As we all know, the season is going to start on Friday against the Spurs. Strange that we’re only playing 81 games this year, but it’s like that sometimes. There are several things that I would like to see from our young players—things that would assure me at the end of the year that our tanking was worth it. 1. Jalen Green: Semi-efficient shooting splits (something like 44/35/79) and improved awareness on the defensive end. We know he can get twenty every night, but is it at the expense of our offense? 2. Alperen Sengun: also improved awareness on the defensive end, and maybe one or two attempted threes a game. His defense has looked way better during the preseason but he’s still pump faking to nowhere on the three-point line. 3. Jabari Smith Jr.: Heralded as a defensive stud coming out of college, I’ve yet to see him dominate a game on the defensive end. The effort isn’t the issue, it’s strength and positioning. I also haven’t seen his vaunted catch-and-shoot skills translate into being a true shooting threat yet. Let’s see if he can average over 38% from three on his usual attempts. 4. Amen Thompson: He’s a projected project rookie so I want to give him some leeway. I hope that by the end of the year his jump shot will be more serviceable than it is now, and I hope he has some crazy highlights while playing hard on defense. I don’t have much to say about Tari and Cam, they already excel at what they do and have a pretty set role on the team—Tari as the ultimate hustle guy and Cam as (hopefully) instant offense at any time. I’ll probably have forgotten that I’ve made this thread by the end of the season, but I remember I’ll definitely check in to see if my hopes have been realized. What about y’all? Do you think my expectations are realistic, and is there anyone else that you have high hopes for?
Outside of Sengun and Tari, we drafted quite a few "high end" projects. Jalen and Jabari lacked size and strength. Amen can't shoot etc. The spurs draft projects but have a plan and system in place to develop them. We did not. Tearing everything down and starting from scratch was never going to be pretty. That being said I still have high hopes for everyone we drafted. I will judge them after after they have had a chance to get coached up on both ends. One game didn't destroy any hope that I have for any of them. I also believe that Cam will get a legit chance to contribute this year. Our second unit lineups have atrocious spacing and lack anyone who can get their own shot consistently. Even though he has a lot to learn, his skill set will be needed.
this is what I needed to see from the guys this season Jalen: 24, 4, and 4 on 44/36/80 splits Jabari: 17, 7, and 2 on 46/37/82 splits Amen: 10, 5, and 4 on 46/24/70 splits Sengun: 17/10/4 on 55/34/74 splits whether or not these are realistic, it’s the baseline level of production I’d have been satisfied with coming into this season
I expect Sengun to be a perennial allstar. That’s the only expectation I have, for the other young guys it’s just hopes.
When did Amen become a project? Wasn't this kid was supposed to the clear #2 pick this draft. Are #2 picks projects all of a sudden? Most NBA ready, top pure athelete, pure point guard the moment he steps on the court? Smoke? Smoke?
Jalen is going to be fine this year, he will average over 20 points per game his concerns are defense and being efficient. Amen was just nervous, his mind was going 100 mph while his body was at 85 mph…he will be fine. Sengun and Tari will always be solid just needs the minutes. The BIG, SCARY PROSPECT is Jabari! He is not a elite defender…..too skinny to make a stop at the post…..average shooter. on a Championship team, we already have the #1, #2 and #3 option: #1= Amen Thompson….once he become a good shooter….he will dominate on the offense and defense side #2= Jalen Green…prime scorer in the league #3= Alphren Sengun…elite BBall IQ, elite passer, great low post moves and physical. Tari is a 3/D player but we need a elite shooter and shot blocker off the bench
Jabari Smith has to start working harder for rebounds. Last year Silas had the team all-in focused on rebounding, which led to lots of transition points for opponents, but also kept the Rockets closer than they should have been in a lot of games with those second-chance points. Udoka has clearly told the guards to get back in transition defense, which means Jabari has to be right there in the paint putting a body on someone and using that 6'11" height and long arms to grab rebounds. My expectation for the youngins is that I need Jabari Smith to start bullying people in the paint and seizing the rebounds that belong to him.
Jabari needs to lift some heavy ass weights to pack on slabs of muscle. Stop with this yoga turning into a pretzel stretch nonsense.
My expectation is that jalen and jabari will underachieve all year because they just aren't very good.
i expect 42 wins. sudoku lost the first game on purpose to hide this team's true potential so other teams take it east come playoffs
I thought they were just too good and only have compassion with the other star players so let them win.
From everything I read, Amen was considered less NBA ready than Wemby and Scoot, and most people had Miller ahead of him too. I think his ceiling is the second highest in the draft tho
Because he's an athletic freak that can't shoot and with questionable handles. He is pretty good around the rim but right now its an issue for him getting to the rim without turning it over. His shot HAS improved a lot though but it was at such a low level that it's just good to see he can make FTs.
Tari has the fewest question marks. It's hard not to be satisfied with his game even if he doesn't have the upside of some of the others. And you know he's going to at least give a full effort every night.
That's because you were reading fud. Amen was a 10+ ranked prospect by the smart money. Now the Amen homers can't defend their boy who they deemed a generational pure point guard, looking lost like a scrub out there
Jabari and Sengun are the two players that make our offense go. Both players can be DOMINANT at their positions. Our offense depends on Green, Sengun and FVV. Jabari, Tari and Dillion Brooks…..we have a good team but we need a good shooter and interior defender off the bench…..Stone has more work to do….we need to trade for Alec Burks and Robert Williams for Portland
