ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Magic 2/26/2026

It's crazy when I think about the fact that Sengun is still 23 in year 5, but yeah, I thought he would have developed a great long range game by now... He started out red hot from 3 this season and got my hopes up that he'd figured out that shot. But he absolutely demolished those hopes in the last couple months. I'm starting to lose hope he'll ever develop a 3-pt shot.

Amen is never going to have a three, but he might have a decent mid-range. He already brought his free throw shooting up significantly.

It would be really tough to see either of those guys go, though, and honestly we might have enough shooting on the team to make up for them. Especially if Bari and Tari keep up their improvements. Then we have Reed coming off the bench... There's a reason we have one of the highest 3pt percentages in the league (though I know we're selective).

I really think we are competing for first if FVV was healthy. But of course then Sheppard would not have broken out. And maybe, just maybe, now that he has broken out, we have a chance in the playoffs. Stranger things have happened in the playoffs, especially with the parity that exists in today's NBA. Look no further than last year's playoffs. The NBA looks so different today than the league many of us grew up in. I think any of the top 10-ish teams have a realistic shot with a bit of luck.

Anyway I'm rambling now. Point is while I agree that it's disappointing that Amen and particularly Sengun haven't developed a 3, I don't think it's strictly necessary with the makeup of this team. But of course the GM should always be looking for ways to get better.

 

It is almost impossible to have a good offense with two non three-point shooters sharing the court in today’s NBA. I agree that it is more likely that Sengun develops a consistent three-point shot than Amen Thompson, but both will be in their sixth and fourth seasons next year. At that point, players typically are who they are, even young ones.

I like both players, but the Rockets are going to have to make a tough decision if they want to be in the same tier as the Thunder and Spurs, especially with a large extension for Thompson looming.

 

A lot of people owe KD an apology. Team would be a 8th seed without him.

 

Alpi and Amen are both SO unorthodox and in a way that’s what makes them good. But I think Amen’s freak athleticism is what gets in the way of developing his jumper. I think Klay has a textbook jumper. Repeatable, same form EVERY time. Starts from the feet up. Amen shoots from the waist up and he just never gets into a good repea shot form. Not instinctual for him. Maybe he should go work with Kawhi’s shooting coach? Kawhi had awful form in college and developed a nice J.

 

lol I’m not saying this looked anywhere as bad as Steven’s injury. All I’m saying is these dudes always say game to game no matter the injury, so I’m not about to start trusting them all of a sudden when they’ve been lying to us for years about injuries

 

The proof is in observation of how he plays and the numbers.

He is elite at getting to the paint due to speed and burst off the dribble. He is num 12 in points in the paint per game. Only other guards in that list are brown and SGA.

He shoots 71% in the restricted area and 67% less than 5 ft. He gets more FGA in that area (385 less 5ft) compared to SGA (280) and Brown (294) at a similar FG efficiency. That’s elite level.

He can guard 1-3 positions and sometimes even 4. Good anticipation and hands and getting in front of players. That’s not size that’s skill. Does size help him? Sure. But that’s like saying Shaq would suck if he weren’t 375 lbs. There was still skill involved. Same with Wemby.

Now I still wished he had a pullup jumper, post, and mid and 3 game. That’s why i keep advocating a trade. I still think he’s spectacular and could be a star if he like jermai Grant learned to mix these things into their game.

 

Great win

 

only tottenham fans know who the player is in this gif

 

You can feel ex Magic coach SVG pulling for ORL
only to get frustrated by our boy Reed

 

MVP of the game wasn’t Reed, it was Okobie because he kept DFS off the floor.

 

Unheralded player. Honorable mention: Clint Capela.

 

let that continue.. or we on his ass

 

Another master class by Ime

 

Were we aware Amen's 2PT has fallen off too?

40-point decrease is a plummet.

 

He is taking more midrange shots since everyone builds a wall against him now.

 

He ain't getting no max

 

Spoiler

 

We'll see. I dont have my hopes up but then again Amen is shooting 80% from ft and everybody says fts are a good indicator of 3 pt right? Maybe he does something in the playoffs or offseason.

 

Is there any update how long if any Jabari will be out? Sucks that he gets injured when he is balling and playing like a top 3 pick.