Sengun/FVV-centric offense won't survive long term

That's a tough read. This offensive system actually is built for long term success. I think it's the personnel OP has an issue with, not the system. The roster as is won't win a championship, but this is a championship caliber system Ime has in place and it's beautiful.

Once the team is in phase 3 the Rockets are going to be tough to beat. They already are and it's because of the system. I imagine Amen running the same plays with Sengun next season with an upgraded roster and Cam having a year under his belt (if one of the two aren't traded). Some players on the team are here short-term but I hope the system is here to stay. Sengun is only going to get better.

 

FVV has been exactly what this team needed, and has been playing terrific. The offense has improved this year and will continue to improve as our young players mature and we build a more complete team around FVV and Sengun. Fred does take a few too many 2pt shots, but he does everything else so well, it’s hard to be too critical. Surround Fred with more talented and experienced offensive players, then I think you will see his assists go up and shot attempts go down.

I think we are just still in a waiting stage. Waiting for our young players to mature and take a larger role.

It should be noted that Fred’s shot attempts are down and his assists are up this year over previous years. A trend that may very well continue.

 

The plan is for Amen/Jalen to take the reigns once they've gained enough experience. Going to be a few years before Amen's shot is serviceable enough but his defense, rebounding and vision are incredible.

In the mean time....moar FVV/Sengun pick and roll.

 

I wouldnt change anything. This season is about growth and building a winning culture. So far that goal is a huge success.

I would rather have a bottom third offense and give Sengun all of this experience as being that goto guy. Hes developing rapidly, and im excited about how far that goes.

Rather than a mid tier offense where Sengun isn't getting as much oppurtunity.

I think long term, like next year or even later, you are on track. But right now id rather give him every bit of experience and burn as being the guy, that way in 2 years when we are competing and we have to feed him, he'll be incredibly reliable.

As for FVV, we have to deal with his warts for what he provides. If he doesnt step up and take those long 2s, defenses wont rotate off Sengun and allow that short roll pass.

FVV has really helped mature Sengun, by consistently being able to get him the rock in position.

Our offense evolution, will have to come from one of our guards who grow enough to warrant much more responsibility. Right now Jalen doesnt warrant more responsibility. Maybe him or Cam in the future become that guy, but we have to wait for that someone to dictate those terms.

 

The stability Fred has brought to the team on both ends of the court is the main reason we’re above .500. Also, Sengun has thrived with FVV initiating the offense. The Athletic praised FVV’s midrange proficiency as a big reason we’ve improved from last year. I don’t agree with sacrificing wins to create opportunities for players that are underperforming. You can’t let your foot off the gas in a competitive west. Every win matters.

NBA shooting rankings: From Thunder to Magic, each team’s greatest strength and weakness
https://theathletic.com/5155758/202...er-celtics-lakers/?source=user_shared_article

 

You can play 4 different offensive styles with Alpi. We've seen all of them lately, stuff that has outlasted the 1800s and used heavily by other teams to this day. So the offense can survive decades long maybe not the cast at PG with him playing 200 minutes a night. That's my only worry.
I do Agree that with a couple of more looks Jabari would be averaging Chet numbers.

 

Offense and defense are related. The Rockets offense overall has been below par because they play a lot of defense-first players and don't have many good consistent, developed offensive weapons. Also, the Rockets, as much as Nook complains about this, are very deliberate on offense and slow the game limiting their and their opponents transition opportunities. The Rockets need better shooting if they are going to play as much half court as they do to open spacing for guys.

I should point out as the Rockets have been involved in a few more high paced games lately, the offense has been the 11th best over the past 10 games while the defense has fallen off to 19th over the past 10 games.


Long term, I think the Rockets need to find a point guard to replace FVV as he's likely just a crutch. Maybe it will be Amen.

 

I’d like Jabari to get a few more scoring opportunities on offense, but otherwise I’m fine with the FVV-Sengun offense. They are out most consistent and effective weapons.

Curious what Jalen’s splits are with and without Fred.

 

I'm honestly more worried with our defensive rebounding. Us not rebounding better were a big factor in our losses. We started off hot in rebounding, but have regressed in the past few games.

 

First off, I am loving this thread. Good quality discussion. Except the "meh...expectations" comment.

I suspect that what we see now is not what we will be seeing by the end of the year. Or the beginning of next year. I agree though that we can't keep riding FVVs midrange.

I think Alpi is going to just get better as his new role becomes his old role. He'll process faster and I hope that means more for Jalen and Jabari.

 

If FVV shots significantly less from MR, opposing teams won't defend against his shot in MR, and cut off passing lanes. Cutting FVV's 2PT shots significantly would likely strangle the Rockets offense as the Rockets offense depends heavily on FVV being guarded inside the arc, and passing out or passing to Sengun or a cutter.

Edit: To be clear, I am for trying to minimize MR shots or other inefficient shots like FVV close to the rim. I just don't think the Rockets have the personel to shift the offense away from FVV and Sengun. I'd like to see some other things worked in, but I would not cut the FVV/Sengun offense for it.

 

This is the Peak of this offense in terms of FVV's ball dominance. He will have less and less control as the years of his contract go by.

I hope eventually he becomes the 2nd unit general for another 4 years after his initial contract is up. Leading us to another 1-2 title wins, cementing himself as a 3-time NBA champion and one of the best role-players of all time.


....and then i woke up.

 

As we had unfortunate Silas/KPJ/Lionel Hollins/Jeff Hornacek years, any new staff is welcomed with positive discrimination.

FVV is good with Alp as any average to decent PG would be (see D. Schroeder, D. J. Augustine). Udoka is good for getting wins as Deignault-Snyder would be.

We appreciate FVV+Brooks+Udoka but it doesn't mean that we should ignore the deficiencies. I remember the description of quality as "suitability for the aim" (more or less, consider translation effect). All three are quality employments at the moment but whether they will be enough for '26 WCF or more, it's a different subject.

Rockets has a wonderful core, should rise to the occasion and grab the opportunities. No one should be let to destroy the party.

Championships after 3 decades, that's the aim.

 

I like the midrange shots as long as they’re open and good quality looks. Every top scorer utilizes outside of Giannis.

 

This is not easy. They aren't ready. Sure, when there are better options, go away from FVV/Sengun. Until such time, keep going with the best offense...and by far it is FVV/Sengun right now.

Though, if Cam keeps shooting like he has been, he might get more time to help the FVV/Sengun 2-man game be more effective or be an option when those two aren't on the court.

 

Has the NBA figured out Sengun's Euro streetball routine?