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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

#Jazz actually looked quite precocious in this one. Sensabaugh and Bailey in particular were great, and I thought Mykhailiuk had a sneakily good game too. This year might be a bit soon but could see them having a #Rockets -like breakout in a season or so if things go well.

Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

Also felt like Sengun's defense was a little lackadaisical in this one. Several times it felt like he was stranded too far away from his man to close out. Maybe they were experimenting with some drop coverage? Didn't seem to be working very well and was part of the reason the Jazz made a lot of 3s.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

One thing I am a bit concerned by is the turnovers. Fred and Ime massively improved the floor of the team by just cutting down giveaways and the points in transition. If that backslides, it opens them up to losing a lot more games. So far they've come in bunches! Only preseason though I guess.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

Great game from Reed Sheppard too! I was really worried that on thr evidence of last year he wasn't going to be capable of filling the FVV void, but actually his play on both sides of the ball was a massive step up from last year. He blew by a defender with a hesi! Led the team in blocks!

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

Much better game from Amen, and not just because he was able to cause some defensive havoc and get out in transition. His movement when Alpy had the ball was fantastic and got him a lot of easy points. Maybe slightly less ball pressure from the Jazz helped as well.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

The obvious answer to how Durant helps is as a tough shot maker at the end of the clock, but I think he might help more by just finding a decisive advantage before they get there. It was noticeable how much rarer those late shot clock situations were in this one. (Might have been the defense though)

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

It took KD a little bit to get comfortable, but once he got in he looked GREAT. Loved his decision making - he did a great job of keeping the advantage on offense. Sometimes that was rising up to shoot, sometimes that was a quick pass (he had a glorious touch pass to Reed Sheppard at one point).

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

Well it's definitely cool to have KD onboard! Some thoughts from the #Rockets vs #Jazz preseason game in a thread: 🧵

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

I agree with you in disagreeing with this analysis! Dillon was significantly more versatile than DFS in terms of who he could guard, and that's going to have knock on effects whenever we play a team with a star big man.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 1d

Definitely was noticeable how good KD is at making quick decisions within the flow as well. Had a beautiful touch pass to Sheppard for an open three, and some quick trigger shots too. In past seasons that crispness has been lacking and it has clogged up a lot of offensive actions.

Steve Jones @stevejones20.bsky.social · 1d

KD roaming on the weakside on defense is going to have a lot of value for the Rockets. Offensively the fact that he plays within the flow gives them balance at the end of possessions.

Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 2d

I remember at the time that Fultz was very clearly the consensus amongst the media. Only Boston knew better, I guess! IIRC they traded down from #1 to take Tatum, right?

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 2d

I mean, I could also see Holiday getting some minutes at the 2 (especially when they play double big zone and mobility/speed from the guards is important). So might end up being a matchup/rhythm thing through the year. I know Ime rates Holiday's defense, not sure of his opinion on JD's yet.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 2d

I thought Davison looked decent, but I'd like to see a bit more before I elevate him like this. It's easy to look good when your shot is falling!

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 2d

Reed definitely looked more assertive. Actually driving and making plays, some catch and shoot off movement that he would have holstered last year. It didn't always work, but just getting him to try stuff is a huge step up from last season.

Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 2d

Great to hear! Glad the NBA knows enough about their product to be able to step in when their media partners make damaging mistakes.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

I think he has a real shot at getting some minutes in Houston with Van Vleet's injury. Depending on how the early returns of the Amen as PG go (and they didn't look great on first look!), he's going to be competing with Aaron Holiday for the backup PG spot and it's plausible he could win that.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

I thought Amen was a mixed bag. Agree that the handles looked poor and he wasn't really able to do much in the open court like he normally does. But I liked that he seemed much more willing to take jumpers than in previous seasons, and he did make some good defensive plays in the second half.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

Davison made plenty of shots, but one thing that I was particularly impressed by was his court vision. Seeing him hit the weakside corner on drives was a welcome sight after years of watching the #Rockets just not really throw that pass. Look forward to seeing more from him!

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

I like that Capela provides something a little different to Adams in that Centre spot. The ferocity of his rolls to the basket should open up a new dimension on offense (that lob from Sengun he put in was sweeet!), but also he's able to provide more robust shot blocking than either Sengun or Adams.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

Okogie looks like an excellent addition the to the #Rockets stable of defensive terrors. He gets his hands in the passing lanes and is able to use his athleticism for some great contests (a couple of fantastic blocks in quick succession in the fourth quarter were eye openers!)

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 3d

OK, managed to watch the rest of the #Rockets-#Hawks game now. First look at some of the new guys on the roster was very positive! Okogie, Capela and Davison all had good games and might be able to make a case for some regular season minutes if they can keep this up.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 4d

Alright, I'm off to bed. Will catch the rest of it tomorrow. Great to be able to watch #Rockets basketball again!

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 4d

Atlanta is an interesting test for the #Rockets defense because of how much they look for the lob (an area I think Houston have been weak at defending the last few years). They've given up a few easy baskets to it so far.

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 4d

Liking the look of Sengun + Capela in combination together! Capela as a rim deterrent is very useful next to Alpy (possibly even more so than Adams? TBD), and of course there was that sweet big-to-big alley-oop just now!

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Rob Dover @boredtrevor.bsky.social · 4d

Impressed by Sengun's defense to start here. Had some good defensive plays both with his hands down low and getting up for blocks. And of course some high level passing reads! Offense looks lost without him on the court.

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