Rockets WAY TOO EARLY Point Guard STOCK WATCH: Amen, Reed… JD? | Kevin Durant DEBUT Expectations
Rockets WAY TOO EARLY Point Guard STOCK WATCH: Amen, Reed… JD? | Kevin Durant DEBUT Expectations
Houston Rockets’ point guard puzzle: Amen Thompson shows promise, Reed Sheppard stumbles, and J.D. Davison surprises. Buy, sell, or hold?
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) analyze Thompson’s improved ball handling, Sheppard’s defensive struggles, and debate Davison’s unexpected impact and his potential role in the Rockets’ rotation. Kevin Durant’s impending debut takes center stage as they explore his potential chemistry with Alperen Sengun and the team’s evolving offensive strategy. Defensive concerns and lineup adjustments round out this comprehensive look at the Rockets’ preseason progress.
Tune in for expert insights on the Rockets’ point guard dilemma and how it could shape their upcoming season.
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38 Comments
I really don't see how Amen is going to play point. He's just not an NBA point. Everyone keeps talking about how he played the position in high school and OTE but that's just not the NBA. I'd rather not develop him there at all and keep him where he shines.
I can't really see Amen as a PG tbh, and the only reason why people still talk as if he is one is the fact that he was listed as a PG coming into the draft.
He is smart and can rack up a good amount of drive and kick assists, but he doesn't have the mentality for running a team's offense.
He can certainly pass the ball, but his court vision is nothing special.
He can drive into the rim, and finish at a high clip, but he will average 5 turnovers per game if he has to dribble as much as a PG.
He is a wing who happens to be good at passing. I hope they don't force him into becoming something he is not. Let him play as an off ball SG, create rim pressure and attack missmatches, and be one of the best defenders in the league. It seems like he improved his shooting and can average close to 20 this year. His role and numbers will organically increase as his shooting and dribbling improves.
Rockets save mcollum
ROckets staff has to quickly figure for Reed if his role is best as:
A- John Paxson, BJ Armstrong type starting PG- QuicklyGet team in half court Offense and spot up…Most shots will come from kickouts, very few creation responsibilities, maybe get the occasional off ball screen/ pindown
B- Aggressive first PG off the bench who gets to run a ton of ball screens and push in transition (Payton Pritchard)
Pretty simple to me!.
Y’all act like Dyson Daniels isn’t an elite defender
Davison looks like hes in 7th year. Let Turkish league mvp and gleague mvp play together.
The truth is, Jalen and Reed are the Rockets' worst wasted draft picks of the last decade. There's absolutely no room for both of them in the NBA!
JD Davidson isn't a great player, but he's honestly much better than Reed, and he's the only player who should be on the court as Amen's backup…
I love how its been one pre season game and now some people are saying JD Davison is better than reed. Like can we chill for a sec
Y'all not gonna bring up the fact that Reed gets swarmed by his defender while JD was left open all night? Also, I don't recall a single action between Sengun and Reed…which is an obvious mistake.
I must have been watching a different game, Reed didn’t get abused on defense at all
I love Amen being on the team. But I'm selling for him at PG. He's too good at so many other things to make him play outside of his talent. Holding on Reed. He looked solid. Just lacking experience. Buying on JD. He looks like he was built to run point. Like y'all said. Even outside of his shooting. I was loving his decision-making.
KD isn’t a creator? The guy who consistently avg 5/6 for his career since 2012. He’s creation and passing is fine will he be surround with enough shooting is the question
Spoiler Alert: the Rockets are going to have struggles and growing pains at PG this year. My god I love this pod but this is some REAL ASSED prisoner of the moment, reactionary takes. THEY NEED TIME.
With that backcourt we make play in
You wronged about jalen green now you are wrong about Reed Shepherd. just need some time for reed
Reed cant even play on a winning team rotation yet, let alone starting. Waste of minutes.
Maybe in 2-3 years but not yet.
JD Davidson, maybe I’m off here, but I think he plays a good bit like Mark Jackson
I was watching the core Rockets player's interaction with Reed on the sidelines and you can tell they believe in him. The issue, I don't think Udoka believes in Reed. Udoka seriously mismanaged both Reed and Cam last year, both should have been in the G League getting reps. Now, post Fred injury, Ime has put himself in a bad spot. Also, Amen is not a PG, he needs to be moved back to the three so he can roam the baseline and play off-ball. Right now, I think we start Holiday and have Reed off the bench. We probably need to start thinking about packaging Fred and a pick for a starting-level PG, KD isn't getting any younger.
Love Reed, advocated him at Pick 3, still holding on his stock. That being said, i am really glad we got JD Davidson who looks like a true PG in the modern NBA.
I like Reed I wanted to draft him actually but I don’t see the hype management sees with his potential. With Tari there’s no weak links defensively
JD, BUY
Comparing JD and Jalen is bad. Jalen isn’t a pg and JD has been playing the point his whole life. Different skill set and game. Of course JD would be better at passing or doing a skip pass. Jalen is a scorer not a passing pg. and can we move on from the jabs at Jalen? He is gone now.
Hold stock on all 3
It’s one preseason game
Sadly first game Reed looked like he came to park to play with his older brothers
jd was a 5 star out of high school he been tough glad we got em
You guys have such great chemistry, practically finishing each other sentences lol 👍👍
I'm definitely a believer in JD
If FVV can be a plus defender, so can Reed. Screw TJ McConnell, the source is right there. As Madison said, all comes down to doing the work early
Mike Breen didn't retire
Is there any sites other than streameast u can watch the game on?
JD made the right reads . He has a high basketball IQ can play off ball . I don’t know what his defense looks like but he’s nba ready for sure
Y'all gone learn a lot about KD I see.
KD plays the first quarter….last 6 of the 2nd….entire 3rd…..6-8 of the 4th depending how the game is going
Man bump all that Jabari need to take that leap bro Paolo and Chet did he need to we shouldn’t be staggering minutes between segun and KD Jabari need to average 18 points at least come now
Jackson said the quiet part out loud about Reed. My only concern about Reed going into this season has only been his ability and willingness to play defense solidly. It's the only reason I thought he was not ready to start.
Got a lot of Amen stock and buying more. Buying JD stock and holding with Reed.
Coming back after the 2nd preseason game. You guys were way wayyyy too low on Reed. Just be patient. He looked great tonight.
Understand y'all need to create content, but this is a major knee-jerk reaction episode.
I think both Amen and Reed will be fine. I like Reed running point more than Amen. Reed's turnovers come from just missing passes. Amen's come from just losing the ball.
I also like Amen being free to move on offense and having more energy on D.
Good commentary from @madmanleaks