I assume making the team better is his impact in outscoring opponents thru 5 games, 2nd to Alpi in BPM, Net Rating, and Assists Despite being just 4th in Usage and Posessions
Why are people pretending Amen at PG is not going amazingly well? In 3 games since Ime abandoned the guard-suffocating double big lineup, Amen is averaging 7.7 assists and 2.4 TO's. The competition hasn't been good but that's excellent for his first few games as a starting PG in Ime's system. Overall for the season he's 5.8 assists to 2.6 TO's which is a 2.2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Getting to the line almost 4.7 times a game. 15.7 points on 57 TS%. The best perimeter defense in the NBA. Rebounds. Blocks. I think some people just regurgitate whatever they heard. Amen will master this position before the end of the season.
I think it's impatience and just the need of some folks to complain. My opinion right now is Amen will continue improving until it's very obvious he ain't moving from the lead guard role, especially when the Rockets will have too many swing players after DFS joins the glut. But, for better or worse, more clarity will come with more games.
I think the biggest concern about Amen is his contract extension. I personally feel like he shouldn't get paid the max until he improves his 3pt shot but he's well deserved of a similar contract like Sengun for sure.
Yeah, just a reminder here: Amen has played fewer than 30 games without FVV. Even in those games, Jalen generally took on the lion's share of perimeter ballhandling duties prior to this season. Point guard is probably the most difficult position to learn, most guys don't jump right into the NBA having mastered the position. I think Amen is doing very well given his lack of experience. Agreed, if he demands it he'll get it. Only way he gets paid less is if he's doing it intentionally to help the team have more flexibility. Hard to say whether he'd be willing to do that, he does care a great deal about winning, but getting paid the max is an ego thing for a lot of guys.
Yeah he does prioritize winning and especially winning as a team. Also I think that's where being twins in the NBA becomes a factor. Since there are two of them then max money may not be as important because their combined non max money may be enough for their parents for now.
Try telling that to their agent. You can bet the family of a player who was given the name XLNC at birth aren't going to settle for good enough.
NBA awards are so formula driven. Blocked shots will always be awarded over all around defense. Evidence of big man bias is apparent with stiffs like Gobert getting multiple awards even when he has to be removed in the playoffs, because he can’t guard the perimeter at all. Wemby or Chet will win it if they can stay on the floor. I think if it was all players and coaches voting, Amen would have a shot. Houston players and all non-centers have a rough road to DPOY as long as broadcasters and so-called sports journalists have a say. Wemby is a shoe-in if he stays healthy. He maybe the right choice, I just don’t watch the Spurs to know how he does all over the court like Amen.
These awards are regular season awards. Big men do more in general in terms of team defense as they clog the paint and prevent easy buckets.
