What a time for Rockets fans if you’re thinking is the sudden rise of one young star makes another one expendable. Hoarding rising stars that learn to win together is the new way to win in the NBA. Purists rejoice!
Amen is incredible, but not sure I make the connection between his success and Bari’s expendability. Bari’s switchy length and shooting are badly needed on this team. He continues to improve. He’s earned an extension and once he fills into his body he’ll be playing more minutes at the 5. So no, Amen doesn’t make Bari expendable and it’s kind of a crazy thought.
Jabari was having a breakout season before his injury. The Rockets were a top 3 team in the west with him. Jabari went down and the Rockets continue to win, because they are so deep and talented. But it should not be throw the injured guy under the bus because the team has done well without said player. Jabari is a prototype at PF. Defensive player, that can shoot the 3, is strong, and has a very high IQ. When he gets back, the team will only get better than what it is now.
This post implies than either Amen is a 3 and D jumbo floor spacer or Jabari is a transition perimeter defender demon.
Breakout season? You are seeing something I am not. Compared to last season: FG%-down 3P%-down 2p%-down eFG%-down Rebounds-down Assists-down(averaging less than Cam Whitmore per 100 possessions) Steals-down He’s a poor ball handler, low BBIQ, and average shooter and rebounder that can’t pass the ball. He is pretty tall, so he has that going for him. I like having him on the team as a backup power forward.
In all seriousness, no he doesn't make Jabari expendable. Jabari is improving a lot too. I do like Amen more though at the moment.
Fred is expiring, and Dillon has only one more year at a low number. Rockets don't have $200 million for Jabari and Amen - it's going to be one, not both.
Bari is not untouchable. Bari has the potential to be a great fit for Amen. As far a current production, Bari's rebounding is nice and his switching is nice. I think expendable may be too harsh. I think Amen and Sengun are ready for the playoffs. Bari is not. Amen is making it so the Rockets want guys with long term potential, but are ready now (next season at the latest). I see Bari as more a before the but player and I see Brooks as more an after the but player.
I don't even think they'll be able to keep 2; Right now my guess is Eason because his injury history will scare teams away.
FVV-Amen-Sengun is working very well. Jalen Green, when he plays well, works great, but I think he's struggled guarding bigger players and off ball defense when Amen has to guard a guard. Brooks has been up and down, mostly down lately, I don't understand how one can watch the Rockets with Amen starting and think FVV is expendable. Well, other than Amen has to be a PG and Amen actually playing great with a PG is ignored because it doesn't fit the narrative that Amen has to be a PG. Amen and FVV have been so good together offensively, and I don't think either is the defensive problem (other than Amen starting has disrupted the chemistry and starters roles).
I think Jabari is mostly being overrated on this board. He was shooting 35% from 3 this season before the injury. That's not particularly good for a player who doesn't do much else on offense. Defensively, he's had a negative DPM thus far this year. He just has not been very good overall and his value this year could be easily replaced or upgraded. What he has is a lot of potential. He has the potential to be a good floor spacer and a versatile defensive big. A lot of teams would like to have a prospect like Jabari. The issue is that we're competing for a championship this season and Jabari is not a contending piece at this time. Coming off a broken hand will not help his shooting either. Dillon Brooks is an overall better player than Jabari Smith at this time. Jabari should return in a backup role. His minutes should be limited. We'll see who he becomes next season. Maybe that guy will become a difference maker.
2nd apron punishes teams that don't have resources to improve. If the Rockets don't make a big trade, and just extend Cam, Bari, and Tari, Tilman not wanting to spend money will likely be more an issue before 2nd apron is an issue (i.e., there's no chance Tilman spends over the 2nd apron enough years such that the frozen picks actually becomes a problem). The Rockets will have big salaries such that no aggregation rule isn't important. They will have picks to move big contracts if they want provided they aren't over the 2nd apron too many years. Young players are typically desired. Sign and trades aren't a big deal. I think 2nd apron is likely an important line to match Tilman's willingness to spend. I don't see it being a big issue for a season or two if the Rockets keep the young guys together. If the Rockets make a big trade and lose a young guy and 4-5 FRPs, that would change things.
Seriously. Well said. Jabari has been expendable way more Amen was in the starting lineup. I’m just not impressed with him, especially as the 3rd pick. He’s good at his role but his role is so limited.
Our rebounding has also dropped from 1st to 13th in this ten game stretch. Jabari is actually really important for help defense and rebounding because of his height and length.
Jabari likely won't be going anywhere for the next decade. AT MINIMUM, he becomes a long time, above average ..consistent starting 4, who can play some 5. At this point though, I'm seeing a guy that's still developing physically. Besides, big men take longer. It would seem to bode well for all. Jabari appears to be a longtime 20/10 man eventually. ..a leader on defense. And, I'm not worried in the least about his shot. It and the threat of it will be money for a long time. This is a guy that impacts the bottom line. Amen ( who I see as a future top 3 player) AND Jabari are huge to our future...and should write new Rocket history together.
