He could be a borderline All Star or more if he keeps up his energy level. Hope he does over a season and with extended minutes. I am as high on him as I was on Tari Eason, he is merely 4 months older than Eason so they are both around the same age in my books.
His postgame breakdown of the Trae/Dejonte plan tells me he speaks the language of defense fluently. So no, not for sale. He is eligible to sign an extension though.
If we trade him for Kuminga or whatever other young guy who is even more of a project than KJ then I will lose a lot of faith in our front office. Even if it gets rid of Ego, it would be the irreparable.
KJ reminds me a lot of Shawn Marion. I love his game, attitude and he will only continue to get better. There is no reason why this man shouldn't be starting over Gordon. Gordon coming off the bench is a role he is much more suited and would only help the Rockets guard depth (and hopefully mean less minutes for Nix).
AND, let kJ coming off the bench is murder, that equals to a delay of good time for him to develop into an elite player. he deserves to start.
It does matter when you start each game at a deficit and the Rockets have to climb out of a hole. Gordon is getting 30+ minutes a night when some of those minutes could be divided among the young guys (Martin, Eason, etc.) It is not like starting Gordon is going to propel the Rockets into the playoffs. If they are going to lose might as well do it with youth (athough, I actually think Rockets starting KJ and more minutes to Tari will translate to more wins).
As much as I hate it when players say they don't want to play here, in his case I am beginning to understand why. Nothing to do with the city or the team, everything to do with a coach/ front office force feeding other players in front of him
Slightly disagree, the starting five had Gordon who played mentally checked out at times and only chucked 3s. A breeze of fresh air was badly needed.
Great game by KJ last night and awesome team win! Let's get this young fella extended and promote him to starting SF from the Goon Squad,
He should be on the floor at the same time as Alpi and Tari and TyTy. TyTy Green KMJ Tari Alpi This lineup would kick ass.
