Yeah, I don't like Jalen playing the PG role. That's not how he is wired. Crunch time needing a bucket is fine. Turning him into the backup PG is not a good idea. I was hoping Shepperd would gradually grow into that and reduce the reliance on FVV. But Ime scratched that idea after just two games.
He finally has somewhat of an NBA body. Some of us preached patience with him. A lot of his missed baskets in the paint were due to the lack of strength and not knowing how to use his body up top. You can see the difference this season, just adding a bit of muscle and strength the last couple pf years has made all the difference. Look how he leans into the defenders on drives now. The kid is confident now and is only going to get better.
I agree but I do think he will be able to do it next season. Game has to slow down one more level for him. Is FVV, Sengun, Green, Amen and Reed really not enough playmakers? Maybe we're not using what we have very efficiently or spreading them out properly. A lot of times it's just not good enough spacing. We should be fine even without Reed as our 5th playmaker. I think a lot of this feeling of needing more playmakers is because the offense is quite messy. Hopefully that continues to improve.
Reed will be in the G league in 7 days as soon as the season starts. Gotta cut him some slack though - his body still needs to fill out to be effective and be undersized like FVV AND there is the small fact that Reed has been a SG up until this point so although he has the skills to be a PG, he is still learning what that means - in real time, on an NBA court. Its going to take a few years at least before he could be a legit starter as a PG - you just hope he finds ways to start showcasing that shot sooner so that he can add value as our backup PG/situational shooter while he is learning the ropes as a PG and strengthening his body to be able to stand up to NBA defenders.
Considering the Rockets 7 drafted players have played less seasons and games than Jeff Green has total. They will continue to improve hopefully substantially these next 3 seasons.
I genuinely think that when he does get his spot minutes they should do more to leverage that one skill he has that SHOULD be above average in the NBA regardless. Play him as an undersized SG coming off screens on the perimeter for open shots. He's probably the guy on the roster who'd benefit the most from us trying to do some off-ball movement and actions in the offense.
I don't expect Reed to be a starter any time soon. But having 15 min a game behind FVV would be good for his development. Playing in the G-league for a short time is fine. But I doubt that it will help him learn much. He already showed in SL and preseason that he could do well against lesser competition. He needs reps on the big boys level. I get why the coach doesn't trust him. He needs to win games. I feel that Ime is too conservative about resting the starters, especially the vets. He kept the starters long after the game was decided in the Memphis blowout. In the Dallas game, even when the starters were not functioning well in the 4th quarter, he refused to put in Amen and Tari to change the momentum until almost too late.
For what its worth - it feels like there have been a lot more sets with Jalen running through off ball screens of late - honestly to have Reed run through similar would be a good idea.
Yeah it's still super primitive, but it does certainly look like they're at least trying to throw more actions and wrinkles out there to get stuff going. I just wish they'd hire an assistant tbh who's a real X's and O's guy.
Green is making winning plays at key moments. The two consec shots in the 4th that put us up 11 after a Dallas run saved this team. The big 3 at the end also was key. These are winning plays in big moments and Green is evolving into that go to guy in front of our eyes.
