Where’s that running game and mentality of hounding everyone for fast break opportunities? Simply more responsibilities for Amen, both starting, losing synergy and or coaching stressing slow paced offense? Mind blowing how a young team who had these guys as a duo striking fear in opponents eyes, now are just not there anymore.
Being that kind of player takes effort, desire, and focus. You could state 100 different excuses for that, but that's the main difference in last year's "terror twins" and this years version of Amen, and Tari which are more or less high end role players. I think they both play solid defense, but there are no difference maker moments like last year where they would turn it on and completely change the game. Even though the stats probably don't show this, I actually am more impressed with Tari's development this year to becoming a valuable NBA rotation player every team would want, and have use for. I think what Amen is showing himself to be... while dynamic at what he displays athletically attacking the rim, is showing some warning signs about an inability to fit in anywhere, and having liabilities that could be extremely problematic in the future. If Amen does not develop a shot of any kind, then I see a not so distant future where the Rockets are going to have to choose between Amen and Sengun. Either that or once his athleticism declines, if he wants to still play point guard, he'll be relegated to more of a Shaun Livingston Garrett Temple type of role. He's so dynamic athletically right now that it almost is a warning sign that he could drop off quick in this league if he doesn't learn how to become a basketball player instead of just an insane athlete on a basketball team. Putting him at point guard now with so little skill is pretty risky for pigeon holing him and risking his future if you do want him to be an all star caliber player, or at least a high end role player that teams have value for. Right now the guy is more Shaun Marion than Penny Hardaway as much as we want him to be. If you take him out of that Shaun Marion role too long then you'll be running the risk of pigeon holing the guy his entire career. I'm not in love with taking that risk because Amen was realllllyyy freaking good in the Marion role. Like difference maker good.
They have different roles and different defensive assignments this year. I don't think people realize how much Jalen Green actually offered as a the primary point of attack defender chasing over picks all game long. Amen largely has that duty now instead of being staying glued onto their other team's top wing player all game long like was last year.
Jalen Green was so frustrating in his inconsistencies but I think people forget how big of a part of our team scheme he was. People always go back to FVV and his absence, but in reality its Jalen that was the true focal point. FVV was often a floor spacer for Jalen in our offensive sets more than he was a true PG. Shifting to an offense where you put Amen in that position has been a significant downgrade on the nights where Jalen actually decided to show up, and Amen is often bringing the ball up to start the offense, and then deferring to Sengun or KD, and then trying to then shift into the dunker spot 15 seconds into the 24 second shot clock. If you are going to put Amen into the Jalen Green role, put him immediately in an attacking pick and role, and stop with the indecisive "Horns" sets with Sengun, and KD at the high posts. I'm just sort of baffled by what they are doing with Amen this year... but I guess trying to have this KD/Sengun horns thing and also developing Amen into a star attacking guard is pretty challenging... I just don't know how smart it is to try and keep trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
