What is this? What's going on? We were relying on him for 20 points a night. In 4 of the past 8 games he's taking 11 or fewer shots and averaging like 10ppg. It's weird because he's efficient in those games but he just seems to be really limited with shots. Is he not getting the ball enough? I thought he got the ball a lot against the Raptors though he looked exhausted. Is he facing a wall of defenders? Is the paint just too packed some nights? Is he tired? Is it random? He's such an efficient player on some nights he's just flat out passing on shots rather than forcing them, but recently he seems to need to hold back more often. He needs to force the issue a little more often especially with key players out. Interested in any theories about why this is happening.
He ain't a Shooter or creator in Iso. He is closer to Aaron Gordon Type right now. Alley Oop Dunker, Shot Blocker, Rebounder. Next Step of Development is hiring a Point Guard Coach and Shooting Coach. Ben Sullivan ain't working.
He brings the ball down seemly half the time. Him not getting shots off is more on defenses keying in on him. This is not something to be discouraged about. Teams made adjustments, now it's time for Amen to make an adjustment.
He hasn't been as shifty since Scotty Pippen Jr dangerously pushed him in his lower back resulting in no review. Now, add Sengun to our back issues.
They're starting to double team and face guard. Last game in transition I saw 2-3 players pack the paint and wall him off like Giannis. They want to take the ball out of his hands and make other players beat them, as teams do other stars. It's part of a star player's growth and he'll have to learn to adjust
Ime seems to start him on the ball where he is most effective, but quickly goes back to Jalen and Sengun. Either he’s trying to preserve Amen’s energy, who is obviously gassed or he is an offensive moron. It’s pretty simple. Even with all the sagging defenses Amen gets in the lane and makes the right decision most of the time. He’s developing a floater and a decent jump shot from the free throw line in. Jabari’s injury was beneficial to get Amen in the starting lineup where he should have been all year, but our lack of a legitimate backup PF has forced Amen to the frontcourt to help Alpi and get defensive rebounds. FVV getting hurt also took away our last semi-reliable 3 pt shooter and teams are just playing zone against us the whole game. It’s hard to break a zone with no shooters, but even a competent college coach knows you need to get the ball to the middle and rotate the ball largely around the perimeter. Amen would be outstanding at running as a point forward in the middle of the zone, but Ime knows nothing but isos and PnR offense which will never work until we get Fred and Jabari back. I wanted FVV to go to the bench for Amen early on. I was wrong and all that really needed was to get FVV off the ball most of the time and act as a spot up shooter and a reliable defensive player. He is also valuable as a ball handler when the youngsters start to get out of control, especially when the opponent gets on a roll. I’m hoping after the all-star break we get all our guys back, add dillon to the bench, and play FVV off the ball as much as possible. Our defense will get better, our spacing will get better, and Amen will get development time running the half-court offense.
The Rockets got so good that all the teams in the NBA came together and decided that the best - and only - strategy needed was to pack the paint.
Two things that can solve this "pack the paint" thing other teams are regularly doing to us now: 1) Add more shooters (this is part of why FVV is important, teams actually do respect his 3P shot despite his percentage this season--they know he's dangerous when left open) 2) Next step for Amen is to become a threat to shoot open threes on the wing. He's already starting to keep teams honest on the corner, so I think he may figure that out soon (possibly even next season). It will give him a lot more space to initiate the offense and create an advantage if his defender can't sit back in the key and wait for him to drive.
There was an earlier thread this year about whether shooting was overrated. Well, maybe it is overrated. But not having shooting (our two best 3pt shooters in Jabari and FVV out) is clearly not good.
As others have said, it's a combination of inadequate spacing and poor PG play when FVV is out. Better scouting from our opponents is also at play. It's very easy to counter the Rockets offense when FVV is out, no one can shoot and most of our guys are turnover prone. Stone was mistaken in believing that roster stability is the same thing as player development. Electing to give minutes to Reed Shephard might help him a bit but it is hurting every other young player on this roster. Stone has acquired a lot of talent on this roster but we have some glaring inadequacies that should have been addressed at the deadline. The best way to create a winning culture is to win.
Bring in Harden during the off-season as a creative offense coach to teach our young guards how to think outside the box and pay him in strippers and liquor.
Agree with a lot in here. Playing FVV off the ball as much as possible is not the solution. The Rockets offense looked so good when FVV, Amen, and Sengun were all involved. It made it really hard to keep the paint packed when there were a lot of actions. Amen and/or Sengun's man needed to help show against FVV or another shooter as the offense was less predictable regarding who was on ball as the ball shifted seemlessly between the Rockets creators. Putting Brooks to the bench will help the rebounding. I'm doubtful replacing Brooks will help the off ball defense much unless it is Tari and Tari is healthy. Also, Brooks has been the best 3 point shooter in the Rockets rotation since he's been here. It isn't good that Brooks has been the best 3 point shooter, but it isn't a small sample either.
To be honest whatever it is, it means he's not able to be a consistent scorer. I don't think Ime is dictating much if anything at all, I think if you play defense he lets you do pretty much whatever you want on offense. We take a lot of stupid shots, too much variety, there's no identity to the whole thing. The paint is just way way way way way way way way way way too packed more than I've seen it since the JVG era. Teams do not care, they are packing the paint in most games and daring us to beat them. How nice would it have been to have Vucevic off the bench right now to give us breathing room for 20-25 minutes and when we have injuries? For a couple of second rounders and some friendlier contracts. It's just getting tiring watching them try to figure out how to unlock an airtight paint.
it's this. you see it with young breakout players all the time. teams didn't draw markers on him until recently. now it's up to the player to adjust back. let's see if Amen can watch some tape and think about better opportunities. he nearly had a 5x5 last night.
