ClutchFans Game Thread: Hornets @ Rockets 2/5/2026

The Rockets are operating on a three-year window, but plan to reset after that window. They will only use significant long-term assets during the 3-year window if there is a decent chance of success.

So far, the Rockets have used 1 FRP and Green (though likely a negative contract) on the three-year window as long-term assets. Granted, Rockets could probably get back the FRP and more if they trade Durant.

Most third-year players don't improve much after that. However, I'd say about a third of good players improve a lot after their third year. Point guards typically take a little longer than big men. Amen and Sengun both are developing point guard skills whether or not they end up PGs. I think Amen and Sengun still grow a little more than the average 3rd year player (Not Top 5 in the NBA level) due to the skills they are developing and that they are good enough to get the reps and runway to develop more.

 

Well, Fred is sitting on the bench. Watching.

Sounds like Fred needs to have a players only meeting and gnaw on some asses.

 

I agree that Sengun, Smith, Thompson and Eason can still improve around the edges.

An encouraging sign for Amen is his improved free-throw shooting. That’s why it baffles me that he is still uncomfortable taking open mid-range shots in the flow of the offseason. Sengun's three-point shooting seems to be mental because he came out this season taking and making more. Now, he’s regressed back into not taking them unless he has to. Smith Jr. has had more big scoring nights this year than he did in his first three years, but they are still not as frequent as they need to be. Eason needs to still learn how to rein in his energy on defense and not foul shooters, but his improved three-point shooting shows a lot of growth from last year.

 

No FVV, No Adams, and Reed sucking it up.

I guess passing the ball to the other team is not good for an offense. Getting offensive rebounds is important. Having a great shooter go Jalen Green (except I don't know if Green had even this bad a stretch) is not good for the offense. Durant and two non-shooters is not enough shooting.

 

Players looked like they just gave up on the season the last two games.

Damn.

 

Why shouldn’t they, the GM did. Anybody see Amen shouting back at Ime last night when Ime starting barking at him when LaMello split a double team? Ime has lost the locker room.

 

Maybe it could be worse without Fred at all.

 

What jumps out is that contrary to what Udoka said, defense is not our problem. Offense is.

 

About what minute mark?

Got the game recorded.

 

Don’t remember, but LaMello had the ball on the sideline, Amen and another player tried to trap him. He split the double team and made a layup. Ime called a timeout and started barking at Amen and Amen barked back. At least that’s what it looked like to me.

 

Ime cannot fix Offense, I am adamant that he is quite inept at that, but Defense he can at least add some wrinkles.

That is why he said what he said.

 

Ime is a “haiku” communicator. Talks in 2-3 word phrases. PROBABLY misses half the locker room. Depends on people being scared of him.

 

Timeout after Melo's floater.. 10-7 score

Normal interaction after a play like that.

Scale
Durant to Sengun - 8
Amen to Ime - 2

Amen seemed engaged on the bench coming from commercial and leaving the bench.

Durant was 2 steps (10) from punching Alpi.

Amen... 2 away from a somewhat shouted, "damn".

 

stop saying Jalen shrunk in playoffs - same issues Rockets offense is having now with lack of adjustments happened vs GS

they doubled / tripled our 3pt attempts and makes almost every game

 

Ime played a role.. but you can't put Green's all-time epic failure mostly on coaching. He had the same coaching regular season.

 

he wasn’t getting blitzed in the regular season - Jesus, our players and GS players said it multiple times … Ime refused to make adjustments, he kept saying that Alpi and Amen was playing 4 on 3 and should win the matchup but Alpi couldn’t score over Draymond or Looney

 

The Rockets can't score.... Ime's response? MOAR DEFENSE!!!

 

Yuck.

 

FG%
.494 - Amen
.450 - Sengun
.372 - Green

Green's decline was clearly worse than Sengun.

Huge Green supporter