I generally agree, though I could see a scenario where Brooks ends up a long-term fixture of our core. I mean, he’s only 27 and a great fit next to Sengun and Smith.
Meh, I disagree. Is Aaron Gordon a "core" piece of the Nuggets? I'd say yes. Is Draymond Green a "core" piece for the Warriors, or is he just a really good role player? I think there's a pretty good chance Brooks lands on his second all-defense team, AND he's been great on offense. He absolutely could be a top 4 core piece to a championship team IMO.
Ariza was a really good role player that glued that CP3/Harden team together. Brooks is part of the core just like Draymond was in GSW.
Clutch got the idea right, just the player wrong. His point is that guys like Jabari are not the core. Jabari has proven to me that he will be a very good complimentary piece, a long term starter, and no way am I trying to get rid of him. But he’s not a player we are building around - which is what Clutch meant by core - Jabari is a great piece to surround the actual core, which is Sengun.
So far, @Clutch doesn't seem to have changed his Sengun take yet? If he has adjusted his assessment or opinion, we cannot assume that as long as he doesn't say anything about it. The following statements (and I am probably missing some) so far stand without a post that would say otherwise. Older ones: didn't want him before the draft (from a pre-draft podcast) had concerns about his defense and whether he could ever be the right "archetype" gave Rockets kudos for planning to start Bruno Fernando over him mentioned that "internal sources had data that showed he was the worst pick and roll defender in the entire league" mentioned that there are "concerns about his work ethic" not enough of a lob threat or rim protector not part of the core probably not "worth the trouble" because of his perceived defensive inabilities, although a "gifted offensive player" "Jabari at 5, that's the way" Trade ideas: 60 % confidence level in the summer that Sengun would be shopped More likely to be the trade piece than center piece of a rebuild Would have traded Sengun for Ivey, for AJ Griffin, to move up to be able to draft Scoot Henderson, and multiple other trade ideas More current statements: not the best player, "Nope." (which begs the question, who does @Clutch think is the best player?) still very focused on perceived defensive deficiencies "they are hiding him on defense" does credit Sengun for his offensive contribution sometimes though when opponents score e.g. via alley-oop, even if once or twice per game, kind of a "there, you see?!" response - perceived confirmation of "cannot protect the rim with this guy" generally just seems to promote it more when someone else has a good game None of that is "wrong" or mean or something, it's just an observation. We all have our favourite players and players whom (or whose style or ability profile for the team) we like or don't like. Not "dunking on Clutch", just summarizing where we are. It just seems - until further notice - that it doesn't really matter what the stats say or how obvious it seems to be to other NBA players, to NBA experts, to the majority of Rockets fans that Sengun is, indeed, at this point inevitably becoming the center piece of the rebuild, rather than the trade piece. Feels a bit like Sengun could average a triple double the rest of the season and help lead us to the playoffs and it wouldn't change @Clutch's mind either. Happy to be proven wrong on this one though .
@Clutch is the owner of this site, and probably the no. 1 Rockets fan in the world. I'm just a regular Rockets fan who understands that posting here is a privilege, not a right. Please don't ban me @Clutch
Damn! You have the records! I just wanna hear the reasoning behind it if he hasn't changed his opinion, yet
I've said it before, but this is how I, personally, see it potentially shaking out with respect to our "core" pieces (which I define as guys I could see starting for the next 6 - 10 years or so): Sengun Smith Brooks OR Eason. Either Eason really improves and takes over for Brooks, or Brooks extends and Eason remains as our energy sixth man. ONE of Green, Amen, or Whitmore. Sengun and Smith are headed for big contracts, and either Brooks extends or Eason signs a larger contract to replace Brooks. As such, we probably have room for one additional major contract, and I think one of these guys will break out and show they deserve it. And I hope one does, because if you think of a core of Sengun / Smith / Brooks or Eason, the major thing missing is perimeter playmaking. Of course, there is always the possibility that the Rockets trade for a core player, but that's impossible to predict.
The closest one to being a core piece is Sengun. The fact is that none of these guys have shaken out to be foundational pieces yet. Especially Green who seems to be slipping in value by the year.
Absolute nonsense. What Sengun is doing on the offensive end is unprecedented for his age. And I mean that literally — no player has averaged his numbers with his efficiency before their fourth season. Also, what Bari is doing defensively is incredible — he is top 10 in defensive rating, and he’s the only 20 yr old in the top 30 or so. At this point, it’s a given that Sengun deserves the max, and very likely that Smith with sign a max or near-max extension.
Team success. Which seems like its coming this season. The huge gap between Silas and Ime teams this early into the season have completely invalidated everything that we saw in the Silas AAU basketball days so I'm hesitant until a full Ime season finishes out. I clearly think Sengun is a future superstar impact player, not 100% sold on Jabari, and think Green should be traded based on the Silas days, but just like Green looking awful compared to those Silas days I'm going to hold judgment until they are quite a bit further into this season. Ultimately, these guys are obviously all talented -- but we have been the worst team in the NBA with a dogshit coach with no vets for these players to learn from. SGA changed from being an empty stats player on a bad team to a future superstar outlook based on the team actually winning games to a meaningful standard. Same for Ant. Maybe this year the Rockets take that jump. Sengun is starting to get press and make some noise.
Guess it depends on what you consider a "core" player. For example, were there any core players on the 93-94 Rockets except Hakeem? Does Robert Horry count?
If Clutch truly does not care for Sengun then I have bad news for him. He is going to be here for at least the next decade as the main person that the GM will work to build and tweak the roster around. He will also be a top 5 player in the league soon.
