ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Spurs 10/26/2024

First off, Sengun didn't play well in the 2nd half of game 1. And in this game, it was more of the same. I think the coaches want him to take more 3s, stop pump faking, rebound better and play better interior defense. That's why they sent coaches to work with him this summer.


Personally, I think Sengun would fit better with a team like Phoenix or Golden State. An older team who moves and who has shooters. With this team, he is a bad fit.

Also, I think the Rockets coaches are stressing to the team to shoot more 3s. Their offense last yr was antiquated. They played for 2s.

 

Jalen passed it behind him. Terrible pass. The lob was there but the passing window directly to Cam was way too small for Jalen's abilities.

 

Bro was just aiming it. Those weren't even good misses. Completely measured then and clanked both

 

He looks sped-up like he doesn't know what to do; missing shots he normally would make, and making bad decisions with the ball.

However, the defense is really focusing on him. Sending doubles, collapsing to the paint when he makes his move, and denying him post posistion. Alp at times was posting from just within the three point line.

Let's see if he adjusts to how the defense is keying in on him or if Ime can make some offensive adjustments.

 

Some players play with a natural high intensity, like Cam and Tari and some don't, like Sengun. I think Sengun is naturally a slow starter, a pace type player. He prefers to play at his pace, not rushed. That's the way he was taught since was a teenager.

I don't fault him, it's the Rockets fault. The want him to do something and be something that he is not! Many NBA players are miscasted.

 

EXACTLY! He looked sped -up all night! Like I just said, I don't think the fast pace plays to his strengths. He's more of a half court player but the Rockets want to run.

 

On the bright side we are getting some entertainment after a bad loss

 

Man, I was so mad at Jabari last night. I know he's so much better than that. It's like he left his shot at Auburn.

To me, I look at his form and it's not the same as it was at Auburn. It's not as smooth, straight as it use to be.

 

I was battling those Spurs fans last night! They were nervous when we made our come back. If Jabari would have made those shots or Cam not turn the ball over, we would've had that game

 

At least we kept it close and Green and the team will need to learn from those 2 crucial mistakes at the end. Making a pass without looking up and Jabari was way more of a logical choice than Cam makes it a double mistake. Back-to-back of course influenced this to a degree, but there was no reason to lose this game. Ime’s post game conference doesn’t diminish my concerns, in fact quite the opposite. Our offensive strategy is a serious issue and if Tilman and everyone expects play-offs, then Ime damn well be prepared to throw in some wrinkles or completely different sets, because this simplistic ass offense is not going to cut it. Glad Ime didn’t agree with b2b being a big deal, since they are young and should be ready. Sengun was really disappointing this game, I think he’s in his head and or forcing things too much.

 

Agree. It also seemed that Alpi kept looking at the bench quite a bit in the past three games. He didn't make decisive and purposeful moves like in the past season and had been tentative so far. Could it be that the three coaches sent to work out with him over the summer have over-coached him and had 3 plus different voices constantly in his ear during that period? Just a suggestion for Alpi to try, just play the game the way you played using your high IQ and what you learned yourself from the experience of playing 3 years in the NBA. F the coaches and do what you do best, passing, driving decisively with purpose, and just play your game the way you know how to. Tell the coaches to go shove it when they yell at you or say bs to you. For what can they do to you more than bench you and make the team suffer as a result? Trade you? Tell them to go ahead and do what they want to do, but go play and do everything to make the team win and do what made you the player you were and even better. Demand from your teammates to get you the ball where you think you can do more damage and have them ready to cut and get passes under the basket or outlet passes. Practice defensive principles for your center position and improve your timing. Let the chips fall where they may. Ime and the coaches should also cut down their coaching of him and tell him to not keep looking at the bench. He should get all the preparation and instructions from the coaches before games and let him be during the game. This might also be done for most of the other players. Reed must also stop being tentative and keep looking for passes even when he has a chance to shoot. His form is still excellent but it seems like he is not confident taking the shot and would rather defer to his teammates. He was drafted to shoot and he should keep looking for his shots in his limited minutes on the court. His passing is great but that should be his second option when he has the ball. Reed, just shoot the ball for that is what you do best.

 

Absolutely this. Alpi should also stop looking at the bench to listen to the coaches during the game. He should just trust his instincts that have been honed by three years of NBA experience and rely on his high IQ and just play. He has been very tentative and is allowing himself to be pushed around by smaller opponents. He should make his moves decisively and forcefully and live with whatever happens, forget the coaches. They need to prepare you and give you all the necessary instructions and get out of your way during the game. Everyone makes mistakes and don't be afraid to make them when you play. Tell the coaches to shove it and F it if they keep yelling at you during the game. What can they do to you anyway? They can bench you and have the team suffer more or trade you? Tell them to go ahead and do what they want to do. Tell yourself that you will play the way you did when you were playing close to being an all star and even improve on that. Work on your timing on defense and keep practicing the principles of how centers should defend both individually and within the team context. Ime and the coaches need to let him be during the game and only give minor instructions especially to tell him what the other team is doing and how to adjust. Then let him play.

 

The coaches who worked with Alpi over the summer may have filled his ears and his mind with different voices that have resulted in making him keep thinking instead of just playing the way he knows how during games. He looks very tentative, over-thinking, and constantly looking at the bench as if he always waits to hear from the coaches. Even his timing seems affected by over-thinking. He should just get his preparation and instructions from the coaches and let him play during the game without constantly being in his ear. Ime should just let him loose and get back to playing the way he knows how to play which was pretty effective. Alpi, just tell the coaches to sit down and shut up during the game and just allow him to play basketball. Let Alpi be Alpi. Reed, for his part, should also stop being indecisive and just shoot the ball when open, and find ways to get open so he can shoot. He seems to be tentative and would rather pass than shoot. He should remind himself that he was drafted for his shooting skills and all the other aspects of his game should be secondary to his primary role. It will take time for him to develop his other skills anyway, although he has great passing skills too. Reed, just shoot it and let the chips fall where they may. The more confident and decisive you are with your shot, the more you and the team will be successful. The good thing is it is just the start of the season and adjustments in their offense and defense can be done without sacrificing the team's overall success. Just my thoughts.

 

Lol. For Jalen's abilities?? Lol....you're saying he can't pass?

 

He's not all that good at it, I don't think that's controversial.

He has done a much better job of it the past 2 games, and deserves praise for it, but he's not a natural passer and the pass to Cam that would have won the game was a bad pass. It is what it is.

 

Could the pass been better yes but I still think Cam should have caught it. Either way, they lost.

I think the game was lost however when Jabari missed his two shots at the end.

 

While I don't agree with your overall assessment, I do agree with your initial take that the coaches who worked with Alpi during the summer make have him over thinking.

But like I said previously, I think the Rockets want him to play a way, different than what he is use to, which is the problem.

 

Think I might have to block hlmbasketball... getting almost as annoying as BTG with the "always the same sh*t" posting

you've read one post you've read 'em all

 

- The Rockets do not play better basketball without Sengun (that's what you're suggesting naming the stretch of last season). Are they a better defensive team without Sengun? Maybe, but so are without Green, being Green a worse defensive player than Sengun. So are the Nuggets without Jokic. (...)

- Of course Green performs better doing whatever he wants, but guess what, Sengun performs worse that way, being the better player, so overall that's not a good trend for the team. Sengun is a better offensive player than Green. Long term data supports that, the whole league knows it. It's not about one game or about a stretcht.

- Houston offensive game is heavy on p&r's. Sengun is a very good player off pick&rolls. Rockets should also use him as a Sabonis/Jokic from the elbow/low post, something that would benefit multiple Rockets players. Udoka has to manage how to play an up tempo style when is possible, but also take advantage of Sengun's talents at positional offense. Positional offense happens when transitional offense couldn't happen. It's OK the Rockets try to run, get a quick good shot, and Sengun can also fit there since he runs the court better than many big men and has the ability to rebound and launch the fastbreak putting the ball on the floor. But once the team is at positional offense, is not about trying a quick shot, it is about effectiveness. Quick -or bad- 1on1s / jumpers are not effective unless you're a superstar. P&r's are appropiate for Sengun, dribble handoffs are so (even though we should improve the spacing of these), but some elbow sets around Sengun would impoove the whole offense.

- Eason, Whitmore, Sheppard, Brooks, Fred, Amen, Jabari... they all fit very well onto that kind of sets. Green alse does, since he's a super quick player who reads the game properly off the ball.

We're not talking about using Sengun like he's Yao Ming. He can play there, but has the ability to help you in many more ways. It is Udoka's responsability to find out how. We knew that would be his biggest challenge for this year and will have to overcome it.

 

I know the truth hurts but what you want me to do.... LIE to you, to make it sound FLY to you??