ClutchFans Game Thread: Grizzlies @ Rockets 1/13/2025

That Amen block on Morant was super human

 

Green unlocks himself, he already unlocked before during March even before Amen was drafted.

Regardless, like I said who starts isnt as important as time on the court. Starting or not starting is just an ego thing. The Rockets chemistry is amazing I'd rather not disrupt it just to prove a point that Amen is amazing when everybody knows that already.

If you start Amen thats great but then you are basically telling FVV/Jabari/DB/Jalen they suck now and Amen is better. While that may be true, making it so blatant can lead to friction and infighting when you want them to be united and pulling for each other.

Anyway this is a moot point Ime loves his vets I am confident the starters keep their position for the entire year barring trades or more injuries.

 

I was one of Dillon's biggest defenders early in the season. But he's has not played at the same level recently. The advanced numbers don't even show he's a good defender anymore. I know a lot is on matchups and what not but there is no world where Amen is worse than Dillon at guarding anyone. Amen is just special. Overall as a whole he's been fine cuz he started the year hot. We didn't miss a beat when he got hurt and missed games, so we know he can be replaced.

 

That comment doesn't even make sense. You don't want to disrupt their chemistry by re-benching Amen? Weird comment. Hell, even Jalen is giving Amen credit for this breakout.

 

Whats weird about that? Amen is like the youngest Jabari/Dillon/FVV are his seniors. If you bench them for Amen things can get awkward and those guys can pout.

PHX just benched Beal trying to piss him off so he waives his no trade clause.

 

Same thing happened last year. He really fell off around this time.

 

What? If Jabari has to come off the bench, everyone will understand. The players can see what’s happening. If the Rockets keep beating good teams, you don’t want to rock the boat. You keep doing what’s working. I’m not worried about Jabari or anyone else getting their feelings hurt if we keep winning.

 

Jabari is already benched due to injury. It has created a much more cohesive unit. If the Rockets continue this offensive explosion, there is no way Ime benches Amen, because he is worried about Jabari pouting.

 

But a Fred, Jalen amen Jabari and sengun lineup makes more sense. Size and length. Dillon doesn't really have a future on this team

 

It's crazy to me that they're winning games like this. This team is for real.

 

These many games played but still not over 40 games......not even hafl of the games yet.

 

I agree with that, but I don't think Ime will bench either FVV or Dillon this year, especially if we are winning. I would prefer Jabari in the starting unit and Dillion on the bench, but either will work. The key was getting Amen in the starting line-up and FVV off the ball most possessions.

 

for me it's FVV right now that is the odd man standing, his preferred style of play is not the best for the team, and on defense he is nowhere near Amen

 

It's New Year Jalen now

Upgraded from Post ASB Jalen

 

The speed for which this forum shifted from "trade Jalen, not the franchise player, he is who he is, he's inconsistent" to "man how the hell are we going to afford to keep him?!" is remarkable.

 

This is like win streaks versus losing streaks....

Udoka merely seems to win a lot.

 

Minutes for Fred may drop a bit. But, don’t underestimate what he does for the team. Fred is still the coach on the floor even when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Fred had a great game last night. He was handing the ball off to Jalen and getting players in the right spot to run plays. Furthermore, in the playoffs teams play better defense and the game becomes more of a half court game. We still need Fred in the half court offense.

The torch is definitely in the process of being passed to the younger players. But, we are not completely there yet. I think we have a pretty good mix of players right now. I trust Ime to figure out the best combinations to put on the floor. It’s been fun to watch this team grow up and have success.

 

Well, he's starting to consistently play well and its before the All-Star break.

Everyone knows he has this in him, but thats why it's been potential and not regular play. This year he has taken a step, and its very encouraging (but it wasn't immedate this season, so many still worried it was still simply potential).

 

@Reeko attending the next game is about to jinx Jalen Green back to a scrub for that game lol.

 

you show me an advanced defensive metric and ill show you a bad defensive metric.

there is not a single decent defensive metric available to the public.

Im not disagreeing that Amen is special, or that he wont be the better defender in the future. what i am arguing is Brooks is criminally under-rated as a defender. Hes not iggy style defender (amen) hes more battier style defender.

Brooks likely doesnt start next year, but he is still our tone setter and defensive leader. He runs most communications and takes the main assignment every game.

Its like a RB by committee. Brooks is your down the middle power guy and Amen is your change of pace outside speedster. They compliment each others weaknesses quite well.