Couldn't have come at a better time. Silver lining of these injuries is it forced us to play Amen/Cam more. When Dillon and Tari are back, we're also going to have Cam playing like a 6th man of the year and hopefully letting Jalen understand that his starting spot is not secure anymore.
He definitely has more IT factor than Green did his rookie season. Seems more in control with the ball in crunch time. Maybe it’s just because of his size but he doesn’t get bullied AT ALL.
Whitmore is a championship piece. No doubt about it. He's doing this at 19 years old. Very mature physical body with strength. Explosive athlete with skills. He's turning into what people thought when they projected him as a top 5 pick.
Just don't start any threads about "Cam WHITMORE PART 1 THE REVELATION" or whatever because of the karmic death sentence you inevitably visit on their careers.
Freaky athlete, ideally when Brooks is back I'd trade tate and landale for some sort of big or even just an atheltic C and a pick. Should be 7th man after Tari, let him grow into that main scoring role off the bench for now.
He is also in a much better situation lol. Our younger players from previous drafts have to deal with Silas and KPJ. This year's rookies get to be coached by Ime and his staff as well as playing alongside vets like FVV and Dillon.
First player off the bench last night. Played meaningful minutes starting early in the game and the longest stretch to date. And most importantly Ime trusted him in crunch time on the floor. Huge moving forward and he's way ahead of schedule in terms of what most expected
Cam is putting straight pressure on the wings to get their crap together or get the hell outta the way. This is the beauty of having a coach open to having a competitive situation for minutes. It’s nut cutting time for Green, he’ll get every opportunity but Jalen will have to perform to hold his spot. The Rockets have a better group and a different environment now. I’m loving it.
Armchair analysis: I am very glad that Cam has chosen to play basketball. If he didn't, he could have been a psycho murderer. Guy has that vibes. He irks me. Just Like MJ, I always thought if MJ wasn't a basketball player he could have started the 3rd world war. Yikes. DISCLAIMER: I am the biggest Camzilla stan if you haven't noticed yet.
Yes! Didn't he play to close out the game in Q4 and OT? I like that he can score within the context of a game, not iso, trying to make something happen and end up getting stufffed or turning it over, which is basically the worst offensive possession because live turnovers lead to transition buckets and momentum swings. Which is what JG does at least once every game. Off topic but there's always that one thing every player does at least once every game. Tari getting a random completely out of nowhere steal and a bucket on the other end. Tate fouling a jump shooter. JG with the tough contested hero ball jumper. and of course Sengun making that wow play whether pass or shot.
As good as he wants to be - guys that play that hard, and with that much aggression/force - AND can finish - usually turn out really good. DD
Every game Jalen should get 2 less minutes and Cam should get 2 more. Won't take long before Cam is our Starting SG. He checks all the boxes and Jalen checks none.
