I think the main reason he is not yet getting minutes is that the coaches don't want to have too many variables at the same time. They first want to see what they get from the other young guys, and then tweak.
Evan Mobley has been garbage this season and the Cavs are 1-3. The guy still can't shoot beyond 5 feet and also can't defend true centers. They've hidden him on defense with Allen for so long but that type of team construct will never get you far. Not saying Jalen is better than Mobley, but he isn't worse than him either. Derrick Lively and Chet Holmgren are probably going to be better players than Mobley. Herro has also largely been a bench brigadier his whole career. For a reason. He can't carry an offense. I'm lower on Jalen than most these days and will still tell you that his archetype is hard to find. Which is why he isn't going anywhere.
Rockets need to solve their bench problem quickly The Rockets bench has been outscored by 68 points and double digits each of the first three games. More numbers show the slow start for the Rockets bench. Last in net rating Last in three-point percentage 28th in offensive rating 27th in PPG Whitmore is coming off an MVP during the Summer League and a productive preseason. So far, Whitmore has played only nine minutes this season, and all nine came in the first game during garbage time. Whitmore hasn't played in the last two games. To be fair, Reggie Bullock, the player who more than likely would lose minutes if Whitmore gains minutes, only played six minutes in the loss to the Warriors. Another candidate to lose minutes could be Jae'Sean Tate, who played over 20 minutes last game and had an overall positive impact. The coaching staff and front office like what Tate brings, so I find it hard to believe he will fall out of the rotation anytime soon. https://www.thedreamshake.com/2023/...h-problem-quickly-jaesean-tate-tari-eason-nba
I do hope Tari Eason returns soon. Our mid-first round picks of late--Sengun, Eason--have been wins. The lottery dudes, not so much (yet?)
Unfortunately I would expect to see mostly Holiday. We need somebody to spell Fred. Holiday's not that much of a floor general, but certainly moreso than Cam. Maybe Cam will get 10mpg or so at the 3 while Amen is out?
I trust Ime to try and win the most games he can and to use whatever players he feels will give him the opportunity to do that. Bullock played poorly and has been benched for now. We don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with the coaching staff. Maybe they are trying to correct some defensive rotations or attitudes with Cam and others. I’m anxious to see him mostly because in the pre-season and summer league he showed to be a high energy player that can cause some havoc on the floor, but maybe Ime and the staff want to see him play a little more under control before they throw him to the Wolves.
I get the feeling that Ime thinks Cam watching the game and observing will be better than rushing him into development. I've said it during Summer League but I think learning healthy habits will be the most crucial aspect to him becoming a good player. Letting him run around and chuck shots as a 19 year old isn't going to do any good for either party. Let Cam watch and get some burn in the second half of the season. It will gear him up for having a bigger, more important role for next year.
Not really understanding why Cam isn't playing at all. This is a bad team with a terrible bench. You won't convince me that he couldn't do as well as some of the others. It's starting to feel like something else might be going on.
What? No he isn't, he isn't close to even GOOD at driving to the basket - he has one speed only, never changes speeds or directions, he has a suspect left hand, and his dribble is average AT BEST. He needs a ton of work he has almost ZERO 1v1 ISO moves, he needs to develop his handle, his left hand, the ability to change speeds and directions and THEN he will be good at going to the hole. Then he can work on taking on contact and finishing through it instead of falling on his ass like he does now. DD
These are all opinions. Is there any data out there to rank who are the best finishers around the basket? Should exclude PF/Cs from the list since most of their shots are initiated within 5 feet anyway or are simply put-backs, lobs, etc. No doubt that he is young and still makes mistakes but I'm genuinely curious how he stacks up so far.
With Amen Thompson out 'weeks,' Rockets turn to new bench options So with Thompson out, where exactly can Udoka turn? He has a pair of leading options. Veteran point guard Aaron Holiday logged his first non-blowout minutes of the season in Wednesday's win, scoring six points while providing strong defense in just under 11 minutes on the floor. Holiday is a touch undersized as a 6-foot-0 guard. Udoka is confident Holiday's effort and technique will make up for any height disadvantage. "Aaron is a guy, that, similar to his brother [Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday], doesn't have the height but is very physical, tough guy, that can play on and off the ball" Udoka said Thursday. "Aaron is one of our more physical players. He plays a little bit bigger than he is." There's an additional—and potentially enticing—option for Udoka, in which he can replace one rookie with another with No. 20 pick Cam Whitmore. The Villanova product won Summer League MVP and showed flashes of his impressive scoring ability throughout the preseason, though he hasn't played in each of the last three games. Udoka didn't indicate whether he was ready to give Whitmore consistent minutes when speaking with the media Thursday. Udoka also didn't discount the idea, noting his nightly rotation will "depend on the matchup." https://www.chron.com/sports/rockets/article/amen-thompson-injury-update-18464988.php
I am pretty sure Ime isnt going to insert him until he is ready. Holiday getting some minutes last night tells me thats who will replace Thompson, for now. But if Holiday doesnt look good out there, Cam is one of the few options left.
