The Rockets drafted a kid with Steph Curry potential and seem to be trying to turn him into a Holiday brother (no offense to them, it is a different style of play.)
We watched Alpi's offensive game suffer a bit last year as he focused more on defense. Was this the right choice? Alpi is unquestionably top five at the five on offense. So, what's the ceiling? How about develop that more and let him be just ok on defense? Isn't that a better plus/minus equation for the team?
It is a very limited sample, but did we see this at the summer league with Reed? We sure as heck saw that sweet, pure stroke. It was breathtaking at times. But then we saw him throwing his little body around on D, trying to get rebounds and protect the rim but as a result he sometimes seemed gassed on the other end.
In the current Rockets culture, you've got to play high effort D. But does he have to do it to the extent that he's air balling on the other end? What shooting percentage do we get from this kid on offense if he's just out on the wing on another shooter on defense. Isn't that also a better plus/minus play?
It is hard to imagine that he will ever start or even be the next option behind FVV in the Rockets current format.
And goodbye to Cam Whitmore and yes, it is related. What an athlete. Unfortunately, the Rocket refused to use this man as an offensive spark plug and let his defense be decent or develop to a decent level. So, they straight up threw him away.
If they continue on this path with Reed, they are going to have to throw him away too. He's not going to be a top level defender this year. Aaron Holiday is a superior defender and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the second line instead of Reed. So, then, what? You turn another lottery pick into two second rounds picks again?
It'll be interesting to watch.
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