Consider this, then tell us what you think about the Team score in 2023 -2024 season

Consider this: why all bold?

 

He is 85 lol

 

If Jabari Smith averages 22 ppg next season I will eat a basketball

However I would expect maybe 15-18 from any of Amen, Fred, Sengun. Depends on how the usage shakes out. I'm more interested in seeing assist numbers increase.

 

If he regains his 3 point shooting range it's not out of consideration. Not likely to jump 10 points in scoring his sophomore season, but removing Silas, regaining his form and being placed in good shooting situations, could be.

 

Efficiency aside, jumping from 22.1 ppg to 27 is a lot. Going by last season's list, Green was 34th, if jumped to 27 ppg, would put him 13th. Leap frogging over 21 other NBA stars.

11. Booker 27.8
12. Irving 27.1
...
13. Jalen Brown 26.6
14. Trae / Morant 26.2
15. Zion 26.0
16. Anthony Davis 25.9


In the recent Locked On Rockets, Gatlin gave the over / under ppg Green question to Craig Ackerman for 25 ppg for next season. Ackerman gave an under. Feigan, the episode before also had under. I can see maybe Green still having same number of shot attempts as last year, but to increase his ppg, he'd have to be more efficient or more free throw attempts.

On the original question; assuming if Sengun and Bari got same number of shots as last year, if we minus KPJ but add in FVV and Dillon Brooks, there's technically less shot attempts to spread around.

In terms of growth as a team, I'm ok if offense stagnates, since spacing will be poor, but hope is team defensive ranking takes a leap to middle of the pack, that includes Green's defense.

 

Suppose you find the statistical measures unreasonably possible, would Kevin Porter Jr go back to starting center?

 

If that were to happen, wait for the articles to justify it. "More of a lob threat."

 

I genuinely think it's more likely that Green and Sengun take the leap, I picture Jabari having his version of Jalen's second season tbh. I think Green might go to 24-26ppg if his efficiency jumps and he looks as good as he has in these summer runs, and I think Sengun's going to get more play and put up slightly better assist numbers (maybe 5.5-6 apg) and take a marked jump in scoring numbers. Under Silas Alpi didn't actually get the chance to be a scorer much, which is what he is. I think with more usage it's more believable Sengun becomes a 20-10 player next year than Jabari becomes a 22ppg player in all honesty.

 

Fvv-Sengun pnr is crucial. Last year almost no effective pnr game. If that works well, Jabari will have a jump in points, green in efficiency, Sengun in assists. For green I’d rather see efficiency increase before points.

 

I don't think it's going to be Jabari scoring 22. I think Jabari will make major improvements but mostly on defense and efficiency. He's going to become a hell of a good defender under Udoka. He'll compete with FVV and Brooks for shot opportunities. Jabari's issues last season were that he was like the 7th youngest player in the whole league and no matter how hard he played defense the team defense would ultimately break down somewhere. It was a bad season for anyone who wanted to show off their defense, that was roster-wide. This is now a much steadier situation and I think Udoka will give him confidence and appreciate his value in a steady defense.

Similar with Green. I don't think Udoka will automatically give him more shots than last season. He'll have to earn it. I have a feeling he's going to average 5+ assists this season.

Sengun will have an easier time scoring because the passing from the backcourt is going to improve a lot with the additions of FVV and Amen.

 

Green won't average 27.

Smith won't average 22.

 

Asik is going to kill Dwight. Looks like a Friday the 13th scene.

 

I'm big on:
3-pt shooting---->greater facilitator(s) action---->greater off efficiency
------------------

I would have gone for Brook Lopez, Cam Johnson, Seth Curry for
greater spacing, with greater spacing begets greater off efficiency.
VanVleet, Dillon fail in that aspect.
--------------------

[ usual 5-men out set ]
--------------------------------O (rim)-------------------------------------
Jabari......X..............................X....................Jalen Green

............................X.......................X

............(ball)..*...................X.......................................Dillon
.................VanVleet
.............................................................Sengun


As I've mentioned before: I'd play a Box & 1 defense vs the Rockets.
Rockets players are not made for jump shooting. I'd take away points
in the paint/rim. One defender staying close to
Jabari (who is the closest to a true jump shooter).

X = defenders making up "Box"
X = defender making up "1"

[ the others need to mix in layups and/or floaters, free throws
to be efficient jump shooters]
------------------

But Apache, Ime likes movement and off ball screens.

One of Ime Udoka's favorite plays (with off ball screen)

--------------------------------O (rim)-------------------------------------
.......................................................X.................VanVleet
.............................X.......................X
..............................................................Sengun
................Dillon..................X.......................l
................∆.......X....….........…......(ball)..*....∆
..........Jabari......................................Jalen Green

.................

I protect the rim and paint and force the Rockets
to be predominately a jump shooting team.
If the Rockets shoot well in the first half...
I might make adjustments accordingly.

Scenario should lead to approximately 24 games of the 82 in which
the predominately jump shooting Rockets win. 31 wins for season
resulting from trades and extrinsic factors such as opponent injuries
or fatigue due to back to backs.

Points
Green 24-25
VanVleet 13
Jabari 16
Sengun 15
KPj 14
Dillon 12
Amen 9
Tari 9
Jock 7