ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Cavaliers 1/25/2025

Here are the things that give me hope... how well this team plays against quality (playoff) teams. Considered among the top 6 teams according to their record: 7-2. A 78% winning record against those teams, better than their overall 68% winning record. This shows that the team has the ability to elevate their game when they focus and are tuned in (which, naturally, they tend to do more against elite teams). It gives me confidence they can prevail in a playoff series, even as a young and inexperienced playoff team.

1-1 against OKC
2-0 against Cavs
3-0 against Grizz
0-1 against Celtics
1-0 against Knicks

 

Im with you on questioning how high my expectations need to be... but you have to imagine that any team that has to play us in a 7 game series is going to be concerned, and is going to get tired from the physicality. That and the fact that nearly every single guy has talked about the chemistry and brotherhood. All that bodes well for now and in the future.

 

Play-offs will be a true test, but that’s what it will take for us to get to become a contender in 2-3 years. Even when Harden was here, our games were far from pretty once it became all iso, threes and CP3’s show. I loved that 17-18 team, but I haven’t felt about a team like this since 13-14 / 14-15. Effort, hustle and aesthetically pleasing basketball. This time with athletic players who make great plays on both sides of the ball.

 

Wemby is a much better shooter than Amen, and is much taller. Amen is much faster, more athletic, and has better natural feel for the game (and probably has better work ethic although I have no way to know for sure).

If Amen was a good shooter, he would be considered at Wemby's "generational" level. So if Amen develops a shot that is comparable to Wemby's, or if he consistently scores close to 30ppg (MVP) level, then he will be challenging Wemby as the best player in their draft class. Until then, Wemby's only potential down fall is injury.

 

Great game all around. Amen’s defense on Mobley confirms he can guard all 5 positions on the court. Indeed, an extremely rare talent. That was such a fun game; everyone contributed.

 

From what I’ve read, I’m pretty sure Wemby has a really good work ethic as well. It’s impossible to compare the two but point being is they both are good when it comes to that.

 

Amen is hands down our best player.

 

Yep. When it’s all said and done 20 years from, Amen will be the closest Rocket to be considered as a “Generational” talent.

It’s scary to think that he is just getting started.

Buckle up, it’s gonna be a fun ride watching his ascent to greatness.

 

Lulz at thinking Green is a good defensive player, he's better than he has been but that was an abymsal level.

 

he is a good defensive player stop hating

 

Im glad you emphasized "WAS"

 

Wemby is the best prospect ever, even better than Lebron so on paper no one is comparable to him. The only issue is health.

 

I think JG's baseline now on defense is kind of average-ish, but he will occasionally really crank up his effort level and become legitimately good. So I guess that makes him an above-average defensive player on the whole? Probably just barely though, by the margin of a couple of A+ "great job dude" plays each game.

 

There was play right before half at around 3:10 when Jalen and Sengun were defending the pnr action between Garland and Allen and they trapped Garland good and Allen rolled to the to the basket From top of the key for a dunk. Dillon and FVV was back there. FVV was on the weak side and Dillon also there but neither stepped up. The vets was getting on Alpi but I thought he defended it well enough. I was watching reaction vids to the game and two guys both said that the breakdown was FVV, because he wa a weak side and the closet but that really it was both the vets because neither stepped up. And its not cool tk keep getting onthe young guys when they’re make the right play. Ime called a timeout and you see Dillon and FVv still getting on Alpi but he’s not having it and getting frustrated. Jalen steps in to defuse the situation. I love the leadership by Jalen to defend Alpi

 

.

 

Cuz!!