Cam Whitmore putting in work

If Cam is sincere and not trying to be politically correct, I might end up being a WOF.

 

I've been one of the biggest Green supporters on here but I REALLY like Cam Whitmore. His combination of size, strength and athleticism is what this team needs at the 2. This combination gives a guard the physical tools to be a consistent high scorer by getting to the foul line like Harden, especially on nights when the jumpshot isn't falling. And... he's a better shooter than Jalen, at least at this point in their careers. I would not be surprised if Jalen is moved in the summer if the right package is available and Cam gets the keys at the 2. This kid is ready for real minutes and gives what the Rockets actually need RIGHT now.

 

The way he throws his body at defenders on the break DOES translate - bully ball at it's finest. Honestly if he could teach Jalen anything - it's THAT.

 

I don’t think Jalen being the primary ball handler suits his strengths, and would limit the team. I think Jalen Green will eventually find his way to becoming a good player as a scorer but Ime may have a different timeline than the pace he’s developing at. We’ll see, still rooting for JG to have a place on this team.

 

I hate to use the word never, but Jalen will never be the primary ball handler on a good team. It doesn't suit his mentality on offense nor his skillset.

Jalen is the "walking bucket" type of player who's main purpose is putting the ball in the basket. He's not a gifted passer and doesn't have good floor vision. When FVV leaves, the Rockets will have someone else take over the perimeter point position on offense.

Jalen and Cam do NOT complement each other; they duplicate each other. If the Cam fans are right and he joins the starting lineup at some point, Jalen is probably done as a Rocket.

 

This

If anyone is being mentored by FVV to be primary ball handler, it is Amen.

Green is not naturally gifted with court vision, and has a weak handle in traffic. I don't see him making a positive impact as a PG in the NBA.
(Things can change though)

 

Can Hitmore (threes)

 

Whitmore is built to absorb contact and hit fg at a high%. So far ahead of the curve offensively for his age. Stud.

 

he and green can play together. exciting days ahead.

 

There is absolutely no way that Green is going to be a primary playmaker.

He's in year 3 of his professional career.

Been a guard his entire life.

No one develops primary ballhandling skills to be an elite playmaker so far into their basketball career - not their professional career - their basketball career.

These are skills you are either born with or develop in your juvenile days of playing.

I obviously don't have a tremendous grasp of NBA history but is there someone who has gone from being so bad with their handles - not even just in traffic - at being shown the slightest pressure on the perimeter, and someone one day years into their career turned into a primary ballhandler?

I don't see it.

Now I do see a Cam and Amen backcourt, that's for sure.

 

But not good enough defensively to have on the court for long stretches, IMO. Takes too many gambles and gets dumb fouls. I can see where, in time, he's going to be a major contributor. But patience is definitely needed.

 

Yeah and he doesn't necessarily hustle back on D.

DD

 

Reminds me so much of Maggette-with a better stroke from outside

 

Cam will be much better than Bridges, or any other 3rd option on a championship team. Imagine him in a couple of years. Ime is building a complete basketball player. Not just a scorer. Future all star no doubt. Forget trading the farm for high end role players. We have enough in house to grow with. Cam may rival Anthony Edwards in just a couple of years as a scorer.

 

Ime is exactly the right coach to hold Cam accountable and make him work on his attitude, defense, and understanding of the game.

But look at Cam's %% from the field today.

There is a good chance that he will be the better shooting guard for this team.

 

Yeah, that's what I see too - I believe it was Royce O'Neale who ate him up on 3 different possessions before Ime called a timeout in the 2nd quarter(opened his body up to allow a steal on a handoff, helped Uncle Jeff unnecessarily hard leaving O'Neale a wide open 3, and I think there were a few kind of lazy 3pt close outs to his man at the start of the possession). The instant shooting was nice, but there was some tough lessons hopefully he learned from tonight.

I will say this about Cam though - there were a few times where him and big bodied Day'ron Sharpe collided and Sharpe fell backwards. I think for Udoka that's a REALLY positive sign that Cam can ultimately become an uber switchable player - Cam was holding his ground in the post against much bigger players. If there was ever a situation where Jalen Green becomes expendable with Whitmore under Coach Udoka, it will be because of that. Ultimately Udoka's coaching style is about defensive versatility and effort. If Cam can bring more defensive effort and continues to be a more consistent shooter than Jalen, I could see Udoka preferring Cam. We are still a year plus away from that day because Cam is still very rough but hopefully Green sees he has to raise his play because that argument is only going to get louder the more playing time Cam gets.

 

I don't know where the idea of Cam playing "hero ball" came from.

Every shot I've seen him take this season has been a shot you probably want him to take.

Lots of transition buckets, three's mostly off the catch or some action, dunks off of cuts and drives.

Here's a video with every bucket from Cam this season - I don't see a single instance of "hero ball."
I don't see a single Isolation possession.

Even Ime said "the shot selection is great"