The "franchise player" debate has been settled. It's Amen.

Yes, if you never watched either of them play and judged Amen based on that one stat alone, then exactly.

 

And Marion's athleticism is the Walmart version of Amen's. I don't understand the comp at all. They are totally different players.

 

Respectfully, i couldnt disagree more... lol

I disagree with this whole concept that KD somehow inhibits other guys growth... KD takes up a certain amount of possessions - but he's not a heliocentric player like harden was where everything goes through him... There are plenty of opportunities for guys like Amen to assert themselves... if anything, I think KDs gravity provides other guys more opportunities - hence Amens post all-star performance... is it a coincidence that Amen took off as teams started pressing and double and triple teaming KD? The only knock u could give would be that someone like Amen doesnt get experience facing double teams - as true stars often do... KD should not be playing the minutes that he does at 38. If he were scaled back to a reasonable level, that would theoretically give Amen more opportunities to face double teams - but teams arent going to do that based on his poor shooting...

Idk how he shoots in practice... but I dont believe his shooting improvement is something that can only be obtained in actual game scenarios...

I love Amen... I really appreciate his defensive effort and tenacity... but until he becomes a better shooter, he will not be a franchise guy.

 

I believe the goal is a championship...

 

and thats why i'm fine moving Alpi for a better rim protector... I dont even care about this whole stretch 5 fixation - but u gotta have a better rim protector on a championship squad...

 

If the Rockets really believe that Bricklayer is their franchise guy then it’s time to put up and completely build around him.

He’s a historically bad outside shooter so shooting in other spots must be at a premium. We need to purge all non shooters from the roster.

 

If youre betting on Amen then you need to go "all in" and build the team around him. Right now its just a tweener team built kind of around Durant and kind of around Amen and kind of around Fred.

I dont know why the Rockets are so afraid to pick a direction. Theyre like those girls that go on Tinder dates but dont want to commit because theyd have to close their Tinder account then.

 

Thompson needs to be given at least this season to be starting PG. The system around him may not be able to be ideal immediately but we will be able to tell what we have as far as him bring A) Our Primary option and B) The PG of the future. How good does the 1B have to be?

I am a big believer. Even if one is not, this is the right thing to do this year. Get a bunch of data with him and Reed together.

Smith
Durant(more time behind the 3P line, less in midrange when Amen is on the court)
Reed
Amen

Just needs a center that can shoot OR support the lineup enough where Smith can get by at the 5 (cough, Ausar, cough). Even if Alpi was starting, a good offensive coach could probably make it work easy. Doubtful with Ime so I think Sengun gets dealt.

 

Add to that that they are also giving Sengun his touches.

 

Yep for a team that said Amen is untouchable they did absolutely nothing to help build a team around him. You already had zero spacing with Sengun/Amen but you double downed on that and signed Smart who kills your spacing even more. Amen might not look very good this season.

 

Amen is not a PG…he does not have the handles or court vision, and he’d be the worst shooting PG in the NBA

I really hope the Rockets don’t go this route and try to force guys to be something they’re not

How many times in NBA history have y’all seen somebody who’s not a PG come into the league and be developed into one? And he’s going into his 4th season now

 

It was the right thing to do last year, but they didn’t do it. Now with FVV and signing Smart, it’s going to happen this year?

 

I was never in on Amen as a PG. He’s going into his 5th or 6th season of professional basketball. What we’re seeing as far as his playmaking abilities are likely the peak. It would look better if Stone and Patrick prioritized shooting and not bricklaying. Even hardheaded Ime alluded to this at the end of the season.

 

No the F he is not the Franchise player. I also really hope the Rockets aren't planning on building around him. He's a good player to have on your team right now but when his athleticism is gone and he still can't shoot what does he become? This team is built for 2006 not 2026. They are not only 1 decade behind the evolution of the game but 2.

 

Amen does fine with setting people up. He hasn't gotten near enough opportunities. The proper shooters are needed. Just like his FT shooting, everything else will fall in. Let Reed get enough opportunities to where maybe he ends up showing as the PG answer.

We don't have other options. I believe Amen can average 26/9/8.
We should at least find out.

 

He was the starting PG all last year. He had more opportunity than any legit PG prospect could possibly ask for and he rarely set up anyone on the team for easy buckets. Much of that is (as we've all said endlessly) was Ime's total lack of offensive schemes, some of it was due to the lack of reliable shooting, but a significant part of it was also Amen's limitations. In today's NBA game, any perimeter player who cannot shoot will have his man sag back on defense into the paint while all the other defenders will stay at home with their cover as there's no need to double a non-shooter on the perimeter.

Amen is a forward who should be playing the dunker's spot - period. He's not a PG and never will be.

 

If you think Amen played pg you don’t know what a pg is. Kd and Sengun played pg for the rockets all year long. Just bringing the ball up the court is not playing pg.

 

Amen has to be better. Stop passing behind the glass, you're right there for a layup.

Rondo couldn't shoot but he didn't pass up freebies.

 

You’re right - it is more than bringing the ball up the floor and Amen showed that’s about all he’s capable of doing on ball. He can’t run a pick and roll, he can’t direct the offense and his passes are rarely more than the obvious ones.

Again, last year was as good of a chance as any for Amen to show he could run an offense - there was literally no competition and the main offensive weapons were forwards. The only thing that could have made it easier for him (besides not backsliding on his 3 pt shot) would have been a better coach, but I guarantee you the average or better Pgs would have run the offense better than Amen did. It’s just not in his DNA.

And I’d think really hard about throwing shade after you posted that fake data on Jabari in the other thread. Post less and read more.