The case for giving Amen Thompson starter's minutes

But that dude never said Amens shot wasn’t a problem. He simply said that lamelos shot was considered a problem also (although he was a better shooter than Amen obviously). And he even said that it’s unlikely for Amen to make such an improvement as ball did, as that was an anomaly.

And lamelos shot was definitely considered a serious problem as yet another user has dug up. Heck, even the nba draft net review where you pulled out a one liner about him having a decent touch, in that very same review the “WEAKNESSES” section begins with the following:

“Weaknesses: His overall jump shot lacks any real consistency at the moment, and just like his older brother that can likely be attributed to his highly unorthodox shooting form … His release point is low, somewhere between his chin and his chest, and he shoots a set shot with below average elevation, leading to plenty of flat shots and bad misses whether open or contested (25% from 3point range on 6 attempts per game in 2019) … His mediocre FT shooting (72%) points to him potentially becoming a reasonably efficient shooter in time, but he’s a work in progress ….”

No one is arguing that Amen was the same type of shooter as ball. He’s not, he’s worse. And we don’t know if he will ever come close to sniffing balls….current shooting (no pun Intended there). He’s just saying that lamelos ugly ass shooting form was also considered his biggest weakness, and it clearly was. That’s all

 

But that dude never said Amens shot wasn’t a problem. He simply said that lamelo a shot was considered a problem also (although he was a better shooter than Amen obviously). And he even said that it’s unlikely for Amen to make such an improvement as ball did as that was an anomaly.

And lamelos shot was definitely considered a serious problem as yet another user has dug up. Heck, even the nba draft net review where you pulled out a one liner about him having a decent touch, in that very same review the “WEAKNESSES” section begins with the following:

“Weaknesses: His overall jump shot lacks any real consistency at the moment, and just like his older brother that can likely be attributed to his highly unorthodox shooting form … His release point is low, somewhere between his chin and his chest, and he shoots a set shot with below average elevation, leading to plenty of flat shots and bad misses whether open or contested (25% from 3point range on 6 attempts per game in 2019) … His mediocre FT shooting (72%) points to him potentially becoming a reasonably efficient shooter in time, but he’s a work in progress ….”

No one is arguing that Amen was the same type of shooter as ball. He’s not, he’s worse. And we don’t know if he will ever come close fo sniffing balls….current shooting (no pun Intended there). He’s just saying that lamelos ugly ass shooting form was also considered his biggest weakness, and it clearly was. That’s all

 

The case is simple. What we've been putting on the court sucks. Nothing to lose. New Coach should start his guys. They buy in faster. It's human nature.

 

Did anyone closely follow Ben Simmons first three years? He was a none shooter - and probably still is. He was also a heck of a player. H burned out majorly, but I don’t think the shot was the primary reason - it was mental.

How did the opposing team guard him? Did they play way off and go under each screen? How was he still successful? Was he just that much taller than the players guarding him?

i would take a Ben Simmons rookie season for Amen every day. I don’t think he will even come close because I do believe the transition will be a lot more difficult for him and his decision making needs improvement - and defensively he is a big step down. But if he can still operate the offense effectively without a shot, like Simmons did, I would be very happy!

 

We all know what Ime Udoka said when he got hired. The Rockets next year are playing to win. Veterans will be brought in. All players will earn their playing time. There will be accountability.

I am waiting for the next Udoka press conference to hear how he is going to integrate Amen and Cam into his program.

On the face value, Amen is decidedly not a win-now player. We the fans obviously want Amen to play right away and to do amazing things. I just do not think that is in the cards with Udoka.

I will say that if Amen does start right away that is a very bad sign that Stone is pulling the strings and Udoka does not have full control.

 

I am over those press conferences, they seriously need to work on it now.

Free agency starts in 5 days, better get to it.

 

I’m not sure you’ll get good team results by putting a rookie floor general out there with a bunch of near rookie misfits. We really need a vet to run the team

 

Udoka has more power then Stone…that happened the minute he agreed to become our HC.

Especially when it comes to roster control and who plays and who doesn’t…so don’t worry about that.

If Amen starts right away it’s because he’s shown Ime and the players we currently have that he’s ready.

 

So Udoka can fire Stone if he likes?
Or can Stone fire Udoka if he likes?

WRT who plays when (or is sent to G League), I suspect that Udoka is making that call, keeping Stone in the loop. Stone should not be able to strong-arm Udoka like he did Silas.

WRT who gets PG minutes next season, let's see who the Rockets sign in FA and who gets moved before the season starts.

 

I agree with OP, Amen should get starter's minutes from game 1 -- with the Vipers. He needs at least a couple dozen games against good competition to get his feet wet. In the meantime, let our vet PG (whoever that turns out to be) run the show, and let KPJ help out if he's still around.

 

Amen will not be in the rotation unless his shooting improves a lot and he will more than likely go to the vipers and so will Cam.

DD

 

I think Cam can be a scoring punch off the bench day one. He has the physicality and finishing ability, as well as being a good one on one defender.

With Amen it’s tricky. I could see it going both ways. I could see him playing without a jump shot (always penetrating the point or settings screens and cutting to the basket without the ball) and being effective. I could also see him being lost with defenders playing way of him and needing to adjust to the speed of the game which would be a lot easier with the Vipers as a stepping stone.

 

Rockets need a FA or trade to fill the starter roll and have TyTy backup. Amen needs to play a general wing roll to prove he can score and facilitate correctly before handing him any keys to a starting position.

 

Amen ain’t going to the vipers. Cam probably.

 

Definitely Amen. Even if he had a decent shot, PG is a heavy load to dump on a young kid with so little pro experience.

 

If the goal is for him to develop as a PG his butt will be firmly planted in RVG through January. I think Cam has a much better chance of cracking the rotation beating out Tate and Tari for some minutes at the 3/4.

A lot of the PT distribution will come down to intangibles that help Ime win games. It’s hard to tell how that’ll go until training camp when they roll the ball out and let them go.

 

Ime is Hime. I'll put my trust in him.