Yes, we aren’t a better half court team this year over last. About the same. But, last season we didn’t have Durant, and this season we don’t have Fred. So, we haven’t seen this team with both of them playing. I think the argument can be made that we would have a better half court offense if both are playing. I know a lot of people won’t want to believe that because Fred doesn’t have many fans around here at this point. But, Fred doesn’t provide some things that we have badly needed this season. Ball handling, play making, a three point threat, and defense.
Reed Sheppard can do everything FVV does on offense and better, except maybe secure ballhandling. (Even that has been improved lately.) It's FVV's defense we are missing.
They might be in the lottery in the 26 draft and they will be awarded at least a top 3 pick. Another gotcha is that SAS via Atlanta may be in the lottery as well in 26 and 27. We could tank to hope to luck into the top 4 and saving our pick from OKC, but you know the NBA would probably leave us at 5 to help OKC.
Durant is easily the best Rocket in the halfcourt. As such, his presence is going to mask the talents of others. As such, I only looked at minutes with Durant and without the garbage time players. Here are those stats of the young guys with Durant and without the scrubs: Name Points per possession, Points per Play Reed 120.8 98.6 JSJ 120.1 98.9 Amen 119.3 98.3 Tari 118 94.9 Sengun 117.7 96.8 I have been feeling Sengun is having a bad year. Looking at these stats on Cleaning the glass with Durant and without Sengun for the other young guys is maddening. Name Points per possession, Points per Play Reed 124.5 102.1 JSJ 123.9 100.6 Amen 121.6 101.2 Tari 122.5 96.3
$1.2MM isn't much, but for 19 games it's the prorated equivalent of a $5.2MM salary for a full season -- that's not nothing. Pretty sure any guy available right now would jump at the chance to make a cool million for a month's work.
