ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Thunder 10/9/2024 (Preseason)

Two things:

1. I don't believe Amen is actually a 14% three point shooter moving forward into the future, or probably very close to that at all. He was a rookie who took only 58 attempts last season. That's not enough to form a stable, predictive sample. His FT%, while poor, is not in that godawful range you see from guys who have absolutely no touch.

2. I would argue Draymond Green has effectively been a non-shooter for the majority of his career, and there's not actually a big difference in terms of spacing between somebody who shoots literally 0% from three and somebody who shoots around 30% from three. That's a bad shot and it's one you definitely want the opposing team taking (0.9 points per possession is atrocious in today's league).

With all of that said, I agree it's hard to play two non-shooters in today's league. Not convinced that Sengun + Thompson will both be non-shooters though. (With Sengun being the more likely of the two to shoot it decently well.)

 

Interesting proposal. I would like to see how those would work out, but I don't think we will.

 

I think Draymond is not only the enforcer and defender. He is sort of the soul of the team.

Only a few non shooters can become that important.

 

Someone has to tell Sengun that only the very worst defenders are going to bite on that 3pt pump fake. I feel like every time he takes a 3 it's a last case resort because no one bit on the pump fake and the defense is not trying to close out on him. He mind as well line up every shot like he has all the time in the world because teams are daring him to take it at this point. His shot doesn't look terrible either - I agree with Udoka that there is a mindset thing Alpi needs to get over.

 

Sengun's FT & 3-Point form look a lot better in pre-season. Just let the 3-Pointers fly. Hit 35% and then the pump fake might actually work.

 

Team is obviously a lot worse without Fred. I thought keeping it to 10 or so for the first half wasn't bad actually, especially since lots of guys didn't really have good games. OKC is just ahead of us at this point.

 

Yippee yi yo.

 

Sengun popped that one early. No pump fakes, no hesitation and it was butter. I don’t even care if he still hovers at like 30%, if he just shot the ball like that mindset he’d be so much more effective with a pump fake now and then.

 

Sengun deserves the Max.

DD

 

OKC was not shooting that well early on.......otherwise 20 ish deficit.

 

Rox is an SGA behind OKC sad to say. We need one of the guys to take that leap before we can be on par with OKC but even then OKC has a bajillion picks to supplement their big 3 and a bunch of solid role players like Dort, Harty, Caruso and Cason Wallace.

It ain't fair lol.

 

If he's only shooting 30% it remains a bad shot and there will still be no reason for defenders to close out. They will let him take it all day long.

 

Don't go its a big waste of time. They keep the doors closed for a long time so you'll bake in the sun,15 min passing drills and thats it, some small talk, horrendous garage traffic jam.

 

It is good to know a Pacific Islander even if he is not 6 foot 11.

 

Maybe no desperation closeouts but anyone shooting north of 30 is at least keeping that defender from packing the paint.

If Sengun shoots 32% from 3 and he walks into his first shot ripping the net is the defender going to give us a dissertation on why it’s likely he’ll miss the next two shots or is the defender going to guard him out to the line?

 

Rockets was not shooting that well early on.......otherwise tie ish game.

 

You ignored the 1st half, OKC blocked Bari, Dillon, blocked almost anyone, lol.

But I agree the better Offense would normally lead.

If they just shot close to 80% on FT instead of 56% a larger lead.