He needed this. We needed this. It’s almost like the starting lineup got a little break tonight because someone else showed up. Please make it a regular thing. 50+ wins incoming.
It’s funny. Some of these posters make it sound like it was everyone else’s fault, even Udoka’s. Good thing our players take more accountability for themselves than our fans do. Jabari has been left wide open all season.
Not sure "love" is the right word for this. I absolutely love 9-4, love the depth, but the greatest teams have solid pecking order. Not sure this can last. Last year was a bit messy, but this year is messier. Last year we went in thinking this was Fred and Dillon team, but then Alperen took over somewhat. This year I don't know what the pecking order is at all. Our big money guys are Alperen, Fred and Jalen but they haven't looked the part. Is Fred a transitionary guy or are we going to keep him? Can we afford to, given the money we gave to Alpi/Jalen and given that Jabari/Tari/Amen we probably also want to keep? So let's enjoy the moment but I think at some point the team will need to crystalize it's pecking order.
Welcome back, Age..... I do think there is the bench tandem unit of Tari and Amen that is the driving force to either come back from deficit or expand the lead...... And the Starters only have to show up every other game. The bench hierarchy is being set.
9-4 with 5th best point differential in the league, young talent everywhere, and a super fun team to watch. Yes, we have have streaky players - but they are young and constantly remind us how high the ceiling is, and we have enough of them that one is always going off. Only the Thunder are clearly better both now and mid/long term in the west. If that’s “so unlucky” for you, you might have unrealistic expectations.
I really like Jabari and want him to succeed… but there is a difference. Jalen has shown quite a bit by that time. The big knock on him was and is his inconsistency. Yeah, he also was bad on defense, and bad at finishing over taller defenders, but he had plenty of great games where he just took over. He was and still is the player with the highest upside. Jabaris only game like that was in his second summer league. Yeah, he had some good games before, he even had some stretches in which he played really good, but he never looked like a potential first option. And most of the time he looked passive and out of sync. What I want out of Jabari is the will to take over games - I want a player that wants the ball and gets to his spots for good shots and take them. He can shoot over anybody and he has a nice jumper. His shot not falling is bad - but for a young player with good mechanics and a good history of making shots, I can live with that. But him seemingly being ok with only taking 5 shots a night and those shots are a mixture of corner 3s and putbacks without being involved in the offense outside of that, is what really irks me. I want the mentality of summer league Jabari. That doesn‘t mean that he always should be taking more than 10 shots - but I want him to want to do that and only taking less shots, if the defense concentrates on him or if other players are just going off. I still think this is a mental problem, not a skill problem. Oh and that last game was good, but it still was more the play of a role player, that makes his shot - outside of that insane stretch where he couldn‘t miss. He won‘t be making shots at that rate going forward, but lets hope this is a step forward.
The “pecking” order is clear as it’s Green and Sengun. Their performance has included highs and lows so far but it’s still early in the season. Good teams always have guys that can step up in a supporting role and this team has that. And the Rockets are a unique and very deep team. How many teams have 2 lockdown defenders on the bench with great synergy that can consistently get out on transition and create TO’s?
Why would that be “impossible” to scout? If they are inconsistent then that should be part of the assessment of their performances thus far. Scouting means a complete assessment of their abilities and potential as a player based on their on court performance. Smith shot .539 in 2pt% and .363 3pt% last year. He has been cold this year but the season is young and he’s coming off a great game.
Nice to see Jabari bounce back. Only nimrods want to trade our guys and buy high sell low. Imagine using a top 3 pick and then immediately giving up on him just a couple years later. Jabari is just 21 I dont know if he can be a star but he can definitely be a really good 2 way player.
Players go through slumps all the time. I’m sure you’ve gone thru slumps yourself in your life whether it’s your job, marriage, relationship with your kids etc. Stop judging so harshly as the season is still young.
