KPJ: Can someone explain to me why he has become Clutchfans favorite whipping boy?

Until KPJ comes back.

 

They can build around Jokic because he is so good at offense his defensive deficiency is worth taking on.

I wouldn't build around Sabonis because his offense is not good enough, mainly because he can't shoot outside of 10 ft. So you can't just put a Capela type defensive big to cover for him. I wouldn't build around the current Sengun either because of the same reason. As the poster I replied to pointed out, if that defensive big could also shoot, then spacing wouldn't be a huge problem. If Sengun can shoot from outside, his offense will be close to Jokic's level. Then his defense would not matter that much. If he can't then you will need a guy like a developed Jabari (not the current Jabari).

So what you are saying is correct only if these guys stay where they currently are and do not improve. But hey, as the saying goes, they are only 20 years old. We can still hope.

 

I mean Sabonis is in his 6th year, 26 years old and isn't even remotely close to being good enough. If you think Sengun can completely blow him out of the water then maybe it could be possible. Jokic is a one of one type so i'm not really going to compare any prospect to that because it's silly. Sabonis leads the league in rebounding and has a 67 TS%, he's legit awesome, but if the goal is to compete for titles i have no interest in maxing someone like that.

 

Saying that these guys have no chance of being superstar is as silly as saying that they already are superstar. Sabonis at 26 has reached his prime. Sengun and Jabari at 20 are far from reaching their prime.

 

But what will make sengun WAY better then sabonis?

 

Jump shot from range will go a long way

 

I already said it. Outside shooting. Sengun doesn't have it. But how do you know he won't?

 

How is a fan of their hometown team for 40+ years a hater for wanting what's best for the team? It's called being a fan AND having the brain to know when things are sadly what they are. Some are blind to it. Who's hating?

 

A couple of weeks ago on The Mismatch, Chris Vernon was talking about how much players love Jeff Green. Paraphrasing here, but he basically talked about how all these NBA guys play with each other over the summer. He speculated that guys like Jeff Green are awesome in these runs, but their games don't translate into the more structured NBA environment. When I heard that, I thought of KPJ.

He shows flashes of being a superstar at his peaks and out of the league at any minute in his valleys.

I think one of the worst things that can happen to a player's development is constantly having to look over your shoulder if you screw up.
This is especially true when you are learning a new position.
Markkenan mentioned something about that as a reason for his success in Utah this season. Previously, due to injuries and a short hook, he was overly concerned about missing shots, etc.

With KPJ, I think the Rockets have realized they either have to be all in or all out (for now). They structured his deal to basically be one year at time, so they can change direction pretty painlessly. For that to be truly beneficial, they need to figure out whether he is what they think he can be. Lean all the way in and see if he figures it out. Being wishy washy would just prolong the question.

After the draft, I was really pumped because we got Smith and I thought he was the perfect fit for our other core pieces.
In my head, running 2 interchangeable 6'5" combo guards through pick n roll/pop actions with a passing savant big man, with a 3pt shooting rim protector spacing, was just missing a solid 3&D forward from being a very dynamic young core. (Keep working on that shot Tari Eason)

 

Well thought out response. KPJ won't be part of the future for any winning team in my opinion. If you want to bring him off the bench I'm fine with trying that.

Sengun is our best player. Unfortunately, Jalen has regressed which is unfortunate. KPJ will always be the same guy. A me first ball stopper who plays for himself. That's why ai always compared him to Crawford

It makes no sense to trade Sengun. He's the only bright spot on the team at the moment.

 

Strangely enough, you can call 80% of the NBA Players ball stoppers. I like Sengun, he plays basketball the correct way but he's not a cornerstone player. He's not athletic and he's too short for the position.

If he were 2 - 3 inches taller and more athletic, I could agree with SOF Nation but he's not.

 

Like you are some expert on what's best for the team.

Keep drinking your Haterade

 

That's your opinion. There's no set standard height to b a successful center. American casuals r so dead set on a specific height and being athletic as the main attributes of a center.

 

Hey Duuumass... How many fans are experts?

I know you think you are, but you're blind to reality so???

 

What are you asking me here?

You notice I never claim to know what the solutions are, I know I am not an expert unlike some of you.

 

We will see how the season plays out. The kings also don't have Jabari who in 3 years will be a much better defender than anyone in their roster. Rockets can put out a pretty decent defensive lineup around Sengun, but they choose to trot 3 shooting guards out there and amplify our crappy defense. If they continue to be that stubborn might as work embrace the offense. KPJ Gordon and Green should never be on the floor together.

 

Hopefully this is a roundabout way to keep him out for the rest of the season so our young players finally have a chance to develop