Honestly the amount of damage Jabari Smith Jr.'s versatility does to other teams defensively is going under the radar. Man can switch onto almost anyone which gives the Rockets a lot of options.
this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2023
1 points (100.0% liked)
NBA - Main
12 readers
2 users here now
Game analysis, highlights and everything else that is happening in the NBA.
founded 11 months ago
MODERATORS
Not sure if it's under the radar. His defensive prowess was the second biggest thing he was drafted for.
He was hyped as that guy but hasn’t really showed it until recently. A lot of the fan base weren’t really freaking out with how bad he was offensively as a rookie because of his defensive potential but it started to get a little scary because he was pretty shit on that end too. Who wouldn’t thought that a 20 year old would improve..?
Crazy how good the top 3 picks were in last years draft.
If he starts shooring the way we thought he would he will be a dangerous player. I won’t lie I really wanted him in Orlando originally. Glad how things worked out but I still think he could be a great player. Not a number 1 option but like a more versatile Rashard Lewis.
They have A LOT of defensive talent, Brooks, Tate and Eason are all All defense level, FVV, Jabari and Holiday are all between good and very good, Sengun has improved a lot too
Green also.
Yup. He's always had the potential for defense, I've never understood people who said that he'd never be a good defender. He's quick laterally, works hard, and contests as many shots as he can. He doesn't have the instincts like a Brooks or Eason, but he's learning quickly now that our whole team prides itself on defense.
I want Green to succeed so badly. He has such a good ethic and has the raw talent to be a superb player.
It’s unbelievable how bad the Silas years were for his (and others) growth. This is basically his rookie year for defensive purposes.
Ime Udoka was such an underrated steal during the off season. He was great in Boston was kind of having a Nick Nurse type coming out there. He's clearly an amazing coach and I believe Boston took a lose there.
Ime is rightfully getting praise, but the front office recognizing that it made sense to overpay to bring in the vets was honestly a very smart move.
It was a gamble but with OKC owning our pick this year, it made no sense to tank. Plus we own Brooklyn’s pick swap and with enough luck, that can be a lottery pick. Overpaying short term on FVV turned out to be a good gamble especially with the 3rd year a team option. Brook’s contract looks like straight up a good contract. Jeff Green is overpaid but his veteran leadership is invaluable for Jabari and Alperen. Landale looks baaad though.
That's what never made sense to me with people...like, did you see what happened to the Suns when they added Ricky Rubio a few years back? Adding vets that have been there, won championships, been in big playoff series, can completely change the culture of a team.
How far can Houston go this year under Ime Udoka?
It depends. Do they still have ro play half their games on rhe road?
Honestly, I thought Boston fans were bullshitting when they said how much they missed Ime and they would've won a ring already if that whole thing hadn't gone down but now I actually believe them.
As a Heat fan that watched 3 playoff series against the Celtics against 3 separate coaches, Ime actually prepared a very solid game plan against Miami. It took Jimmy Butler going absolutely nuclear to take that series to the brink.
Bro Ime actually knew what he was doing
Yeah I haven’t felt like Mazzulla has control of things the way Ime did once in two years. I don’t think Mazzulla knows what to do, even who to play, when the Celtics aren’t absolutely cooking on offense. The worst development lately is it doesn’t seem like he knows what to do or say to the team to get them to hold a lead.
The team is loaded and they’re going to be in the mix in the end, but regardless I still think Ime is a much better coach. Rockets fans just pray he can keep his dick where it belongs.
Udoka Udoka
They always had the talent, just needed some adults on the roster and a coach who’d hold guys accountable
Neat
LOCKSMITH
so wack of Ime
dillon brooks redemption arc
Jalen Green has young Booker potential. So many similarities, definitely wanna see Jalen work on his defense and play making like Booker did.
Man if Jalen keeps up his defensive consistency just like booker nowadays that would be neat
This is not what I've seen but I could be wrong. Green is an incredibly dumb offensive player whereas Booker was always savvy as hell.
Green's athleticism, if he maintains the effort on d, will make him a million times more effective on that side than Booker can ever be. But on offense he just needs to be reigned in so he doesn't have negative effects on his own team. It's good Sengun is becoming that guy that needs the ball in his hands more because Green is not that dude, they need to control how often he gets touches and where.
Sengun has been so good that he was invited to Podcast P.
Ime will destroy your wife and destroy your offensive game plan 😊
Pacers one is wild lol. I know they also lead in offensive rating but holy shit 120ppg average is crazy.
A veteran center to backup Sengun is the last piece to the playoff puzzle, like literally that’s it roster wise. Everyone can score, just not as efficient as one would like. Playing at home is a definite advantage. With more reps for everybody as the season goes and Ime keeps that defensive identity going, sky’s the limit tbh. We cut down on fouls and it’s really over lmao.