Even if he hasn't, and may never, live up to his draft position. His presence on the team is extremely important. Just having him on the floor and in the rotation allows other players to do less. Our defense has been inconsistent and outright terrible at times since he went down, and I think the increased workload everybody has had to pick up is part of it. I don't expect Brooks to go to the bench (even if he should), but hopefully Udoka does cut his minutes down when Jabari comes back.
Everybody's always trying to get the Rockets only 3&D player - in fact, the only 3 point threat period - out of the lineup. Unlikely to happen, for a great many reasons. But keep dreaming.
Excited for the post ASB to get the guys some needed rest, heal up, and get guys back from injuries. That paired with what will be a much easier schedule going forward, Im excited.
With Cam backsliding on defensive focus, Tari playing on a bum leg, and Amen taking the best perimeter playmaker, Brooks could use the help manning the 2 forward positions.
Dillon Brooks + Tari Eason are also 3-D players, DB is clearly the best 3 point threat on Rockets this season shooting 38.5% vs Jabari's 35.4% from 3P. Jabari is career 33% while Tari is career 34% from 3P. That said, Rockets need Jabari back asap.
Jabari is sorely missed, despite him being underwhelming as a top3 pick so far. He maybe stiff and timid sometimes, but he's a long, switchable big that can D it up and shoot the 3. Hopefully he comes back and continues where he left off. I'm excited seeing him play more with Amen. If he's on, we can put a 5 out lineup and clear the lanes for Amen to attack.
Jabari got off to a slow start and Dillon got off to a fast start. Do it by splits. Also look at the defense and rebounding before Jabari went down to after. Jabari is clearly the more important player to the Rockets.
I was only addressing the best 3 point threat aspect of his post. There is no doubt that Jabari is better rebounder than Dillon. However Amen and even Tari are commensurate rebounders if not better.
Amen is a better rebounder, but Amen and Jabari are better at rebounding than Amen and Dillon. If you look at the most current trends this year Jabari is the biggest threat from three, although he might not be able to come back on fire like he was before he got hurt. My guess is that Jabari comes off the bench until he knocks the rust off.
Per veteran insider Chris Haynes, the 21-year-old is targeting a return on Friday, Feb. 21, when Houston (34-20) hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves (30-25) at Toyota Center. That game, which will be broadcast to a national television audience on ESPN, is the first for both teams after the NBA's upcoming break for its 2025 All-Star events. https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/st...gets-return-in-rockets-next-game/78525833007/
Yep, the starting lineup has been worse since Amen replaced JSJ. It is clear JSJ's tasks on defense aren't being completed. However, looking at on off numbers as you suggests points the finger at someone else besides Brooks as the main problem. Excluding one of the starters, every lineup the Rockets have played at least 5 minutes with since JSJ has gotten hurt has been good defensively except the Landale, Tate, Whitmore, Amen, Sheppard lineup. That player is not Brooks. The Rockets defensive rating is 100.9 without this player in that time frame (i.e., way better than the best defense in the league granted this is not against the full starting lineups of other teams). ...and if one does as you say for FVV, one could easily see FVV is needed at PG for his PG skills.
Great news! Having him and Fred back, along with the easier schedule should be like a Swedish massage.
I didn't understand your last comment. I have come off the idea that FVV should be benched this year to start Amen. My suggested starting line-up this year is FVV, Jalen, Amen, Jabari, and Sengun with FVV playing off ball about 50% of the time. Dillon and Tari coming off the bench is fine. FVV and Jabari gives us pretty much the same outside shooting threat as FVV/Dillon. The difference in our defense and rebounding is what will get us back to our winning ways with the easier schedule. Next year we should have a much different roster with more shooters. Amen is our best player and should never go to the bench again. If FVV is on the team, it should be as a backup. I'm at a point, that I think we should go hard at Naz Reid in the off-season, if Sengun could bring us back mulitple really good players that can shoot, then it should be considered. I have suggested Sengun for JJJ and Kennard if Memphis would go for it. Malik Beasley, Collins at Utah, are also FA's. Surround Amen and Jalen with shooters that also play defense and start the dynasty. Amen, Jalen, Jabari, JJJ, Reid. Bench: FVV or Reed, Cam, Kennard, Beasley, Tari, Dillon. Landale.
Oh damn you joined the squad!!!! Preach man preach. F all those politics of starting a player who isn't a good fit. Brooks can't run with them, can't rebound with them, can't guard a PG better than FVV, can't guard a wing better than Amen and can't guard a PF better than Jabari. It's so tough because Brooks has played WELL statistically, but stylistically it's clear he will never be part of this group long term unless they acquire a superstar this summer who demands a slow halfcourt pace like a prime James Harden or CP3 would have. It's such a random situation. He's the best shooter on our team with a very good net rating this season I believe. There's no reason he should be so bad at rebounding and transition but he is. A very extreme case of poor fit but that makes it an easy fix because his value is at a career high right now.
I agree Dillon qualifies here, he's proven he can shoot on fairly high volume and make threes all around the arc the past couple of seasons. but not so sure on Tari. Tari mostly just shoots from the corners when he's wide open and still has a below-average 3P%, so I don't think he's really keeping defenses honest the way Dillon and Jabari do.
