Approaching this from a different angle: What does the Sengun/Amen combo need to make it work?

We could bring back Jalen cause IME UJOKER seems to get a hard on for him.

 

I mean, it doesn't seem that complicated to me. They've already made it work well before.

Amen in the dunker's spot, Sengun operating near the elbow, movement shooters and cutters around them.

 

Start Reed and get another shooter who can start with Alpi and Amen along with Durant. Right now, KD is really the only shooter in the starting lineup. Everyone else is found money if they have it going that night. If angry Jabari keeps it up, he can continue to start.

 

Amen needs to shoot the corner 3 at last years clip. I think he was above 30% last year. This year has been a total nose dive probably from his PG role playing.

Sengun needs to have a serviceable outside shot from the mid range as well. I think for either of them this is a must. Though Amen will always have a place due to his defense, Sengun in his current form is pretty much worthless to me.

 

A jumpshot. That's it. One of these two needs to be able to hit a jumper from outside of 15 feet. This is the modern NBA. We know what does and doesn't work. Remember when we traded for Westbrook and then we had to get rid of Clint Capela? It was because you can't have two players who can't hit jumpers on an elite team. I don't think either Sengun or Amen will ever have a jump shot so the real question is: who do you pick? And if it's Amen, can you surround him with enough shooting where he doesn't break your offense?

 

Starting from just Amen and Sengun...

No. 1. Kevin Durant is likely the best Non-Top 10 player to add to this combo for the short term. Not a good long-term fit.
No. 2 Long term, need guys shooting over 40% from three. Stone has acquired one of the 2 young players doing this on volume.
No. 3 Add a **** ton of 3 and D* players of various sizes. Mostly being wings/forwards though at least one should be a guard that can switch up onto bigger players. Prior to the season when I looked at 3 and D guys that aren't stars, I expected the Rockets had 4 of the 30 best 3 and D non-star guys. Rockets only have 2, with 1 injured and 1 sucking. This isn't enough.
No 4. Rockets likely need a SG/SF that can add shooting and some playmaking. Trey Murphy would be great for the offense, but I worry about his defend with Sengun, Durant, and Reed since No 1 and 2 are done with them.
No. 5 Need a backup PG for Reed (i.e., No. 2) to give the Rockets a competent 3 guard rotation. Needs shooting to play with Amen, and needs to be able to switch onto bigger players to play with Reed.

Rockets mostly need 2 3 and D players, a playmaking/shooting SG/SF, and a backup PG. This doesn't need to be 4 different players. Ideally, the playmaking shooting SG/SF and the PG are 3 and D players as well.

Though, adding a Top 10 player (or someone on team develops into one) probably trumps all of this and then work to fit around Top 10 player.

*By D, I mean good at POA and switching, but not brain dead off the ball either. Need guys that can switch up and need guys that can switch down. Having one without the other doesn't work. Gambling D adds value, but the Rockets need POA and switching defenders.

 

Having Sengun and Amen is fine!

Look... this whole 'you gotta have this many shooters on the floor...' is just the latest shortcut to thinking that the peanut gallery is obsessed with...

just like...
'defense doesnt matter in todays NBA...'
'you gotta take a lot of 3s...'
'mid range shots are bad...'
'bigs are unplayable in todays NBA bc they are a defensive detriment...;
etc....

For some reason, folks get a thought in their head and they think everything has to revolve around it.... but there are numerous game plans and configurations that can work... but people are all about 'this worked for that team - so thats the only way to do it...' - like chasing GSWs 3pt barrages...

Alpi and Amen are fine!

Yes, spacing is a good thing... but neither of these guys has to camp out in the paint to be productive... they dont have to be clogging up the paint....

Alpi often gets the ball around the free throw line... if he likes the matchup, he spins to the basket... Amen aint no 3 pt shooter - but he can get to and finish at the rim.... dude was 8/9 for 20 the other night and didnt take a single shot outside of the paint!

We need a pg! Plain and simple... and it aint Amen. Amen needs to be free to roam and cut - thats his offensive strength!

Imo the key to success for this team is everyone knowing their role and playing to the strengths.... not trying to make Amen and Sengun into 3 pt shooters.

This isnt the MDA offense where we put 4 guys on the arc and let Harden iso...

 

I honestly think there's literally nothing other than staggering their minutes with the team as presently constructed

Other idea - not feasible - going to the Miami Heat "no picks just drive immediately" offense from earlier this year

Otherwise you have to get a bunch of elite 3 point movement shooters and it's like having Green & Looney with Klay & Steph

 

1) Amen back dunker spot, corner 3s
2) Add player(s) who can move with the ball, attack the rim. KD is actually not a good fit, although he saves the day with his ridiculous scoring.

I think it is pretty much doable with a good coach and a pg. Amen, Reed, Sengun core is pretty good. But you REALLY need coaching, Ime won't cut it.
If you want to give up on one of them, either would work as well. I would definitely keep Sengun though, if I have to pay max to keep Amen.

 

I've been advocating for this lineup and last night we saw how elements of it can work, but this is the way IMO.

PG Sheppard
SG Okogie
SF Thompson
PF Durant
C Sengun

Bari and Tari rotate in at the 6 min point and you hit your opponent with length, defense and some shooting.

Okogie's tenaciousness helps with Reed's defense and Thompson is freed to focus on defense and operate in the dunker's role. Sengun has space and can rotate the ball around the perimeter or with a cutting Amen.

 

Get a better coach.

 

They NEED a guard who can shoot. Amen does so much, but at this point having him and Sengun starting together with Amen at guard just feels forced. I love him at the dunker spot, and for stretches at guard he's fine, but they absolutely must find some consistent outside shooting because the offense with the two of them together without it is turds.

 

We've needed FVV, but now... we need to play Reed and let him grow into the role out top. Amen will go back to doing what makes him amazing. He's a secondary ball handler with the ability to impact the game GREATLY in so many ways...Defense (perimeter & inside), Rebounding, Passing/Playmaking, Getting to the rack and finishing...He hasn't lost any of that. Dude's had to play out of position. I shake my head at those that think he's lost one thing. If anything, it's been a growing experience playing the point. KD is one of the greatest shooters of all time, and one helluva closer. And, he's adjusted his game to get the most out of it, while staying healthy. Slim Reapa just needs the pieces around him. Alperen needs to have a lot of offense run through him, while not looking to score as much. Which brings me to the real problem....It's Ime...Yes we need a quality bench...support pieces. But our biggest problem is this Dude...He has ZERO offensive chops and whack substitution patterns. It's already obvious that he's not the guy to take this group to the next level. Stubborn, Big EGO, angry, and just plain lacking in IQ...which manifests all the time. He not only wouldn't accept an offensive assistant, but is hurting one of our greatest assets. Our Rockets need a proven winning Coach....QUICKLY.

 

u give the ball to Alpi at the free throw line....
Amen cuts baseline and hopefully we get a quick pass for an easy dunk...
if not, Amen circles outside of the paint and Alpi drives....
You got 3 guys on the arc (3 of KD, Reed, Bari or Eason or Okogie) for the kick out if desired...
Amen trails the Alpi drive to cleanup if he misses....

we should also use a lot of pick and roll....

everybody is all obsessed with having a bunch of 3 pt shooters - like 0-27 doesnt happen...

the game is all about balance...

the balance between offensive and defensive focus...
the balance between long range and points in the paint...
the balance between offensive rebounding and getting back....
the balance between gambling on d and just staying in front of your man....

maybe it was the DM analytics years that corrupted this fan base into thinking that everything is an all-in proposition that needs to be hammered to the nth degree...?

Yes MDA, rebounding DOES matter... No, Ime you have to have at least a couple guys release and get back....

 

I’d like an Adelman Kings style offense with Alpi in the high post and Amen in the dunker spot surrounded by 3 shooters/cutters

Jabari may be the crucial element in the equation

 

It would work if Amen could command even a little bit of respect as a shooter.

An Amen with more negative gravity than Clint Capela can not work alongside another non shooter.

 

As long as we don’t waste 16 seconds to set up Kd or Sengun for an iso with no secondary option, the offense will be much better than this.

 

If Amen can't shoot from 3 he should at least work on dribbling and finishing at the rim with a floater. This would make it easier to confuse the defense and create opportunities for Sengun being the roll man to finish at the rim.

 

I think defenses can adapt to defend the dunker spot plan. Don’t have much faith in them working together as a serious contender. Done with the double big thing as well.

I want a minimum of four competent shooters out.