I definitely underrated Brook's ability to create his own shot. He's actually decent getting into that mid post and working smaller defenders.
He had some nice scoring games in Oregon and at Memphis when he averaged close to 17/18 ppg..... In his mind he is a scorer as well.....there is that. Playing for the best coach in his career.....
I am almost certain he will make all-defensive first teams and maybe even win a DPOY or two before his career is done. He is a remarkable defensive player.
The thought of being able to trot out a lineup including him, Brooks and Tari is just so crazy. I have learned to love Jock Landale, but if we could swap him for a really tall rim protecting shot blocker as the third string backup C, we could have a killer defensive lineup, to be used situationally.
Sam basically saying that Amen's emergence is the reason that we're creating so many high leverage situations where the defenses have such little time to react. Ime has also implied that the Rockets wanted to play faster when Sengun was here so....one of Fred or Dillon is going to have to get relegated to the bench next year. Amen being the best rebounder on the team combined with breakneck speed, high IQ and obscene athleticism is a cheat code. Grabs rebound and it's off to the races and your defense isn't set. This isn't a Tyrese Maxey jitterbug type of player you're dealing with either. It's a 6-7 elite defender who can outrebound Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.
I really thought eason was gonna relegate brooks to the bench but with the way amen has been playing i forsee it being sengun, smith, green, fvv, and amen. It could b recency bias though, since i haven't seen eason play in quite some time
The 23-24 season is def th highlight of the Stone era we got Sengun and Green blowing up to become stars, Jabari redeeming himself from his bust rookie year, Cam balling and Amen breaking out to be one of the best defenders in the NBA in just his rookie year. And Rox still have 1 or a small chance of 2 lotto picks incoming from the draft.
Yeah I'm as high on Tari as anyone, but Amen clearly the favorite to take a starting position and even first wing off the bench over Tari. Even without the injury situation. The only thing Tari has is a jumpshot over Amen, I don't think he's better at anything else, which is not a knock on Tari, just that Amen is so gifted and just as hard working and tough as Tari.
Team is a nightmare with Tari, Brooks, Amen, Green and Landale on the floor. Ultra defensive lineup with good offensive potential. Green's defense as of late has been exceptional.
This is such a great problem to have. Essentially the Rockets are going to have the flexibility to run any line up they desire. The minutes are not even going to matter. I really would not trade anyone on this team right now and instead just continue to develop our chemistry. The team is positioned to be really really good next year. Imagine a healthy Tari, Sengun, and Adams. Imagine a bulked up Smith, Green, and Thompson. Imagine an improved shooter in Thompson. Imagine a more team oriented Whitmore. We have a ton of line up flexibility. We just need to be more consistent as a team hitting the three ball, but our team has an insane amount of line up flexibility as long as egos don't get in the way. Keep Brooks and FVV another couple of years man, no need to trade them away unless more talented veterans become available. What a problem to have.
Just imagine 48 minutes with at least one of those dudes on the court. Just a nightmare for opposing teams
Again, I would trade Brooks just because there aren't anywhere near enough minutes to go around at small forward. I don't want to see the development stunted for our young guys who are so important to our future.
