After watching last night's game (GSW) and how they played him defensively. I'm not sure Amen can start at any position if the shooting doesn't improve to ~league average. They just left him open and dared him to shoot, defender one foot in the paint, Amen in the corner 3 while covering up other options - it was a total disaster on several consecutive possessions (I think that was OT). I think it goes one of two ways with Amen - he shoots ~league average and he's the PG of the future. otherwise he's a Draymond type 4 / smallball 5. I agree Jabari is the long term 4 assuming the contract demands aren't totally insane. As for Tari, he's the eventual starting 3 ..... when Brooks is moved. That'll be either at the trade deadline or this coming offseason - they need that space under the apron - FVV won't be back unless it's for a lot cheaper.
He's averaging more turnovers than assists right now. He has to make a better case than that with the second unit and competing with Fred. Give him a little bit of time, he'll get there.
I still think his dribbling needs a lot of work. He's so athletic that he sometimes does really ridiculous stuff and it works. He always tries to do this one dribble from the 3 point line and bull doze into the rim. It worked against GSW but I'm not sure if it's sustainable
Absolutely. You are going to get roasted by the so called basketball experts on this forum, but they will be eating crow soon enough. Amen will be the starting PG for this team, when we are really ready to compete and should be getting major minutes at the position right now.
Amen is the most untouchable player on our team. I would not trade him straight up for Giannis if it was possible. I’ll never be a fan only guy, but trading away our best chance at a superstar would really challenge my Rocket fandom.
No problemo, I do not think Freak comes here anyway......it is like 20 teams after him. Amen and Tari are the prized possessions, Jabari has better stats but he is far from any one of them. Both Tari and Amen have the abilities to change the outcome of many games. Both have incredible motors and energy. Both are monster defenders that can do a lot of things.
I agree Giannis is a real long shot. We might could lure him for Sengun and picks, but if he is in control of where he goes why would he pick the Rockets?
I feel like he would love Udoka, a far better coach than Rivers. They have a Nigerian connection I believe. He's entering his 30's and is tired of carrying old guys. The Rockets are going to impress him in games this season. We're one of the only teams in the NBA that can send out what he's worth and still be left with good depth of talent. We would have a very good chance imo.
I'd rather send "baby Jokic" and pieces (say Whitmore, picks, Sheppard maybe) for actual Jokic if the rumours about the Nuggest potentially blowing it up came to fruition...
There was a recent article with I think MPJ basically saying if they don't win this year the expectation the players have is that they'll blow up the core. Now obviously, you'd assume retooling around Jokic. But if Joker asked out?..I'm just saying, if we're talking which of the modern MVP/Superstar level talents you'd want ideally, i'd take Jokic over Giannis every single time.
Hope you are right. He has been the vet I have championed the most when the inevitable consolidation takes place. I do think that it would probably mean losing Sengun in the trade, but C on defense would probably be a pretty good development for Giannis in the long run, especially if Jabari can muscle up and give him support.
On Amen, I think he needs to play with a center that can and will shoot without hesitation if he's not a league average shooter. If he sets a screen at the 3 point line for a shooter, his defender has to help contain the shooter (i.e., can't just sag off like Amen's defender does when Amen isn't a screen setter). I think Amen can be one of the dealiest roll men in the game with or without shooting. Though to take advantage of his roll skills, he needs to play with a PG in a well spaced court (i.e., shooters at all other positions). I've long time thought Jabari would pass Tari. Tari's shot is getting a little faster though still not silky smooth. I'm starting to think that the leg was the reason Tari was having issues finishing around the rim his first two seasons. If Tari is able to finish like he has this season around the rim, he isn't goping to have to improve his shot much to be a very good starting PF. I like Tari more at PF as PFs tend to not be as good offensivelty as SFs allowing Tari more freedom defensively (i.e., Tari is elite as an off the ball defender). If Amen can play offensively, Tari and Amen are a great fit as Amen can take POA defense while Tari can just blow up the offense. I'm not that down of Jabari versus expectation entering the season...I'm just much more curious on whether Tari's rim finishing is legit.
