Why not? If spacing is your only issue DFS is a career 38% and Tari is shooting in the 35% range. Teams also cant leave them wide open from 3 with their percentages so they have gravity just like Reed. shooting is really important but there are other aspects like defense, rebounding and broken play scoring. I'd rather take that hit from shooting if it means improvement in other areas. Tari shot 0/4 from 3 but still scored 20 last game.
Jabari is 3 months older starting this year than this guy was starting his rookie year. Hopefully Jabari still has some room to grow and have a smaller contract than Murray.
Right, shooting is not the only thing. Those bigger guy are not ideal for chasing faster guys in the perimeter. Tari might be able to do it. I don't think DFS can. Also, Reed's handles may need improvement as a guard, he is still better than DFS and Tari, not to mention passing and playmaking.
I'm eager to see how DFS fits in with our group. On the Lakers, he was their best perimeter defender by quite a bit. DFS only has to be our second-best perimeter defender with Amen out there, who can stay with anyone. When he's out there on D, Durant and Jabari/Tari are taking the third-best guy. That's going to be a huge advantage. And put those guys in a zone where they can use their length in different ways, look out. I'm very excited to see how Ime will unpack the potential.
I think people are underrating Reed's speed. His problem on defense guarding smaller players isn't speed. It's skills such as positioning and leverage. Those things can be learned. Brooks, for example, has defensive skills. But he often gets beat by faster guards in the perimeter. Switching is fine. Guarding those guards full time is not ideal. Tari is faster than Brooks. Not sure about DFS. Stone said there's no difference between SG and SF. They are all wing players. That's true on offense as long as they have decent handles. Defense is another matter. You need freak wings like Amen to stay with speedy guards.
I think this is a valid argument. Tari I think could play defense better than Reed on the perimeter. My problem with Tari starting is offensively and his penchant for fouls. If he is starting and trying to guard quick perimeter players he is going to have 4 fouls before you know it.
Reed shot 50% from 3 his last 15 games. His poor shooting slump was ~24 games. Eyeball tests and how he did in college says he likely shoots well when he can get open. While I agree it is still a small sample, the sample used to say he can't shoot isn't big either. Reed's point of attack defense is the only thing that could keep Reed from starting, IMO, as I expect he will be one of those players that thrives with better teammates on offense.
I get that it’s a small sample size but I just like how he’s shooting with confidence. We were the second seed last year with multiple games where Jalen and Fred combined to shoot 2-15 from three. So it can’t be much worse,
Tari is going to realize how much he's worth this summer. Jabari is going to end up being the best contract in the league.....but I doubt he signs that if KD isn't here. Basically gets to learn from the GOAT of his archetype every single day.
Now that the Rockets have young players that have to get paid, I am not a fan of the current CBA. Restricted Free Agents have no leverage, so with the current CBA, Tari will have to sign for less than he is “worth” or risk a mid level exception type contract. I hope Tari signs a deal by Monday that keeps him a Rocket for years to come.
I love Tari, but considering the downside risk of injury, and never playing back to backs.... I'm moving him for value (in the right deal) rather than committing a bunch of money/capspace.
Jabari just needs to be a 3 and D forward this year. Hopefully he can be second or first in 3PA on the team.
