Post#10 » by Xman » Tue Jul 16, 2024 5:11 pm
[quote="BlackThought"][quote="Xman"]Brooks is filling a role in Houston. Mentor!
His attitude is making Eason and Whitmore, along with others, aggressive.
Plus, he is a great piece for a team on the cusp. He would help CLE, phx, etc so much.
DLo contract is not wanted.
Boucher not wanted.
Houston is set for moves at trade deadline.[/quote]
I think Cam looks good enough to play at least 20-25 min a night and Amen should be playing 25-30 a night also. You got Green, Sheppard, FVV all looking at 25-30 a night, there simply isn't enough minutes to go around.
So here are some scenarios that can happen. Brooks keep playing his 25-30 min a night which takes away valuable development time for players that are clearly ready. Or Brooks become a mentor where he plays 15-20 min and give way to the younger players. In the 2nd scenario Brooks at best lowers his trade value due to lack of playing time, at worst he becomes disgruntled and demands to be traded which besides lowered value also comes with distraction to the team.
I think if Brooks isn't in Houston's plans the time to move him is right now. Whether it's this package or some other package the above doesn't change. Haven't seen Amen but just watching Cam dominate summer league I just don't see how he doesn't get a chance to play significant minutes to start the year.[/quote]
Cam deserves minutes. I think they will start the season giving JalenG the reins on offense to see if last April was real. It is his make it or mover time. And, Whitmore will be right there applying pressure.
I expect Vleet and Brooks will have their minutes change game to game. When someone comes in hot (whether Amen/Sheppard/Whitmore/Green/Jabari/Eason) they will be the focus.
Watching Eason and Brooks out there together on defense is amazing - especially with Jabari also in the lineup. Add in that Amen and Sheppard might also be defensive studs. Plus, Whitmore is not bad - more of a ball hawk than team defense though.
I see Sengun playing a two man game with whoever is the offensive focus (JGreen, Vleet, maybe Whitmore or Jabari). 3&D filling out the other spots (Brooks, Jabari, Eason, Sheppard)
The Rockets have to figure out if JalenGreen is the focus (April says yes - other history says no). If not, can Whitmore do it? I will say that Whitmore reminds me of Carmelo with better defense.
I think the team is feeling good about Sengun (solid and improving) and Jabari (same).
Vleet and Brooks are proven commodities.
But, there are so many other major questions:
- Can Amen get his shot right? - if so, he is scary.
- Can Sheppard's defense and shooting translate to NBA? - if so, scary.
- AJ Griffin, can he recover emotionally and be what he was year one. If so, he is a real player.
- Can Eason stay healthy and impact the defense like he did last year.
Houston has other assets
- role players - Tate, Landale, Adams, JeffGreen, etc.
- picks - PHX, etc.
So, they do not need backups like DLo or Boucher, who should never see the court.
Yes, they could trim the roster a little, but Tate and Landale are first up on that list (and both are team options for next year).
The setup is for February, when hopefully a star comes available.
- will have major salaries to offer, Vleet, Brooks
- will have smaller expiring like Tate, Landale, JeffGreen, etc.
- tons of cap space, ignoring team options and QOs, only $40 mil committed.
Personally, I want Booker and they are set to make a big offer (27 so age is good and fills the main spot). With the PHX picks and several prospects, it could happen.
Booker/Sheppard/Brooks/Jabari/Sengun: If not traded, major minutes also to: Amen/Eason/Whitmore.
- clearly this is the JalenGreen fails or is not good enough scenario and is shipped in the deal along with Vleet. If JalenGreen performs, then they might be set as is.
If that fails, then will have space for free agents or to deal for them next offseason. Also, will have a better idea on who will be the focus and who they let go. Right now, it is too soon to know.