Kinda ruined your whole argument when you said you expect KPJ to average 6 assists a game. He averaged 6.5 last season despite splitting time at SG. And I like to use the most recent data when evaluating a player. So, yes, I’ll track his preseason shooting averages, because, guess what: Players improve, especially those who started at 19.
I meant in the 6’s and I said over the whole season, not 20 games. He is still learning the position and many point guards average the same or very similar numbers for years and many starting point guards never average 7 or 8 apg for a season in their career. And, yes, it is possible for stats to drop any given year.
Care to make a wager? I’ll bet 50 to the tip jar that KPJ averages 7+ assists this season. If he plays fewer than 40 games, it’s a push.
Watching the team so far: I really like Sengun. Makes smart and creative plays, particularly for his age. I don't like KPJ. Obviously he has talent. But he makes too many poor decisions and doesn't use or involve his teammates well. My current opinion is that KPJ will have more value in trade, because of his talent, than he will as a Rocket on the court. But he's young, so I'll wait to see how he develops.
Agreed. This is why I wonder when Silas is going to put his foot down amd actuslly start guiding the young man. He needs direction. Hopefully it is just a learning curve.
Agreed. The real problem there though, is with him playing at such a crucial position his volatility has the potential to affect/impede the growth and development of other players on the team. That's why, to me, more important than counting stats is seeing how quickly he can grasp the mental aspect of being an offense initiator and lead facilitator.
I wouldn't be surprised if he's waived or traded within the next year if he fails to be a legit starting PG. We would have to find one. Jalen Green is NOT a ball-handler right now.... and we picked him at #2, I think we'd have to attempt to support his career growth over praying KPJ will put it together if he underperforms in that role. Would KPJ accept the 6th/7th man role being a spark plug off the bench in that scenario? Not getting major minutes every night? He absolutely should in theory but clearly, he's had issues.
You guys are some clowns for expecting him to be a superstar in the preseason in his age 21 season. He’s playing a new position with a brand new team and the coach has said they’re not going to run plays till the start of the season. It’s likely we’ll get some better version of what we got last year with hopefully more consistency. Give the roster of a bunch of 19-20 year olds time to grow and make mistakes and learn to play with each other. KPJ will have games this year where he looks like a superstar and some where he looks like a lost 21 year old. Him, Jalen, Sengun should get free reign to tank the season and get bullied around by veteran teams. This is a 3-5 year rebuild not a 1 year reset.
Reminder: your eye test is not always reliable. Scoot and Snipa have been the most efficient players for Rockets this preseason. Porter has the most points and Armoni has the best TS%. And it really hasn't been even close.
This isn’t an eye test argument. Reason being, as far as stats go, we’ve only played 3 games and he’s been dog **** in two of them. So my advanced stats say he’s been awful in 67% of our games lol.
He is a first time PG, if it was easy then every player could do it. What is your hurry, this team as currently constructed is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Someone wants to be the first to say "SEE I told you he would be trash" and then pin a ribbon to their chest.