ClutchFans Game Thread: Hornets @ Rockets 11/1/2023

Some thoughts and observations:

• Fred Van Vleet showing why he was worth the money. He was not to blame for being put on big dudes, that was strategy or just bad awareness on switches.
• Jabari & Jalen still do not look like guys that are going to make any sort of leap this year. Green maybe in the clutch department and finishing well around the basket. Jabari needs to work hard on his handles, upper body strength and if he's going to be any kind of serious perennial all-star, LaMarcus Aldridge type to have a better form that is consistent and does not rely on fading away. Jalen similarly though more so getting comfortable with a lot more spots on the floor. You can just see now he's always looking for the same spot and when he gets there, 8/10 he lets it fly, regardless of who's on him, behind him (the block by Hayward on that go-to top of the key extended fade away / leg kick out shot is a prime example) and who else is open or not.
• I am a bit harder on Jabari and Jalen, because now is the time for them to show their worth. They need to be pushed and some of the things I saw in this game are not what you want from these guys. I saw Jabari jabbing at Sengun / Landale for not being behind him to cover for his mistake when he was just flat out beat to the baseline. Several times he wasn't there on time so that's on him. I also did not care for his reaction to Sengun getting a rebound that he wanted. Jalen Green seems to be a bit too Harden like for my taste when he loses the ball or gets beat. One particular instance he passed the ball to Sengun and it got intercepted. Green casually sprinted back and let Sengun take a 2-on-1, which he stopped and then resulted in a put back because Green refused to put in the effort to not only not run back after HIS mistake, but also failing to box out. UNACCEPTABLE!
• Boxing out is an issue that needs to be cleaned up, too much ball watching and not enough awareness.
• Sengun is money, Tate is a hustler, Brooks is a dog and I like how under control he looks most of the time and Holiday was okay in his debut. Some of Brooks turnovers were unacceptable of course.
• We need a proper shot blocking threat, hell McGee would've been perfect, but I wouldn't mind going after a younger big like this Richards fella from the Hornets. Landale and Green are fine in their own right, but we are small as it is, and it's hurting us. This is a priority.
• Amen Thompson's injury is unfortunate, but he needs to go down to the G-League. Those handles just do not cut it. I rather we see what Cam can do, though I don't mind Holiday over him at all. Glad at least Bullock didn't get in the game.
• I trust Udoka's judgment and the whole board going apeshit over no Cam, minutes distribution and all that need to chill.

 

Very nice writeup. We've seen these traits before on Green and Smith so I expect more of this this season. Coaching will help some over time but it's in their DNA so he's going to have a fight. I'd love to see how game film review goes and what/who he calls out.

 

Now you have my attention.

 

56% made 3's.

 

Amen doesn't need to be anywhere near the G-League. He's a plus defender today and probably better at being a deterrent than both Jabari and Jalen. On par with Tari. Better rebounder than Tari as well. He needs reps with real NBA players, not G League time.

The injury isn't *too* bad as it will allow him time to work on his shot some more. He's been a net positive in every game except Orlando. Cam is straight up not ready but also doesn't need G League time. He should come in when the Rockets are up by 25 and can prove he's not a net negative.

Jalen Duren and Derrick Lively. Both picked in the teens. That's what we need with the Brooklyn pick this summer.

 

Many fans only watch one side of the ball. One guy was calling out Amen for standing around. Amen had a terrible, deer in the headlights first game. He was a real positive in the last game before he got hurt. He is already one of our best defenders, is very court aware, grabs rebounds and gets out in transition fast. This injury will slow down his progression, but he is going to be a big part of our rotation this year and will get significant minutes in all games he is healthy. When Amen is in the game, the pace picks up. He and Tari will be incredible off the bench together.

 

Lack of wing depth showed, but we shot the hell out of the ball

 

I really wish any of the players on the court got in Jabari's face over that disgusting non-box out on the free throw - the way Jabari gets in anyone else's face over a perceived error.

The more I see of him the more I don't like him - and it's got absolutely nothing to do with his numbers. Which is pretty much a 180 from where I was regarding him last season.

 

I admire your loyalty sticking with Josh Christopher

 

Thought the overall effort and focus was worse than the SA and GS games, but hot shooting and a bad opponent allowed us to pull it out.

The team is 1-3,but the last 20 minutes of the Orlando game is the only time we've looked like a bad team. The team has been otherwise very competitive

Team could easily be 3-1, but until we find something strong to close with I imagine we're gonna lose a lot of tight games.

 

I'm concerned the game was close given we shot 56% from 3. Which was basically the entire difference from the 1st 3 games where they shot terrible from 3.

 

Team could easily be 0-4 though. Shooting lost the Spurs game, and won this game, so 1-3 actually feels right.

 

How sweet it is!

 

17 TO's and getting 8 shots blocked has something to do with that.

 

It honestly felt lucky to get the win. They aren't going to hit 21 threes every night. The team is ranked 27th in defensive rating and it shows. There were so many missed rotations. I think all of PJ Washington's threes were wide open except for one of his pull ups. There was a missed box out on a free throw that gave Washington an uncontested dunk, which is inexplicable. The offense looks better than last season which is a plus.

 

I basically agree with all of this but I don't think Amen's handles have looked that bad the last three games. They looked terrible the first game, but I think that was largely nerves. He only had 2 turnovers the last 3 games combined and didn't seem that loose with the ball. His handles don't look starting point guard level yet, but they're fine for the role he's being asked to play this season. He's already one of our best defensive players, so I definitely don't want him down in the G-League.

 

“Punk ass b****” is the phrase you’re looking for. Tate and Fred were both yelling at Jabari at different points of the game and Dillon called him out post game when someone asked about the free throw box out and Dillon said it was the same guys making those mistakes over and over. Glad that his teammates are tired of his schtik like we are and holding him accountable. All that high draft pick entitlement crap went out the window with Udoka. Happy to see him play better on offense because boy do we need it to make up for his D.

 

They DO though?

Like can we stop this lol?

FVV was getting on Jabari and Brooks as well. They all get on each other, that's what communication means, they are talking about what went wrong, sometimes its more confrontational, but its communication all the same. I saw Sengun getting on someone after a layup or dunk was given up.

It's good for the team for players to come in and know that they are not supposed to let down their teammates.

Also, no one here knows defensive assignments and what they may be enough to know if lapses are lapses and who is the blame there.

Everyone is creating a perception of the person without knowing him that counters what everyone around him says about his personality. This isn't a KPJ issue, people rave about his personality, that he's a great teammate and hardworker but you wouldn't know it based on what people around here say.

 

We are 1-0 when I’m on p1. just saying