What's funny is that even between the twins, OP went with Ausar. I gotta admit there was a period where I wasn't high on drafting Amen but it's only because I believed from this thread that OTE was just a bunch of 16 year olds. Thought he hadn't been tested at all. My concern was mainly for his jumper obviously, but I'm sure he's going to improve it now that we've seen his mechanics improve from FT/midrange/3. Plus his work ethic.
Wanted Ausar too. We'd be having the same conversations about him except the blood clots. You can't go wrong with either. Per 36, which works perfectly since they can play an entire game without getting tired, is almost identical. It comes down to who is the funnier one. Amen.
Same. But I guess Amen proved himself the superior twin lol. I cant believe he leapfrogged Ausar offensively after both twins got separated.
The one major difference so far other than playing time/blood clots thing is that Amen has been much, much more efficient as a scorer. I think some of this is just we have a better offense than Detroit, but I chalk some of it up to exactly what the pre-draft scouting reports said and my eye test confirms--Amen is just a bit more athletic than his brother, and at the top end of NBA basketball, that little bit can make a big difference. Not sure why it is, I'm no expert in genetics or biomechanics or whatever. But Amen simply has a quicker first step and a bit more verticality than Ausar. Still think Ausar will be a really good player though.
If time didn't exist, this would be an amazing gotcha. The player he is today is not the player he was then.... and that's a very good thing.
At the NBA level, their differences are magnified and it's no surprise one brother has emerged as the better player. I don't want Ausar because Amen is flourishing without him. Both guys are smart and grounded but let's leave well-enough alone.
Ausar measured 6’7 +3 WS, 8.9’ handwidth, 37’ standing, 42’ max, 3.17 ¾ court at OTE Pro Day. Amen measured 6’7 +2 WS, 8.8’ handwidth, 38’ standing, 44’ max, 2.97 ¾ court at OTE Pro Day. Tracks with Amen being slightly more athletic than Ausar. Given the hurdles Ausar had to overcome going into this season, he's basically an offseason behind in development so I still have high hopes for him.
Ausar is Amen in his rookie season. The blood clots were a major setback. He still has loads of potential.
I think Booker has ties to DET. Holding Phoenix’s draft picks, I would like to see a trade where we help facilitate Booker to DET for Ausar. You would have to assume DET would have to give up A LOT for Booker.
So now I will pound my chest. I was always fine with drafting Amen because people overrate shooting, still do. I always said he had the highest ceiling in that draft outside of Wemby because Amen is a freak. Just like you can't teach the agility and motor skills for a 7'3 guy like Wemby. You can't teach Amen's freak athleticism so the only things that matter after that...and people should pay attention because this is what scouts are going by, you can't also teach attitude. Amen had freak athleticism and he seems to be a very mature individual that will put in the work to get better. This means his floor was also higher than people realize because worst case scenrio he's an all NBA defender, best case scenario, well...his potential right now is unlimited, everyone can see that. He can already be a perennial all-star and if he gets a shot he can be an MVP talent. All in all though that was a VERY good draft, I think all of the top 5 guys will turn out to be all-stars one day, even Ausar and you have guys later in the draft that are playing very well like Gradey Dick, Bilal, and of course Cam. So yes, if you are drafting in the top 5 you absolutely should take project players. Amen shows why. Who cares if you suck again the next year? You'll draft in the top 5 again next year if that is the case and if said project takes 3 years to breakout he's still on your team, so what? I think we are fortunate that Rockets took a chance on the Amen project but like I said. Personality matters. I imagine Amen shot up because of his in person interviews while Cam (more skilled) fell because of his. Because scouts tend to rank things in this order in any sport. 1.) Athleticism. Can't be taught. 2.) Personality. Can be adjusted but sometimes too late to teach. 3.) Skill. Absolutely can be taught. If Reed Sheppard was 5 inches taller and had all the same skills he has now he would have been the #1 pick.
We really should save threads like these for the offseason when there's nothing else going on. A kind of BBS bloodsport where we hunt each others worst takes from "This guys a BUST..." to "This guy is BASKETBALL JESUS..." and just toss them into a single thread where all of the posters with poster beef can sling trash at each other in a more healthy and sometimes funny way than what the dog days typically disintegrate into. That said, the smell on this "Amen is trash" take is kinda sweet and tangy right now.
Our OP has stated on record that Amen is horrible, Cade Cunningham is horrible, etc etc...something tells me his basketball takes aren't the most accurate. He also hasn't been seen for a while so I do hope he's doing alright.
