I remember when someone posted this as a cryptic sign when there was still a little uncertainty about who we were going to draft
I dont like the word "scared". I think hes had normal rookie deer in the headlights type moments, but its kind of obvious people still dont know what type of player we drafted. One of the criticisms against him coming out was that he didnt shoot a high volume. He didnt have a high usage rate either. He was never a gunner. Asking him to be more of a shoot first guy is what this team needs this year, but its not who he is as a player.
Sheppard and FVV have a Net Rating of 13.8. Without FVV on the court, Jalen Green will be on the court. FVV should be on the court with Sheppard more. Amen should be on the court as well, but more Amen and Sheppard on the court means more Sheppard on the court as Amen is already out there almost all the time Sheppard is. FVV, Sheppard, Amen, Tari, and Landale has been a great lineup. Sengun instead of Landale has only gotten 3 minutes, but been even better. Sengun works well with a lot of lineups, especially with Brooks. Playing a lineup that works while Sengun and Brooks rest is important even if playing Sengun with this lineup would likely work better. I don't know why so many seem to be against having guys that make right decisions on the court together. Having FVV, Amen, and Tari on the court with Sheppard seems like a natural fit to protect Sheppard defensively while having multiple guys that Sheppard can make passes to or received passes from seems like a natural fit offensively.
FVV is not effective as a driver to the basket. Amen going to the basket and either scoring or hitting open players (including Sheppard) on the perimeter would be a thing of beauty. If FVV would be a spot up shooter along with Sheppard and let Amen initiate the offense that would make sense as well. I just don't see FVV giving up his hero ball.
Udoka also need to run more plays to free him up for 3s. Yes, he's a rookie and all pecking order and all that, but this offense is so atrocious they need to try all possible avenues to score.
We are nearly on 100 games that the Rockets offense has cratered without FVV on the court. Granted, that is mostly because he's the only guy on the team capable of playing PG for 30 mpg most nights on the offensive end and on the defensive end. Acting like FVV is a hindrance to the offense is incredibly biased. On hero-ball, I think FVV plays less hero ball when Amen and Reed are on the court with him. Though for hero ball, FVV might have the lowest usage ever for guy accused of playing hero ball.
Amen is ready now, he wasn't last year. FVV is not playing good right now, but I do think he will go back to the norm.
Send this kid to the Vipers. He's not good right now. I feel bad for Holiday. If anyone can blame politics, it's him.
