Amen Thompson should start over Jabari Smith Jr. because his overall skill set brings more versatility and impact to the Rockets’ lineup. While Jabari is a better shooter, especially from three, Amen offers superior playmaking, with elite court vision that makes the offense more dynamic and unpredictable. His athleticism and ability to attack the rim provide another dimension to the team’s offense, creating opportunities for himself and teammates in ways Jabari doesn’t. Defensively, Amen's quickness and ability to guard multiple positions make him a more versatile and disruptive presence on that end. His all-around game simply adds more value than what Jabari offers outside of shooting.
Only if Sengun doesn't hesitate on his threes when defenses give him space to shoot them. It can't work with two guys out of the 5 on the court who hesitate to shoot threes even when there is no one within a 5 ft radius around them. But I think that is a pretty easily correctable issue with Sengun and so far it seems as if he isn't doing the hesitation.
It all depends on whether Sengun can continue shooting threes as well as he did last night. Aside from the pick-and-roll with Fred, Sengun often receives the ball on the perimeter rather in the post.
Amen needs to be getting at least 30 minutes a night. All of the starters against Charlotte got over 30 minutes yet only Alpi had earned it. Meanwhile Amen played just 22. Whether he starts or is the 6th man he needs to play more.
I think it’s important to give Bari at least the first half of the season to step up and take that leap, but that’s more a matter of minutes than whether or not he’s starting. I’m really concerned with who’s closing. Amen needs to be closing games and playing 36 min. I dont like the fit of our starters. I’m fine with having Bari come off the bench as long as he still gets the minutes he needs to keep progressing.
No start Jabari until we trade him, we need to recoup some value. Our bench is abysmal as is there’s nothing wrong with Amen bringing his energy off the bench
The rockets bench is not abysmal. They are young and 2 were injured last season. Within some point this season they will be a strength.
Who rebounds when the other team brings in a midget at Center to draw Sengun to defending the three? I know that Jabari only got 1 rebound in this exact scenario but I think it was just an off night for him. He was grabbing 9 rebounds last season against better competition. Amen for Brooks is the Chess move.
