Over the next couple of weeks I want you all to remember who your coach is before you throw out these weird draft takes. You are not drafting for a Stephen Silas team anymore. I think this is where the confusion comes in. Udoka is not gonna just draft any ol' player just to appease clueless fans. He's not gonna hug and cry with players and fans. He wants to win now. Like right now. Please. Remember that.
Its a difficult decision. Let's not pretend it's easy. Amen's ceiling of what he is capable of doing especially on defense is much higher than Brooks but Ime has to evaluate the shooting balance and spacing on the court for the starting line up. Brooks is a streaky inconsistent shooter but at least he's inconsistent rather than completely incapable of outside shooting like Amen. We can't pretend to ignore that Sengun and Amen together on the court can severely hamper spacing and lead to long scoring droughts. It's a genuine concern.
Amen was the catalyst for our new found transition game. His defense, rebounding (especially offensively), and court vision far outweigh Brooks occasional hot shooting night. Brooks defense and 3 pt shooting went down hill as the season progressed. The shooting will come in time, but if Jalen finally shoots well and Jabari continues to improve, it is ok to have 2 guys that are not proficient 3 pt shooters in the game. Brooks needs to be traded.
Amen wouldn't have been in the starting line up playing the dunker spot role if Sengun didn't go down. I really hope it works. But it's definitely a valid concern.
Sure it’s a valid concern, but defense is played 50 percent of the time. 3 or 4 3 pts shots they go in at around 36% does not outweigh Amen’s defense, rebounding and fast break game. Brooks is the worst rebounder, I’ve ever seen at his size. If Amen can start hitting corner 3’s at over 30% (also a real possibility) the argument is completely moot.
3pt shooting: FVV - Good Green - Bad Amen - Bad Bari - Average Sengun - Bad There is no way we get better when the above is the case. Its not just about Amen's good qualities outweighing Brooks good ones, its about what opposing defenses are going to see. And if I were coaching a opposing defense, you could sag every guy except the one guarding FVV and Bari (if he is hot that night) towards the middle for help. When that happens, our offense will be bad. There will be no lanes to drive in and anybody trying to is going to get dbl teamed immediately. There will be no room to operate close to the paint. Now, if Amen and Green get their 3pt shooting going, then things change dramatically. But until then, Brooks has to start to keep defenses honest.
Let me tell you no team is game planning to sag off Green. You show me individual clips of defenders missing assignments and sagging off the wrong guy well i can show you clips of defenders sagging off Curry also but obviously it was a defensive mistake. NBA teams don't scout who to sag off on based in purely 3 pt fg%. They sag off based on reputation. Hence why even though Sengun and Green have similar 3 pt percentages they are guarded entirely different when they are beyond the 3 pt line. NBA team defenes understand Jalen is someone you don't want to see make 2 3s in a row for example. They know he is someone who can hit 5 threes on you in a 2 minute span. There is zero fear of that with guys like Amen and Sengun.. NBA team defenses do not want Jalen to get a rhythm from 3 or else they know that he becomes practically ungradable when he's "feeling it". Jalen is not a problem when it comes to spacing. Teams fear Green going hot from three. That fear does not exist with Amen or Sengun so they are always comfortable sagging off them even if they hit one in a row. They''ll do that hand wave thing where they taunt the guy to shoot. They ain't doing that with Green,
Lmao....Brad Stevens deserved that ring, obviously Jeff Van Gundy has a ring now and Cassell more rings. Ime obviously did good work but he had 2 FMVP potentially type of material. Brad Stevens was going to be the one they promoted heavily and then he stuck around long enough to see this through.
Ime has nobody to blame but himself. Ime Udoka reputation would've been cleaner and already a Championship Head Coach leading a Dynasty with Joe Mazulla as a Assistant. Give credit to Joe he deserves it and much more. Mallika Andrews can kiss Joe Mazulla Championship Ring. Shame on Mallika.
I hope Udoka won't get too salty and force Stone to trade all assets for star to try to compete next season. I want to give the young cores few years to grow together. The two Jays played together for 7 years.
The Rockets were 26th in offense with Brooks on the floor. He is not a floor spreader. Amen’s offensive rebounding alone makes up for Brooks hitting a couple of 3’s a game. Factor in the easy baskets from transition that his defense and fast break ball handling creates, it makes up for the very limited floor spacing that Brooks gives you. Brooks also can’t break down a half court defense off the dribble and is a terrible passer. We do need better shooting from Amen and Sengun, but it is far more important for Jalen to become an average 3 pt shooter and Bari and above average 3 point shooter and to continue to play fast, fast, fast.
I am not saying Brooks is a better player than Amen. I am saying you cant have 3 bad shooters on the floor at the same time.
