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Jabari Smith Jr. is the Rockets' franchise player

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Houston77, Jul 7, 2023.

  1. bustamove

    bustamove Member

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    FVV is too short to see Jabari and kickout to him
    Jalen is more worried getting his 30
    Dillon is just Dillon
     
    roslolian and ceonwuka like this.
  2. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    yes, he’s being more physical. @Hemingway pointed out that he looks stronger and you can definitely see that in the way he’s bullying.
     
  3. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    Bari, KD…who is our 3rd spacer in the starting lineup? I’m assuming it will ultimately be DFS, but I think our starting 5 is gonna struggle to shoot from range until DFS comes back. The double big gives you two non-shooters and then there’s Amen. I don’t like it, but I do believe in the Bari/KD super long sharp shooting combo.
     
  4. bustamove

    bustamove Member

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    Reed or JD
     
  5. roslolian

    roslolian Member

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    Amen and Sengun are now below average shooters not non-shooters, both have been putting in the work. I think the 5th guy will be DFS since Ime likes his vets.
     
  6. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    Reed is not ready to be a starter. It’s very clear to me that he’s going to need another year of development before he’s ready to play starter’s minutes. JD does not have any track record of being a good long-range shooter.

    I just think it’s a big hole that we’ll have to patch with duct tape in the early part of the season. I’m sure we’ll get creative and find a way to tread water, but I don’t see a viable solution in the near-term. I’m praying DFS has no set backs. His role is going to be so much more important than I think folks realize, especially with Fred’s shooting out of the lineup.
     
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  7. bustamove

    bustamove Member

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    so you'd rather have a non shooter on the line up?

    reed might not be ready but he's the best shooter who is closest to being ready...
     
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  8. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    the problem is that Reed actually hasn’t been a good shooter since entering the nba. He’s a huge defensive liability and doesn't look comfortable on the floor. He’s also still turnover prone and his handle isn’t great. I have confidence in his ability to develop into a good player but I just don’t see how he’s ready to take on a starting role to start the season. I think I’d rather lean into our size and try to grind it out until DFS comes back. But it’s a tough call because 3 non-shooters in the starting lineup sucks.
     
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  9. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    He shot from three 10/18 (56%) in his two starts last season and 6/14 (43%) in his three preseason games so far. It's a small sample size but it is also his latest performances with significant play time.

    Besides, from the eye test, teams are paying attention to his shooting. His off ball gravity is real.

    It may be debatable whether he should be a starter. But he is a spacer when he is on the court. Before DFS returns, he is the only viable third spacer you can put on the court, unless you prefer Holiday over him. But even if DFS is healthy, he probably can't play in the backcourt full time. Same with Tari.
     
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  10. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    I just don’t think two regular season games and 3 preseason games is a sample size at all. I am not doubting that Reed can shoot and I agree that he’s the only 3rd spacing option other than Holiday. But I guess I’d be shocked if they made him a starter given all of the other deficiencies in his game. He certainly hasn’t earned a starting job. As far as the importance of having another guard in the starting backcourt, it was clear to me that the org didn’t care much about that when they ignored the backcourt in the offseason. It was inevitable that Fred would miss at least some time this season. But I guess they felt like Amen and Reed would be able to take over. We’re gonna find out I guess.

    regardless of course I’m rooting for Reed to succeed. But the eye test tells me he’s not ready for a starting role. Will be interesting to see what Ime does.
     
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  11. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    I was not happy that they didn't address the depth issue in the backcourt. Both Stone and Udoka indicated that they were banking on Reed being a key piece in the rotation. Of course, they were assuming that FVV would be the starter and Reed would be the main backup and hoped that Reed would gradually take over the starting job. But even before the season ending injury, FVV was not likely to be healthy all season long. We really don't have a lot of options there.

    As of now, there are too many mouths to feed in the front court and not enough in the back court.
     
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  12. yixiixiy

    yixiixiy Member

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    Jabargain



    Jabargain

    also not great for Tari’s negotiation imo
     
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  13. MrButtocks

    MrButtocks Member

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    Depth at guard is less of an issue when you have other creators. Denver is just as strong a contender as any other team besides OKC in my opinion and they literally only have Murray at PG. Jokic is their primary playmaker so their offense doesn't take a huge hit when Murray misses games or goes to the bench. The 2020 Lakers barely had a PG at all besides Rondo at the end of his career, but Lebron was the true creator. Both teams tried adding Westbrook for more playmaking and it didn't work out. In both cases 3 and D role players like KCP were way more valuable than another PG.

    Sengun has demonstrated in Eurobasket and preseason that he has primary playmaker potential. He's averaging 8.6 assists to 2.6 turnovers in 24 minutes. In every game he's had at least six assists. Amen is raw but he has passing potential as well. Surround them shooters like KD and good defensive players and I doubt we'll complain much about guard depth. Based on preseason I'm much more worried about our defense than our guard play. If healthy, DFS can fill in that KCP role which is much more important than another guy that can pass.
     
  14. RHU525

    RHU525 Member
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    Amen is 4-5 from three and I don’t think he’s missed a free throw in 3 games. Are we sure he’s still a below average shooter?
     
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  15. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Him and Antman are from Georgia, so the best are from DC.....tons of others.

     
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  16. roslolian

    roslolian Member

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    Small sample size unfortunately. Lets wait for volume first.
     
  17. RocketsFido

    RocketsFido Member

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    lolKangz paid Keegan Murray 140M/5 years, we got a bargain for Jabari.

    The problem is Tari probably thinks he's worth at least that much.
     
  18. BIGThirsty

    BIGThirsty Member

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    R33D SH3PPARD
     
  19. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    that is awesome. Great to see the rockets show up for their teammate. Really cool.
     
  20. Aruba77

    Aruba77 Member

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    it’s the Sacramento sucks as a city, as a roster, and as an organization tax. They can’t afford to move off a high draft pick they’ve spent 3 yrs developing. Clearly a desperate overpay.
     

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