Even a sleepwalking KD performed 5 times better than this against the league’s top defensive team. I have no doubt Jalen would put up a stronger showing lol.
Good answer when you don't have a rebuttal to the truth, Rockets needed defense, 3s and a young star to not tire out and take over. Rockets might have downgraded big time..
That's why I think some of the overreactions are so weird. It was one of the toughest assignments the Rockets are going to have this season....to go into OKC, on the night they get their championship rings, and take one from them despite playing exactly 0 real games together was a BIG ask....and they nearly pulled it off. Give these guys 20 games to develop some better chemistry on the court together and they'll be much better....and they are already really, really good.
Jalen completely disappeared when it mattered most. What makes anyone think he’d fare any better against the best team in the NBA? This game against the Thunder had a Finals level intensity, essentially the same kind of pressure we faced in the playoffs. He’d be lucky to score 10 points in this environment. The truth is, we lost in the postseason because our so called second option shrank from the moment and failed to take responsibility when it counted.
I’m very annoyed we failed to cash in on that win. A KD free throw or not fouling would have won it. Along with other issues, like amen being able to finish the game. Early reaction is we will deal for a vet PG. Someone like a mike Conley type who can get the ball up the court, not be pressured, and not make mistakes. early reaction is we will be extremely good. Alpi was elite KD has serious gravity, which opened up lanes Lanes clogged some because DFS not available I am imagining a lineup of Amen, DFS, KD, Jabari and Sengun. Spacing galore. Long, switchable defense. Open lanes. Multiple weapons. This is the come at me bro lineup. Tari can be inserted into this six man mix when his head is right. That is our core 6. Adams to go big. Capela to rest Adams. Sheppard to spell Amen. Or Holiday or Davison. I don’t care which. We need a league average PG who doesn’t make mistakes. I’m less interested in Sheppard’s alleged “ceiling” (because I don’t think he will hit it) than I am raising the floor of our guard play when Amen sits. The core lineup is so good that we need steadiness to be a contender.
It was better when Amen sat last night than when he was on the court. Amen hurt the spacing A LOT and he had 4 turnovers to only 5 assists.
I preached FVV, Tari, and Reed for KD all summer. I understand trading Green for KD but we could've had more depth, size, and trade pieces holding onto Green, Brooks, and Cam
Jalen scores 18ppg vs OKC in the regular season, but assuming Jalen is off my original post mentioned Dillon. Dillon did not shrink under high pressure situations and brought intensity and high level defense. We are going to miss Dillon, no way around it.
Let's See: How about not having the point guard in bound the ball after a make. Happened way too much. That should be Jabari's job. Tari was not good, Reed will get there, Dort was super impactful last night defensively. Overall we will be ok, it will take about 20 games to really gel together but we have to chill on the extended minutes for KD.
He's averaging 39 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 stocks on 67.6% true shooting, who do you think is the franchise player?
No need for any damn over reaction. We played the champ last night and almost had them. Our jumbo size lineup will be a nightmare for the rest of the league. Sengun came in more than ready, all that international summer ball that he played sure warms him up. Nothing but upside for this team. Shepard is playing scared though and that’s the only thing I did not like. Durant is old so we just need to use him judiciously.
my hot take, based on watching only the first half, is that the Two Big lineup is Too Flawed To Succeed long-term, at least as it's currently constructed. and that flaw is entirely due to the uncertainty around the point guard situation. Last year, with Fred running the point and the Alpi/Adams front court, Amen could work from the wing, cut to the basket and receive a pass from either Fred or Alpi. Now, with Amen running the point, neither Tari nor Bari fills that role as instinctively, and KD, for all his gifts, is too slow. Further, the offense as its designed, pulls Apli out to the arc. sure, he can be effective there, but one of his biggest strengths (post play) is mitigated. lastly, our biggest strengths last year, on ball pressure, quickness, and speed, are diminished with KD and Adams on the floor together...and there's no way those two can play big minutes all season and still have something left in May/June. the near term solutions is to Run with Reed. Yes, he's an unfinished product, but i continue to see signs he can handle this, at least for 25-30 minutes/game. Playing him at the point allows for more natural spacing, and you can move Amen back to the wing/corner where he is most effective. I would rarely have Adams/KD on the floor together, again for spacing reasons.
I wish we had Harden with this current roster. Everyone plays defense on this roster we just need someone to drive and get easier buckets for Alpi/KD.... Harden's defense > Reed's 100% defensive effort
