. Like he comes off as thinking everything's gonna be automatically way easier this season? He clearly worked out a lot this offseason so hopefully I'm reading too much into it.
Kid just came off year 2 averaging 22 per game. He has reason to be confident. He probably flirts with 25ppg this season on his way to a perennial 30 point scorer.
Oh for sure. Scoring is never gonna be an issue with him. What will make him a top 10 player one day is how well he does the other things.
Veteran presence will help Jalen the most. Udoka hopefully wont let him slack off on defense without an earful. Same worries that exist for Jalen are still there for the other young guys if top 10 players are what we are hoping for. Will Jabari redeem himself as an elite shooting talent and defender from the jump this year? Will Sengun be a viable outside shooter and first line defender? The rookies obviously will be given some leeway (hopefully) especially since they wont need to be showcased on a tanking team and can get in where they fit in until they can pull the cart themselves in the future. It feels like it could come together rather quickly with the blend of players on this team. Im trying not to blurt out 41 wins, but Im going to blurt out 41 wins. Tired of being a glum and downtrodden fan. I really think this team begins its ascent this season.
i thought of all of them Matt Thomas is the one that came off cocky. Beyond the fact that all the questions were very generic and boring for the most part, Matt seemed to present them in a somewhat unprofessional manner. and with Jalen in particular… I get it, it’s funny to make fun of the grown man that can’t grow a beard yet… but ffs, one joke is enough.
Sengun's head is the closest to the top border of the picture.... Clearly he is taller and the tallest Rocket...
Thoughts are there’s no way in hell whitmore is ahead of Tate to start the year. Hopefully he proves himself after allstar break.
Tate is going to shine under Udoka thou, he is the type of player coach's love because of his high motor and all around skill. Tate was never a good fit under Silas or the rebuilding Rockets. He was a perfect fit for a contender or a good team that needed that dog when the game was close, Tate is going to get tons of minutes... Cam is going to see limited minutes unfortunately...
Yeah I have no problem with it. Tate is a winning player and the hate he gets from some fans is weird. Obviously I’m rooting for cam to beat out bullock or Tate though since he has much higher upside, just saying bradeux is delusional if he thinks cam is playing over either to start the year.
Overall I am modestly optimistic. feeling better than the last two Media Days. Before, it was a bit of a "inmates running the asylum" sitch, all the talk how this was #3 and #4 team, "the backcourt of the future" BS... and then you had guys like Christopher who was also very active and outspoken... it was clear whose team it was, and the veterans like Ego and Tate were there just collecting checks and shaking their heads. Now, this is Dillon's and Fred's team: a couple of solid pros. Then, the Aussie is pretty outspoken, no-BS type of guy, I like that. Then, you have Uncle Jeff, the Holiday, Reggie Bullock... Tate seems to be coming out of his coma... It's a lot more serious team. And then you have Udoka, who also looks serious. I feel that even if there is some impulse from the brass to meddle again and to force playing time for trash players "for development", I just don't see how it is going to work out. I don't see Udoka keeping trash youngsters on the floor AND Fred and Dillon going along with it, AND the Aussie keeping his mouth shut, when there is no boxing out and no fighting through screens, and no getting back on D, etc... It's a different feel altogether, more of an NBA team.
If Cam is beating out Tate or Bullock for minutes then we are in really good shape for the future. Except its not going to happen, just because Cam needs the ball. In summer league he showed tons of tunnel vision and that's just not where the Rockets are at right now, unless Cam has insane maturity and starts to play team ball I doubt he gets much time. Cam is going to be that guy we all want to play more minutes because every time he gets in he will be instant offense but Udoka will prioritize other things like defense and playmaking.
I thought media day went well after watching all the interviews. I'd actually say the only person who did badly was Stone, who looked terrified the majority of the time and not confident. Everybody's saying the right things, let's see the follow through now. Also great seeing Sengun in interviews coming along with his English, nice to see the personality more directly than by-proxy. Deffo came away feeling good about the season. Seriously can't wait.
Had them at an optimistic 42 before the Porter ish, then figured there would be a drop, but with the Bullock signing.... And training camp enthusiasm..... 100% agree.
