Jabari, since he’s yet to show all of his tools on offense due to lack of consistency in playing time (injuries), role and just getting the ball in the right spots. Now that he’s paid snd focusing on ball handling and putting it on the floor I think he’s the most likely to take the biggest leap. Amen already made that jump last year. He won’t be vastly improved and I could see more focus on him from opponents so let’s see how he handles it. Jabari will also benefit greatly from having KD.
I think Jabari will show a lot of growth, but my bet is on Amen cuz he will get to start and build on the momentum he got last year. With KD, FVV and a stretch PF in Jabari/Tari/DFS I think there's gonna be improved spacing on the team and that will allow Amen to run wild.
I think the board is sleeping on Tari Eason. He's had a full offseason, so I expect him to make a noticeable jump in skill and decision-making. In my mind, Amen has already made the jump. He's got it. The future is his. Alpi appears to have worked out his shooting if he can keep his body from getting beaten up.
It has to be Amen or they’re screwed. Durant is old. Sengun is at on near his ceiling. Sheppard, Tari and Jabari are role players. Cam had the second or third highest potential on the team and they traded him for nothing.
No need for a semantic discussion, since we have a full collection of words covering the spectrum of progress that use walking terms, no need to use the same word for different levels of improvement: here we go, pick the Rockets that fit in the Leap part of the spectrum 1. fall 2. slip 3. stop 4. next step 5. jump 6. leap
Hoping Ime and Durant unlock Smith as a higher-volume shooter. He was criminally under utilized in the series against the Warriors.
Should have put Ime in the poll. If he makes a jump offensively all the other players will be improved. With his extension, Ime has all the reason in the world to put team above ego. Now is the time to embrace improvement and prove himself (not to himself) that he is a championship calibre coach.
Agree with the consensus, as Amen is a solid bet to make a leap. But curious and it will be fun to see who's going to put in the work this offseason and join him potentially.
Amen will get more on ball reps and will continue to increase the stat line because of more opportunities and I think he will be okay but not amazing. People don't have a full appreciation for how hard it is to score against a team of highly skilled athletes trying to stop you - even being an athlete among athletes, it will be hard for Amen to navigate learning that role at first but I think he will be fine long term with it. All that said - I expect Jabari to get more frequent and cleaner looks with guys like Green, Brooks, and Whitmore gone - more shots that should have went to him will now go to him because KD and Amen will handle the ball more and both are better facilitators both at knowing when a player is open AND at delivering it in rhythm. He will have a few of those "oh ****, he can actually be a dangerous option in the offense, we need to account for where he is" moments this year and that will be a massive leap for a guy who looked REALLY bad as a rookie.
If Alpi improves slightly in efficiency and gets a couple of more possessions a game he could average 23-25. I could see 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Thompson I think averages something like 18 points 9 rebounds 4 assists and is first team all defense. Improves free throws and mid range, and shoot 33% from 3. Both these are realistic best case scenario for next season and make the Rockets legit title contenders.
Considering Sengun’s improvements last off season came in the most unexpected areas, defense and rebounding, there is a reasonable chance that he takes a leap in shooting this off season. He is a damn hard worker, needs to get past the mental barrier and see what he’s got.
Bill Simmons sitting in his mansions eating Faberge eggs for breakfast because he used to write columns about The Leap
I expect Fred bouncing back doing other things than just scoring which he doesn't have to this time. Delivering the Rock.
