The Rockets were 16-6 (72.7% win rate) this season when Amen Thompson made a three pointer

Things just change so fast in the NBA.

2 non 3 point shooters in the half court offense is now 100% the entire problem when 14 months ago Jalen Green was 100% the entire problem.

I’m slightly worried there will be a new 100% the entire problem if we replace one of our best players with Kel’el Ware.

 

So Amen takes 3's more frequently and confidently is games we are winning

Sounds pretty normal. Show me our record in games that Tari made 2 or more 3's in

 

17-9

 

When the guy shook hurt the team by not being able to shoot a basketball was able to shoot a basketball it was good for the team? Unpossible.

 

The Houston Rockets have never won when Amen scores 40+ points.

 

To bad he shot a putrid 22% from deep.

I don’t see how he improves it. He might be a professional bricklayer forever

 

His free-throw, shooting improved way faster than we thought it would. And I know some of the stats don’t reflect it, but to me, his mid range shot looked more fluid this year. I also thought that the three-point shot from the base line looked better. It just didn’t go in.

I think over the next two years you’ll see a pretty significant improvement.

 

We still talking about Amen shooting 3s lol? This will still be a convo in year 15 "man just wait till Amen starts hitting 3s" as he's 33 years sold.

 

He won't be in the league at 33 if he hasn't developed a shot by then.

 

To some. Some people have said 2 non shooters who are main contributors on offense have been the issue all along. That is the sole reason.

 

Lol idiot

 

I'm not sure simply "making a 3" is the benchmark for winning or good offense.

He has to make teams respect his shot and that's the bottom line.

If they don't respect the threat of a 3 defenders sag off of him with or without the ball and off ball often simply play the space between Amen and the rim. Especially with Amen in the corner and Jabari on the wing - one defender can respond to either of them as it's pretty unlikely Amen shoots a 3 and it's just as unlikely that Jabari drives. As a defender you don't have a whole lot to worry about. I saw this exact scenario play out so often last season I couldn't count them.

You can easily see how that affects the other 3 guys on the court, essentially playing on the wrong side of 3 on 4.

I seriously doubt that simply making one 3 in a given game is going to change how teams defend that scenario. The odds of Amen making a single 3 ball are about 1 in 4.63. As a defender, if Amen takes a 3, you feel like you won that possession. Defenses will live with that shot as many times as they can get him to take it - they are going to invite that shot.

So, it's really not enough to make one or two shots in a given game, he has to make teams respect his ability to make those shots consistently, so teams change how they defend him. (From the current invitation to shoot to actually being defended).

 

Thompson needs the ball in his hands and proper spacing. The mid range part of the floor also needs to generally be opened up. Durant if he is on the team operating out of their part of the time is fine, but if Thompson is on the court, he should likely be further out.

I love Alpi, and with his relatively young age in great contract, I am not eager to trade him, but I do question the compatibility between him and a man as we figure out which one, if either will shoot from the distance.

we know for damn sure that we do not have the coaching minds to offset this.

Capable shooter and rim defender/Adams
Smith/Eason
Durant/ Okogie
Capable defender/creator/shooter/Reed
Amen/FVV

it’s probably where this team needs to get to to be able to compete next year with one of the unnamed players being equal to or better than Durant.

 

The "(player that is the reason the spacing is terrible) needs proper spacing" takes have always been some of my favorite.

 

I've said countless times that the 4 is his most advantageous position, it negates his biggest weakness - But with that comes the necessity for a center who can play on the outside offensively to maintain spacing.

Amen didn't go to college (he probably should have), he played for the OTE league which was a professional league for two seasons.

So, he professional basketball player under contract for two years before he got to the NBA.

Saying Amen has been a professional basketball player for 5 years is factual.

 

amen in a Rick Adelman / Mike Malone offense is scary. He needs to roll around the basket.

 

well i keep seeing how FVV is the problem... and dude didnt even play last year... lol

 

He doesn't even need to be a good shooter, just shoot 30% to 33% and that would make a huge difference.