The pundits are good at playing it safe and making predictions based on what someone has already done, rather than seeing potential and going out in a limb to predict what they’ll do. That’s much harder. I don’t claim to know much, but I’m excited as hell about the prospect of these young guys taking a leap forward this year. There are so many young, talented guys on this team who are right at that point where they should be rapidly improving. If only a few of them do, what a fun season it’ll be. Especially with shooting — if a few are better this year than last, and with the addition of Reed Shepherd, they could be really competitive.
Dunk package? How is that even a criteria for anything other than highlight films and all-star hoopla. Amen has maybe two weaknesses (handling is disputable). I expect to see improvements in both areas this year. It’s not going to take three or four years for Amen to be superstar calibre. He is the most dedicated to basketball than anybody I have seen since Larry Bird.
It's not a "criteria" but it does make you a significantly better finisher being able to do it with either hand, being able to adjust mid air to dunk around/over defenders, there's a reason the elite level dunkers are the elite level dunkers and don't just do 2 handed simple flushes. It wasn't even a negative of Amen either, it's just something that if he improves on it (much like shooting and his loose handle) will help to serve him being a bonafide superstar. And you guys say Jalen fans are sensitive, god damn.
I wasn’t offended or sensitive, I just think you listing “dunk package” as a weakness was silly. Amen said it in regard to the all-star game and I haven’t heard anyone, coaches or otherwise, list it as something he needs to work on. He may already be the best defensive wing in the league and is a mediocre shot away from being all-world. That’s not going to take three or four years.
The pundits I listen couldn't/can't stop talking about SGA, Jalen Williams, Giddy, Paolo, Cade before they were great. The pundits tend to predict what they see as likely to come. They for whatever reason aren't that high on the Rockets players. Except for Reed. Everyone loves Reed, just more a it is difficult to be good on ball early.
Giddy, Paolo, and Cade are not great. I can’t for the life of me see the Paolo and Cade love. This board is so down on Jabari and so in love with Banchero. Here are there head to head stats: https://stathead.com/tiny/H6ezs Jabari is a much better defender, 3 pt shooter, and rebounder.
Between Paolo and Jabari, Bari has the higher floor, Paolo has the higher ceiling. Self creation really ups the ceiling of a player. Bari is a more sure thing because he can excel as a high end role player. Paolo's game requires him to be a ball dominant star
Very good. Paolo is a good player, but the only route I see for him to be great is becoming a knock down 3 point shooter and better defender. I don’t see superstar potential in Jabari, but he is so young I hate to put a ceiling on him.
I was listing out guys that they said would be great before they are great. I think Cade will be great and Detroit is masking that he's already pretty good. Paolo, he might become great and is typically treated as great already. For current body of work, I would lump him with Jalen Green. Paolo is a better defender and size has its advantages, but at the end of the day, Paolo has been just as inefficient offensively as Green on average except at least Green has had an extended period of time that he's played great. Self creation only matters if a player can finish what they created at an efficient rate. I don't have much hope for Giddey.
Yes agreed, you have to show and prove. Really it's about who creates the biggest impact on team wins. Once you start becoming successful as a team and winning in the regular season and playoffs, everything else will take care of itself. Everyone will benefit, even guys far down the bench.
Paolo was an all-star and was the main focal point on offense, he led his team to the playoffs and put up these numbers as a second-year player in his first playoff experience. Those are superstar numbers for any player, let alone a 21-year-old. Sorry, I support Jabari, think he's very talented and want him to fulfill his potential, but there is no comparison to being the primary offensive anchor, his self-creation, becoming an all-star, and accomplishing what he has in the playoffs where the teams gameplan against you for a full series. I encourage folks to take a holistic approach to not only look at stats (advanced, impact, and raw counting stats) but also watch film/skillsets and interviews to get an idea of what separates players.
Bear in mind these are the same people who think Amen is already a superstar level talent shooting 13.8% from deep as a guard. Reality isn't really part of their equation.
I see what you mean, although being a superstar in accomplished production and having superstar talent is different IMO. I would definitely say Amen and pretty much all of our team aren't superstars yet, with Segun being the closest of the young guys and FVV having already been an all-star and NBA champion. But Amen definitely has superstar potential and talent IMO, we'll see whether he fulfills it I agree.
I prefer the eye test and I just don’t see Paolo as some future great nor Cade. I don’t see it for Jabari either. Paolo has been overrated in my opinion ever since he entered the league. He has the scoring efficiency of Jalen, he is slow, and plays average at best defense. He was an all-star for two reasons, biased media voting/hype and playing in the East. Jabari plays defense better, rebounds better, and hits 3’s better. As an offensive player he might not be quite as good as Paolo, but as an all-around player Jabari is a much better fit for the Rockets than Paolo and doesn’t really have that much more potential.
