Amen can't offensively dominate the game...his jumpshot has improved though, but I don't see him being a player we give the ball to and let him go to work in the 4th...he'll be a good Robin to a Batman
I guess we’re talking about two different things then. I don’t think gobert is a transcendent star. If all we’re talking about is a Rudy Gobert tier player then yeah I agree. I just thought we had our sights set higher than that. And about Giannis, yeah, there are some players who can be dominant offensively without a jumper. Giannis is one for sure, so was Shaq, I just don’t see Amen being that kind of guy at his size, so I think he’s gonna need to be a shooter.
Amen should still be 6th man - he needs another off-season putting the work in on his jump shot. That is the only thing holding him back. Get that right and he is our guy. If he can't nail it, we are still looking.
Alpi isn't quite that guy either, yet. However, he's the best player the Rockets have right now for that role. We hope he can grow into a #1 option for a contending team. Personally, I don't think he will and believe the Rockets need to add a perimeter star to close games at a championship level. For my taste, Alpi doesn't handle intense defenses well enough and he needs to improve his decision-making, particular his speed of making decisions. We have a front-row seat to watch him grow the next 3-4 years.
I guess Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace were considered stars as well. Until his (Amen) offensive shot improves......he is a good role player. Backup that has potential to start.
It's funny how all the Rockets draftees became worse shooters despite all looking very good both in their form and results as draft prospects. And here's Amen whose shot looked as broken as a lottery guard prospect can possibly be, and somehow he is clearly developing workable jumpshots both off the dribble and catch and shoot situations.
I don't think we've seen very much of Amen forcing things and being "the guy" at all. He's almost been the coach's pet--doing everything Ime asks him to do and not letting his ego get in the way. I'm not sure we know what he's capable of yet, especially after a few more years of working on his weaknesses, which is absolutely going to happen. It's possible he may take a Kawhi Leonard type path to success, just quietly getting better and better until suddenly he's the best player on a championship team. Or perhaps you're right and he'll always be more of a secondary player. I don't think we'll know for certain until he gets more experience under his belt. He's barely played in more NBA games than your typical rookie starting his second season at this point.
It is not a discussion anymore..Sengun is the future.. only player double teamed, respected and our only all star level player... He is a star.. He has been separated himself from prospects to a new level. Now discussion is on for all other players including Jalen and all others.. they are still prospects...
You guys are weird. Can’t we just be happy to have two promising potential stars who also happen to play well together? Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
If you watch any team's broadcast they don't even mention Green or Amen, they mention Sengun... He is the guy they are scared of, The Rockets should release a statement and make it clear who they are building around....
That is an acceptable and imo mostly accurate opine on Alpi. His processing speed isn't slow, but maybe his reaction to such is slow. Either way, it is a detriment and I hope he can improve upon it. Reps will help, for certain. What will help, exponentially, is an Amen threat with the ball. Above all needs on the team, I believe Amen needs as many ball reps as possible. I couldn't care less about the wins and losses now. He needs to be the main focus as the tip of the spear.
Yes but not yet. I think one more summer and we'll be there. I'm happy whether he starts or comes off the bench as long as he gets starter minutes, but I do not believe this is the right time to shift from this FVV-addicted team to what would require a whole new system. That's something you can do with the benefit of a training camp. More importantly, I think people don't realize FVV is our best shooter despite his recent struggles. No one one the team has ever taken his volume of 3's successfully and he's done high volume 3's across multiple seasons. Jabari and Dillon are peaking right now at just 5ish attempts per game. It's not comparable. Why would I not want him on the floor with Amen?? He's perfect to guard the shortest player, be a mostly off ball shooter and a steady pair of hands when we need some safe basketball. Amen can run the point at a high tempo from the 2 or 3 or 4 easily. I get that Dillon is on fire and FVV is struggling badly, but FVV is the better fit with Amen/Green/Sengun. Just his role has to change a bit. Be patient, it's inevitable. An extra 4 minutes per game in his second season is going to be a dot in the big picture of his stardom. No one will even remember it, won't change his destiny at all.
