Building around Paolo and we’re gonna LOVE it! The Chet-ites, Jabronis, and PoisonIvey are gonna have to get over it.
And most importantly the roster seems balanced. I'd still like to see more of a rim protector out of Sengun but maybe in time that will come around. He is very aggressive and tries to get those blocks and is only 19 so he has lots of room to grow.
I'm ready to see Paolo don a Rockets jersey, go out there and put someone on a poster (preference would be Draymond Green), and hear Ryan Hollins yell out something like "Draymond just got a plate of Huevos Banchero"
Sengun's defense is underrated. He's never going to be elite but the kid is very smart and wants to play defense--both qualities alone will make him an average NBA defender at the very least.
Yes the offense with Wood and Banchero would be really good, possibly elite. The defense on the other hand
Paolo is carrying some baby fat, but he's just a thick boy. He could benefit from a lifting routine that ideally would get him to lean down to around 230 to help him out with some of his foot speed issues (in my opinion at least).
Paolo definitely has some bulk and carrying some baby fat. Lot of muscle but has some puffiness too. Body fat % is somewhere in the double digits. His body type has a propensity for gaining weight, similar to Barkley and Zion. Probably not quite to their extent, but he will be one of those players that will need to work to stay somewhat reasonable weight. If he can get to around 225-230, I think he can play more wing.
This is not a knock on Paolo, asking a serious question. Offensively, what is the difference between Jovic and Paolo? Playmaking?
Paolo has some Draymond in him in terms of being able to communicate on defense. As bad as he may seem to some defensively the plan for Duke was to funnel everyone into Williams. Paolo did "OK" in a help role and is not nearly the dud in space. If Jabari is getting the benefit of the doubt of a + defender in the NBA then Im comfortable expecting Paolo to do the same.
A reminder that there is no need for the Rockets to draft for fit or need at this point. Even Ivey should be on the table if you feel he’s the best talent at #3. Ivey and Green playing off of Sengun would be a ton of fun.
If Paolo shoots better and isn't bad defensively in the NBA, his ability to work starting further from the basket gives him a ton of upside IMO. Sengun, I think he's a more efficient player right now, though more dependent on teammates to get him ball a little closer to the basket.
Right, but Paolo also already has that skill. He’s more polished. If Alp develops more face up game and shot then he would be nasty. I’m saying there’s more room for growth with Alp vs Paolo. That doesn’t mean either doesn’t have upside. Just that Alp has more, but with that comes more room for a lower floor.
That is the vision. Sengun is a throwback to post play. He can get to the rim at will once he starts his post moves deep usually resulting in a lay in. This team DESPERATELY needs a guy who is good at entry passing which Paolo is elite at. Senguns game for me is not a face up game in the scoring sense like Paolos is. He operates top of the key when he wants to initiate as a passer and guess what Paolo could drop down and work post or clear out and play a true 5 out offense. The PNR between these two would be nice. Actually the PNR for EVERYONE on the team suddenly improves with Paolo due to his great screen setting and ability to work both roles. Gone would be the matador screens that Wood sets. Pick and pop with these guys would be great. Another aspect is unlocking Scooter. Get him more off ball into a spot shooter where the metrics say he's one of the best. Let him stop overthinking his point guard role and not feel added pressure of playmaking. Focus on good defense and making the open shots that will be abundant.
