We are a good team, when we play together, but we really aren't a contender until we address some of our flaws. 1. We can't shoot, our guys are not good at shooting the ball, they get wide open looks and can't make them - we need to find some shooting or we are always going to flame out. 2. Our athleticism is below par as a starting unit only Green is a great athlete but his BBall IQ is below most, he is just not a smart ball player, and can't shoot, the team will be better when he is gone. 3. We need a rim protector - and Sengun isn't it....he is a PF trying to play Center - but he just can't stop athletes at the rim...he can't get over his 6" vertical limitation.....Larry Bird had Parish and McHale, we need someone to help mask Sengun's slowness of foot and lack of athleticism. 4. We have no one in the starting lineup that can beat someone off the dribble every time and make a good decision - no one......and that is a problem. The Rox are better, but they need some turnover, we need to move some players and address some of our flaws.....the sooner the better. DD
HaHaHaHa. I knew you couldn't do it, but I don't blame you. I couldn't either. It's ok, we all know alcoholics can have a beer now and then and go right back on the wagon, right?
I am enjoying the ride, but the glaring flaws - and the definition of insanity, trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We need to shuffle the deck. DD
Per the broadcast last night the rockets have by far the most points scored by players 23 and younger. So it is my belief they need more experience and time to improve.
I don't agree with Shaq on a lot of things but what he said about Sengun a couple nights ago isn't wrong. Sengun is a PF being forced to play center. Does he have the range to be a modern PF? no since his 3pter is not there yet. It's kind of like how Kings force Sabonis to play center. Seems like it's a flaw that will only get you so far. Signing FVV and Dilllon was supposed to help our young guys grow up to take over the reigns but all it did was make them rely on those two vets to carry the offense. We still don't have a guard who can run the offense outside of FVV hence why Ime is always playing him late in the 4th even if his shooting is off. IDK what is Stone's plan if FVV isn't here next year. Feels like he has no plan except to extend FVV's contract.
I agree with you by the way. Ime is being too stubborn with his rotations. Just think it's funny you fell off the optimism wagon so quickly. I'm an eternal optimist and enjoyed the ride the last 4 years, believe it or not.
If green could shoot 3s or he could get to the rim scoring efficiently and making good decisions, most of our problems would be solved. That’s pretty much it. Any other upgrade will be way less impactful.
I agree with you it is the biggest glaring issue, if we had Zack Lavine at 51% FG and 41% 3pt in that spot, we would be way better. Hell, Cam Whitmore is shooting 52% FG and 44% 3pt in the Gleague, let's give him a start or two. DD
I see this year as comparable to the 2015 Astros. Others on the board have stated this as well. By 2017, the young Astros had matured and we added more than a couple of important pieces - Charlie Morton, Verlander, and Yuli Gurriel. Then they kept building and replacing and went back to the World Series 3 more times. This year, the goal is to make the playoffs and win a round to get experience for the young guys. Then we start adding this off season. With the poison pill contracts of Jalen & Alpi, no major trade is happening this year - I hope. We obviously need shooting as DD says - either Cam or Reed will become key rotation players like Tari and Amen have become this year or we will be finding substitutes. By 2026/27, when we are really ready to compete, everything should be in place for a long, multi-year run. I just hope Stone & Fertitta don't go all in too early and make bad trades just to marginally upgrade the roster. One shooter by the trade deadline - sending out expiring contracts and 2nd round picks is the most I would do if I were Stone.
Too bad Stone severly limited our flexibility this year with Jalen's extension. I really don't think we have an option on the team to upgrade SG without degrading one of our other positions. We will have to overpay for help during the season, so, therefore, we will do nothing.
Instead of zeroing in on one dude that is Sengoon, ask yourselves why every other dude on this team is so darn inconsistent........or more inconsistent... Alpe's paint game in the 4th is the closest to being a constant bucket........
The biggest flaw is that they get over confident due to how good Sengun is. They start off slow and lazy and if Sengun is not feeling it or hurt they dig themselves into a hole Sengun can't get them out of later in the game...
@DaDakota I don't agree with all of your points, but #1 is so insanely glaringly correct. It's driving so much of their weaknesses. It's also leading to long rebounds the other way, I assume...I don't have data on that, but that's a typical side concern for a team that can't shoot
Shooting. Shooting. Shooting. It's the very foundation of the game of basketball. Every other action taken in basketball is in the service of shooting.
if Sengoon had the flu it wouldn't matter . . . he should still be able to have a Michael Jordan-like flu game and lead the team to victory every night
Problem is that The Bulls accepted MJ was the franchise player, they knew the importance of getting MJ involved early and getting him the ball. The Rockets need to galvanize Sengun's presence early and establish the tempo that best suits Alpi to dominate the game. We have too many hero ballers and 1v1 action when the goal should be getting Sengun the ball down low and letting him cook.
