Jay Bilas knows ball "one of the best shooters I have seen in a long time".... THAT is why you draft him. DD
Yes 1-3-4 have to be great defenders AND shooters. Remember JG is deadly when he attacks the rim. We’ve seen clearly now that if you pack the paint to improve your defense, you're consequently killing JG’s ability to get to the rim - the most important shot in basketball. Sengun needs shooters too. Would be criminal to put any non-shooters around them. Optimizing Green and Sengun’s shot creation is the primary goal of our offense. Defenders who can’t shoot or shooters who can’t defend are poison for this team. I’m going to disagree with you regarding size with Sheppard/Green. In my eyes the perfect ideal height for those positions is 6’3 and 6’6. So to me that backcourt is just 1 inch below perfect. Easily average or above average. Sheppard like any rookie can stand to put on some muscle. JG just needs to add muscle the way he does every summer, I think next season actually he’s going to finally be an NBA sized SG. Yes like you I see internal improvement in shooting could surprise us (especially Bari/Tari). Amazing we have so many options to mix and match.
I really have to compartmentalize my general support for whomever we pick, and my increasingly rabid desire for the rockets to take Reed Sheppard. I honestly believe it’s a no-regret pick; especially in this draft.
[/QUOTE] So Clingan is not the favorite with any of those picks....Rarely a prop player, but I would wager on #3 being dealt, and Clingan being selected with that pick. Decent odds...
There is no magic in the #3 pick in this draft. It is just a number. If we keep the pick, we are getting “insurance” for someone, because none of them will be starting and most likely will get very few minutes unless an injury occurs (insurance). The Rockets realize this and are trying to trade down or out of this draft.
I'm saying it's not predicated on that. Yeah, it's obviously a. short term ancillary benefit while they grow. The Rockets are looking for moves to acquire draft capital, but also for a really good veteran in the deal. And, I disagree about the 3rd pick not being valuable... Yeah, the draft might not be top heavy with o bvious studs, but a decent # of all stars will come out of 2024. As to 3, we are sitting pretty for a little bidding war. It really does set up nicely.
I see Reed getting backup PG minutes although I know you prefer Amen in that role. That would be Ime's decision. I would like to see Alpi and Amen together with Amen being in the "dunker" role he took on after Alpi went down. I think the two of them could be amazing working together. I also imagine a lineup with Amen, Tari, Sheppard, and Alpi out there with Jalen if they go small of Bari if they go big. Teams would be terrified to pass the ball due to all the steals.
This is the only fanbase that wants Sheppard. Every time I mention Sheppard on YouTube going to another team, that fanbase immediately attacks me. I'm talking Atlanta. Washington, SA, Charlotte and so on. Seriously. Nobody wants Sheppard in their city. I've even seen where people prefer Rob Dillingham and Castle over Sheppard. But you guys are in here going ga-ga over a him. Mind boggling. I dont get it. You all are determined to watch him decorate our bench or worse, not be able to see him play at all while he's in the valley.
