ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Kings 12/21/2025

Maybe if he could hit a game winner

 

If there’s a deal to make for a dynamic star 1 or 2 rockets need to make it. I really don’t think they can win with Amen and Sheppard at this point. They are built to win now and this iteration isn’t it. There’s currently no guard on this team that both can get to the paint and shoot a mid or 3. If i were Stone I would consider moving these two. But who’s out there? Booker? They can’t possibly trade with the Suns again. I just can’t see how a guard that can’t finish consistently and can’t shoot more than 6 ft and another who is a defensive liability and inexperienced can help this team win a title this year or within these Durant years. If they don’t win this year I would imagine Stone and management will take a look at this.

Whatever they decide, this ain’t it.

 

I don’t think they use Capela properly. The man still manages to grab nearly 5 boards a game playing avg of 10 min.

My issue is their refusal to get pg help. As I said before Sheppard isn’t winning this team a championship this year. Amen isn’t it either. I really think a Booker or some star level 2 or point can take this team to another level if they can keep some of their defensive pieces (tari, smith, dfs). Likely won’t happen with booker but I’m just talking about what this team can be with a dynamic guard. I can’t remember any team winning the title without a guard that can shoot and drive.

 

Looking like the Houston Ravens with all these 4th quarter chokes

 

Absolutely not. We should have never gotten to that point in the first place.

 

If we were built to win now then we would be winning now. Youre angleing to destroy the Rockets. We should be going in th eopposite direction. Stay young get rid of KD and do this thing organically and stop trying to rush everything. Rockets trying shortcuts will ruin us.

 

I never said I agreed with the direction they took and are heading. The fact is they made the trade to win now, otherwise there is no point in trading for Durant. The window is now and the next 2 years perhaps. Without Durant on this team in 2 years there are no players on this team that can consistently both get to the paint or shoot. This was the gamble with the Green deal.

I think it’s obvious Amen and Sheppard just aren’t the right pieces to this team although both have skills and potential, I don’t believe this team can win with them. Imagine if OKC had Amen instead of Jalen Williams. That team wouldn’t be as effective or dominant. Not being able to shoot jumpers in mid range or 3 for a guard really hampers a team. And when you talk about being a contender the chances decrease with this type of personnel. If there’s a deal to be made they need to pull that trigger.

 

Damn, Okogie was WIDE OPEN right near the basket for Amen to pass to for a dunk or layup. Instead of flinging it out to Sengun doing a weird James Harden'ing looking for a foul call, stead of just shooting regular.

Maybe Amen thought his pass might get tipped. But that missed pass is at least half as bad a Tari's blown defensive assignment

 

They are both too young for you to even know that.

 

You’re right we don’t know exactly how their careers will pan out but we have an idea by observing how they play. Amen might be able to shoot 3s someday at a 35% clip but I don’t expect him to ever have a dribble gather into a midrange pull up or a post game. He’s a north south guy with a quick attack. Very limited player. Guys like Westbrook or fox aren’t good 3 pt shooters but at least they had a 15 ft jumper. It’s hard to change your game and play a completely different way.

Take Jabari. He didn’t change his game. He just sharpened his skills with tighter dribbling, more explosion off the dribble and improving footwork and balance going to the basket.

 

Agree. Knee jerk reaction. Give up a decade long of contention for a couple of shots with KD (who ain’t great anymore) and with a historically great OKC team to beat is ridiculous.

 

Rox have only played 2 teams without KD and against mid teams in GSW and PHX. They havent beat any contenders without KD so why are you acting like these 2 games mean anything?

Efficiency isnt everything but its also dumb to say the dude scoring 25/5/5 on extremely high efficiency is somehow hurting the team.

 

We didnt give up anything that would make us contenders for KD. In fact KD trade made us contenders for the next 3 yrs at least.

KD isnt great anymore but his 25/5/5 at 63% TS gives us more than Jalen (who has been hurt all season) and DBrooks combined. Next year his salary goes down to 45M which is prob one of the most efficient contracts in the NBA for what he gives you.

Rox have a lot of problems KD isnt one of them.

 

He’s about as smart as a flat earther so treat him accordingly

 

You’re not contending with a Jalen Green led teamno matter the year

 

I didn't say his points were hurting the team. He is. You can only go by what evidence there is we've lost to easy teams with him lol This isn't a successful team as constructed. Without him we are a fast defensive minded up and coming team with a future. With him we're trying to force ourselves into contention too early and that will lead to bad decisions. KD will only get older he is the thing this team needs to let go of. You cannot and should not build around a 37year old.

 

Our defense and identity is lost without Dillion. We gave up more than you realize. Again the Suns have better record without KD with Dillion despite the tons of injuries they have and we are worse.

 

We arent building around him KD can fit on any team. We arent trying to force ourselves into contention we are already contenders just based on talent on the roster. We have a 23 yr old all star, KD and a bunch of solid vets thats more than enough to be a contender.

The fact that you think Brooks is better than KD tells me all I need to know brother just lay off the crack pipe. Dillon Brooks is in his 30s you act like he is a 20 yr old superstar. Jalen Green hasnt even played more than 1 game. That defensive team you are pining for literally had one of the worst offenses in the league, NOW the Rockets are top 5 in both offense and defense.

What is the evidence KD is hurting the team? Every single traditional and advanced stat tells you he is a net positive. OMG we are 2-0 without KD you really think thats good evidence he is hurting the team? We also lost to bad teams last year without KD.

This is my last post on this arguing that KD is somehow a bad player is so dumb its not even worth arguing for. This is literal Nico Harrison logic you got so lost in the sauce.

https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced-leaders

Rockets with KD are the 3rd best offense and 4rth best defense. Last year they were the 2nd best defense but 15th best offense. Its a massive upgrade dude if you can't see that thats your problem.

 

KD IS NOT LUKA YOU ARE DELUSIONAL. And I never called KD a bad player. The fact that you keep accusing me of things that I didnt say shows you know youre wrong and youre resorting to gaslighting lol. KD doesnt have the impact he once had, but he is KD and respected as such therefore he ruins the team because he is going to be counted in a way that he cant deliver in this stage of his career. It's why the Clippers suck eventhough Harden and Kawhi are playing and putting up numbers and would have wrecked the league together in their primes. Derozan and Westbrook in there primes would have been great but they suck now. Its natural and Im not sure why you think KD is immune to it because he has great efficiency. ITS FOOLS GOLD. Look at Lebron he puts up these big numbers but without prime Luka the Lakers suck. Lebron will still put up great numbers and YET I dont want him on this team even though he has great numbers. I hope that explains things to you because its seems like you are slow on the take or you just dont want to get it. This is a dangerous path we go down one Ive warned about since the off season. I hope stone wises up. We're not winning a chip with KD and I would rather look bad with the young guys for awhile so that they learn more than have a 37 year old having the ball all the time and it gets us nowhere.

 

We can't shoot for ****