ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pelicans 10/14/2025 (Preseason)

I don't think we will know how good the Rockets will be for a few games. Hopefully they settle in quick. The first 9 games are pretty tough. Next Tuesday night cannot get here quick enough for me. Things I will be watching the first 15-20 games...

• Can Reed Sheppard shoot at league average or better?
• Does the stronger version of Jabari carry over into real games?
• Is the double big lineup as impactful as last year after an offseason for teams to adjust?
• Is Amen's outside shooting as improved as the preseason makes it seem?
• Is Clint Capela washed or is he just trying to round into shape?
• Can KD Play at least 65 games - because after the Pelican's game, he looks a bit fragile.
• Will JD Davison or Okoge be playable against good teams?
• Does the summer bump for Sengun continue against NBA competition?
• (This is still preseason...) Do they extend Tari before the season starts?

 

Right. It started with Core 4, the first two rebuilding years: Jalen, Alpi, Bari, Tari, initially considered the young core for the future.. Then we added Amen and Cam to be Core 6. Reed made it Core 7. Now it is down to Core 5.

 

Sure.

Last summer, many folks were worried the Rockets would not be able to pay and retain all of the youngsters. I replied it was a non-issue and predicted at least 2 of the 7 youngsters wouldn't make the cut for this season.

Now that we have 5, it's possible they could all make the cut but the addition of KD does indeed throw Tari's future in doubt because of money.

I wanted Jalen and Cam gone, but Tari fits Ime's culture and this team so well it would be a huge loss for him to leave.

 

I think the summary of the game is this: The Pelicans gave it everything they had. The Rockets didn’t really care about the game. Then, in the third quarter, they pulled the trigger and crushed the Pelicans. After that, both teams put in their bench players. Udoka spent the whole game testing rotations to see how to handle FVV’s absence, but none of them worked. We got through the game with physicality.

 

Yeah. You pay your third center that much to get a third center of that caliber who is going to play meaningful minutes.

Youre not getting a third center like Clint for vet minimum.

 

None of them worked? We scored 102 through 3 quarters, that means we would have scored around 130 points in 4 quarters. If we average 130 points a game we will be the no. 1 offense in the league. Ridiculous comment. Defense gave up 88 points through 3 quarters so not quite as good as last year, but still a healthy +-.

 

My view is the same as yours. As a fan, I am torn. I really want to keep Tari. I like all five of these guys and hope they be our core for a long time. But I also understand the appeal of having KD, giving us an earlier window for contending. If they can find a way to keep both of them, I'll be very happy. But if I had to choose, I think I'd prefer keeping the young core. Maybe because I am not a big fan of Kevin Durant.

 

Chill bro. Think twice before writing anything. "We scored 102 through 3 quarters" So what? Just take a look at the box score. Reed Sheppard: 2 assists. Amen Thompson: 3 assists. Alperen Sengun: 7 assists (but 6 turnovers). This is a preseason match. But still it is not bright. Do you still believe that we were able to find a solution for FVV's absence yesterday? Yes. We tried something. But we couldn't handle FVV’s absence. Numbers do not lie. Period.

 

FVV isn't a good player.

 

Is Reed Sheppard good?

 

He certainly has a ton of potential and could easily be better than FVV would have been this season.... it's just a really low bar.

 

Reed was good last night considering that he only played 16 minutes. He scored 13 points including 3 of 6, 50% three pointers which gives him an average of about 45 to 46% threes in the preseason. The ball moves better when he is on the court and playing with the starters which didn't happen much last night. His main weaknesses, which can be corrected are still his on the ball defense, his tendency to be less assertive in running the offense, being too unselfish, and his unfamiliarity with his teammates. We have to remember that the only starters from last year are Alpi and Sengun. There are 3 new starters, and it will take some time for them to gel. Although they are already showing some signs of good chemistry.

The Reed bashing is quite out of line in that the other starters are also not yet in full shape, and the intensity is lacking unlike during regular games. Every Reed mistake is being magnified while his overall impact is ignored. His shot seems to have come back, and he would be even better with more minutes and experience, so let's give him some time before we give up on him.

JG had a lot of flaws from the get-go, but he was worshipped by most fans here. Your post is spot on in looking at Reed as having a ton of potential. Let's see after a few regular games if he is deserving to stay or go. Alpi had some serious bashers here, too for a few years, but they seem to have calmed down a little bit. Same with Bari. I hope they are also wrong about not only Reed but a few other players. Let's get on with the season.

 

If Fred is terrible, according to you, shouldn't Reed already be better than him? He was the 3rd pick in the draft

 

He potentially is, though it's hard to say because he's never really been given an opportunity to show it.

Unlike some, I don't go on blind faith, I have to see it.... so we'll see.

 

Idk that feels like selling Amen short. He's getting easy buckets because defenders are having trouble accounting for him. And in between offensive possessions was one of the very best defenders in the league. He got a little more trust last year and with the gates being blown open (Jalen trade/FVV hurt) I think people haven't quite done the math. He averaged 14 on 10 shots a game. If he's about to get near 20 shots a game like Jalen, literally without improving his FTA rate, 3% or anything... I mean, he's going to score 28ppg? Now that's pretty much crazy, poorly thought-out, forum projection territory but you know. Like. He's seemingly improving the shot and definitely going to get to the line more with more respect from the league, more opportunities on the ball.

To say he's got a ways to go to score 20ppg is bozo the clown hater bullshit. The only people about to stop Amen from averaging 20 are Ime, Stoney, and Tonya Harding. And at least 2 of those people need Amen to start scoring 20.

 

Obviously with higher usage it won't translate to the same efficiency, unless he's made a big leap.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he makes a big leap.