Jalen is inconsistent and does some really dumb things but he is not one to shy away from a big moment or taking a big shot.
Basically I agree with DD's list. I think of killer instinct as the will to crush your opponent. On that score, Brooks is clearly #1 and Cam qualifies on the offensive end. None of our other guys has shown that kind of fire. But you could argue that the will to outwork and out-hustle your opponent is more important to winning games. And by that standard, Amen and Tari are up there with Brooks. Cam, not so much. He does it in bursts but then clocks out till his next burst. Also let's not forget ironman Jalen Green giving his all, game after game. He doesn't like confrontation, but he's willing to outwork you. And I'll throw in a shout-out to Sengun for doing whatever he needs to do, inside of 10 feet, to get a bucket. He has the resolve and the craft to create that tiny bit of space to get the ball up and into the basket. I bet you he'll win us at least one game in the playoffs by doing that at the end.
Nothing wrong with hoping Cam does well but yeah it can only go so far when there is clearly a disconnect between Ime and Cam. For example Reed Sheppard looks like he will be a part of the rotation going into next year. Do you think Cam will? I’m not so sure
I actually see your point with Cam on the offensive end only. Don’t fully agree. I think There’s a will and desire there but to me killer instinct is much more than that. it’s about having the mental discipline and toughness to go the distance and do what it takes to close out games. He certainly hasn’t shown this ability or progression on it. It’s the cerbral part of the game. Guys like Steph or Chauncey had it in their primes. But even guys like Bruce Bowen of Spurs, Manu, Jrue Holliday had it.
Fully agree Bari is a killer. You can see it. Really really tough player that doesn’t back down from anyone. Desire to be better and hr has had his clutch moments. I have said it that he just needed to understand his role and get to spots to be good which he’s doing now in that 6th man role.
So many fans undervalue Tate but he’s got it for 48 minutes he’s competing doing whatever it takes to win.
That's a great question. Honestly, I'm not sure any of them have demonstrated the killer instinct yet. Alp could be #1 for me ...if he could hit his freaking three throws in crunch time. For that alone, disqualified. But if he catches you slipping and he'll dunk on your head and scream in your face. Jalen is a rhythm player. Disqualified. But recently he's been embarrassing people and comes out with a nasty little lip curl. He's still an assassin in training. Young Skywalker. I think my pick is Amen. Dude don't care. He only has one speed. Turn the dial to the "demoralizing" setting. He just stays there all the time. If he can get his 3pt% to about >35%, it'll be time for everyone else to go home. The game will be officially broken. Cam wants to be that player. I want him to be that player. He's just not that player ...yet. The worst outcome here is that Udoka indoctrinates Cam with a few good habits but then the Rockets trade him and for the rest of his career, he returns to Houston with bad intentions. He's literally reminds me of Anakin Skywalker. This could turn out really poorly ...for the Rockets. Brooks doesn't care if you think he is a killer. Brooks is just a business man. And his business is murder. He just goes out there and sometimes kills some dudes, then goes home, slips into bed with his woman, and start spooning her. He's so much of a killer, it's not worth mentioning. Tari and Jabari are like the Mandalorian and Boba Fett. They are opportunistic bounty hunters. Don't turn your back on them cause you will die. As long as you keep your eye on them, you'll be fine (probably). ...and Udoka is a cross Yoda and Jabba the Hutt.
Yeah, Tate is the definition of hyper-competitive hustle. That and some surprisingly solid ballhandling/rim finishing abilities are his only real plus skills though If he were a better shooter and/or a better passer I actually think he'd be a phenomenal 6th man/glue guy like what Bruce Brown did for the Nuggets. Still happy to have him as depth though
Okay killer instinct, the ability to rise under pressure, to make clutch plays offensively/defensively and close out crucial games, to kill your opponent, so to speak. This is usually a habitual character trait, mentality or it can also be developed in players. FVV has already won a championship and hit clutch shots, free throws to ice games with no conscience, so he is definitely high on the list. Jabari needs experience, and although it was Summer League, he took on the challenge and hit game-winners. His size and shooting skill alone can help win playoff series for us. TBD, but I would think he either has it or can develop it. Dillon Brooks is definitely a killer, he is comfortable being the villain, enjoys boos and those moments. Every championship team needs at least one DB. Jalen, as a young player, rose under pressure in his G League playoff, scoring 30 efficient points, assists, and you saw Jalen's real talent. He's also hit clutch shots, I think he's a killer but it's good to get experience. Alpy as a young player, won an MVP and championship at the Turkish League pro level. He's also become self made into an all star. TBD but I think he has it or can develop it, he just need to get experience and become comfortable closing out playoff wins as well. Amen has consistently risen under pressure against top-flight teams, they can't stop his freakish athleticism, IQ and work ethic, see the game winner against Boston in only his second year. He'll just get better at it. Tari I think has it as well, I believe his mother definitely has it lol and he's occasionally been the most relentless player on the team at times. See the GSW 25-point comeback where it was Tari carrying the team; his will to win was fantastic. Cam I think, had it as a rookie lol, but his skill set needs to catch up with his mentality. Working on his game, adding skills to it each year, and if he hits his potential, he'll hit clutch shots unconsciously. Ironically, some folks think some people with solid Christian backgrounds like Reed are soft, but actually, that faith can make you tougher, way beyond some folks with limiting beliefs at times. I think Reed has a killer instinct as well, but he just needs to keep developing. Lastly Ime is the head of the snake here and has won championships at the player and coach level. Boston would have won with him still there as well. So this environment will be conducive to bringing the mental strength out, but again, this year is about growth, experience, and seeing how far this team can go. The potential for a team this young is exciting. Practice end game, high-pressure reps and offensive/defensive sets. If the opposing team blows up the first play and how do you adjust, etc. It's not easy, or everyone would do it, but practice it constantly. And always watch film of your opponent's tendencies.
