Ime's been heaping a lot of praise on some dudes. I thought last year he was kind of muted with regards to that - or am I mis-remembering? Like, last year it was more like some guy goes for 37 points, 27 rebounds, 15 assists, and 14 blocks, Ime's response was along the lines of "he had a good game, but still has stuff he needs to work on. It's a learning process. He'll be alright."
If Amen can’t figure out the 3 point shot he’s going to have to settle for a Point Forward. He’s too valuable not to be on the court, but he’s a tremendous liability when teams know he can hit the side of a barn from the 3-point line. At his size, quickness, defensive abilities, basketball IQ, he would be a matchup nightmare to opposing point guards. But him clanking 3 pointers even this preseason had me shaking my head… What do y’all figure Amen can aspire 3 point percentage wise? At this point I’m hoping he gets to at least 30% for a full season.
I mean, if he can get to .3, the sky's the limit. Ja's career 3 point percentage is .31. Giannis's is .28. Just enough to warrant a little attention.
This preseason, Amen is averaging 11/5/2 in 24 minutes shooting .57 from the field while playing great defense. He seemed to be the only one who could slow Ingram. I don't think Ime should make a lineup change yet, but Bari better pick it up. A FVV / Green / Brooks / Thompson / Sengun lineup is intriguing.
Bari has skills to develop into the kind of player you want on the court. He's the incumbent starter. Amen has flat out been a better player, though in their short careers. That isn't hate. The thing holding Amen back is that it is hard to have multiple nonshooterrs on the court at the same time. If Bari doesn't improve, he's going to have a hard time holding on to his starting spot.
Amen is always great on the floor - but I wonder if he can be the go to guy on a team. The one you give the ball with 5 seconds left needing a score. So far I see more of an ultra valuable role player that makes the team better without needing the ball in his hands. But with a mid range shot, a little more craftiness and more of a killer instinct he could be lethal.
I don't hate Bari. I've been one of his biggest supporters. But he was pretty bad in the first three preseason game, and its fair to point that out, as well as the fact that Amen was playing awesome.
I don’t think your assumptions are off, but preseason is still just preseason. We can’t be sure if Amen will perform better than Bari in real games.
The thing is, Amen outplayed Bari last season. The question is fit with Sengun. Bari is starting over Amen because he's a better shooter. Bari is also a better defensive rebounder. I don't think Bari will be moved from the starting lineup because he's probably going to be a long term starter PF for the Rockets, and Amen likely will be the starting SF or maybe starting SG. Just makes sense to keep players in their likely long term roles.
I don't know. Maybe he ends up being our Draymond Green. But I think he absolutely has the talent to develop into a first or second option.
Watched him at the game last night, he has a nice floater, his shot has improved and his athleticism and size are a major advantage. Great defender as well. DD
Amen doesn't need to start, yet. Total minutes and finishing games are far more important for him and Rockets. I do think the starting lineup is stale and might change sooner than we think. For now, I want Amen to play off the bench with Tari and Steven Adams. Those three have great chemistry on both ends.
