There's a player like that on my kids varsity team. Just talk about getting their points or being in that mode. They get benched a lot of the time and they still don't get it. Theyll drive to the rack 1v4 and get block or stripped
He can’t possibly be any worse than Jalen. When Jalen plays bad, he’s the worst starting player in the nba.
Rockets definitely killing Cam's 'tradability' -- he's a keeper for sure there seems to be another one with a low low trade value -- up and down games -- Rockets are consistent on making him inconsistent -- will he be a keeper too
Cam is really in competition with Dillon for a spot next season in 2025-26. Assuming no earth shattering trade, Amen and Tari will be in the rotation getting 30+ minutes a night next year. There's no chance both Dillon and Cam are also getting serious minutes next year. So either: - A) we trade Cam at the deadline or over the summer for some kind of future draft consideration. There's zero chance we bring Cam back for year 3 without a rotation role for him available - B) we sell high and trade Dillon this summer for a future draft pick, in order to clear minutes and salary, opening up a rotation spot for Cam Right now I'd say option A is most likely. But it's highly dependent on what the trade interest looks like for these two.
Not sleeping on Cam. Daddy Udoka giving him some early tough love so he doesn’t have wasted years of development like Jalen Green. I feel like Reed and Cam in particular are in great hands. Patience.
...the writing is on the wall for those who care to read it. Our offense sucks and defense is a priority on Udoka's team and provided we can keep defensive pressure on teams, we can win low, inefficient scoring games if our defense is as dominant as it has been. Cam and Jalen Green certainly are trade fodder in those scenarios unless they can be both above average defensively AND bring something to the table consistently offensively. At this point, defensive consistency and ceiling is more important on this team and if you can't deliver that, then no one cares if you are also inconsistent offensively.
Cam extrapolates out to being better on both ends than Jalen, which is why I believe Jalen is a goner. DD
yeah, but if you want to upgrade a starter, it will likely cost you more than just Jalen to upgrade him. I would imagine Reed is preferential to remain because of the promise of his shooting...that leaves guys like Tate(feels like he could be of use on any contending team - he feels like the ultimate goner here) and Cam at risk to be part of the eventual consolidation move....and to an extent depth guys not in the long term plans like Adams, Landale, etc
Ok, as long the Vipers coaching staff have a plan to teach Cam Whitmore to want to be better on defense. If the current Rockets roster stay healthy, sure I can wait. But count three months, December, January, February. Three months. If by March the Rockets are in contention for a spot in the playoffs, then having a hungry, motivated young player in waiting with long hours of practice under his belt should be able to be ready to suit up just in case injuries unfortunately plague any of the starting five. Having a healthy, motivated roster is the prime ingredient for a playoff team. With Ime Udoka as the coach, you know only good things can happen. Don't trade Cam Whitmore just yet.
In theory. But boy does he look rough when he's actually out there. Should be Jalen's true backup (and heir apparent).
He only played like 10 mins, hard to get going, and he presses too much, he settles down significantly when he knows he is going to play. DD
I see a ton of warning signs with the Rockets offense right now. There is ALOT of FVV iso ball, and that doesn't bode well for how good someone like Cam could look in a few weeks if he gets called up after an injury or something. Ime is a great defensive coach, and I do think he'll push Cam to be a good defender regardless if Cam wants to get minutes doing much of what Amen and Tari are doing. However I would set my expectations really really low for what you'd see consistently from Cam if he gets called up. If he wants to stay in the rotation after he gets his chance, the guy really really needs to be a knock down 3 point shooter, or he needs to be getting ready to play in dunker spot in small ball lineups. This just isn't the type of offense where you could insert a young star in with a fresh opportunity (see Harden here after OKC trade) and see someone flourish as a star guard. Love what the Rockets are doing this season since it is their most competitive since Harden left, but lets be honest... the offense isn't going to make many players look good... ESPECIALLY a young prospect like Cam.
That isn't going to cut it with Ime. Like yesterday I thought Reed was playing really good but got yanked. Ime specifically called out Jalen for going under a screen for Monk. He's a details guy. I don't think he cares if you shoot 1/8 or whatever as long as it was the right shot. He cares if you miss a defensive assignment. He's still young. And he'll either do what Ime wants or be the next D-Mo.
Come on, even if you're benching Green there are way more deserving players than Cam. In NBA minutes this season, Sheppard/Eason/Amen have all been better than Cam at the 2/3. Udoka seems to insist that if you don't play defense, you don't play. So basically Cam has to learn to play defense for the first time in his life just to get minutes. He's actually the only person shooting worse than Jalen Green this season (Cam is of 21 from 3 this season, has struggled since last season). He has the exact same career 3PT% as Jalen right now. They're both in a terrible shooting slump. But in general, you're not getting anything from Cam that Jalen can't give you. Jalen is a FAR better defender and more willing passer. Eason/Amen have earned minutes if they're up for grabs and you can move Brooks to the 2. Can't change the starting lineup on a hunch for a team that's exceeding expectations. Cam is just going to have to take defense and moving the ball more seriously, but I'm sure he'll do it. Just give him time to replace these habits and understand winning basketball better. I think by midseason he'll be more ready to contribute.
