Yeah, definitely. It's a shame because the rest of his game is so complete (putting aside the questions about how OTE translates to the NBA). Ausar is further along as a shooter than Amen, so he's more assertive on the offensive end in general. Amen still has to get to that confidence level even if the shots don't go in.

I’ll have a mock draft video out soon 👀

He really is a Rocket.

🎯

I really think it’s possible. Check out my latest mock draft video!

I don't think Ben is a good screener to be honest, having watched him from his LSU days until now very closely. He improved some with the Nets this season because he had to play the 5 a lot more, but until then, he was hesitant to make contact, hold his screens, and then roll. I agree that Ben is bigger and stronger. That shows up with finishing mostly. However, Ausar's handle is better than Simmons' at this stage. It's more creative imo which opens up all sorts of advantages. All of this said, let's not forget that Ben Simmons was close to a generational prospect at LSU. It's easy to say other things in hindsight but the hype was real imo. He was then a 3x all-star, 1x all-NBA, a DPOY candidate and 2x all-defense first team, and ROY. That's already an incredible career that most NBA players do not have. Amen having similar accolades would already be awesome.

Yeah, I think people are too down on KPJ after this season. He scored almost 20 points per game and improved his efficiency from a lot of places around the floor, all the while playing in a team that honestly just wasn't gonna be successful last year. With a big picture view, there's no doubt KPJ has improved as a decision maker, passer, and ballhandler since his days in WA and then USC. However, he's still very much at his best as a scorer when others are creating for him & he only has to fill in the gaps playmaking-wise. Getting a point guard in Amen could make a lot of sense.

Amen would be the SF, point forward to be exact... pick and role and backdoor lobs all day

Yesterday Jalen Green says he likes Amen Thompson for the Houston #Rockets with the 4th pick in the draft. “He’s solid.”

Thanks for watching! 🙏

Thanks for watching! I understand those concerns and maybe they could’ve been put up even more dominant stat lines, but the actual games really told the stories of how dominant they truly were. I think the lack of structure in OTE play and especially the lack of competition versus fellow wing-sized players will be an adjustment, but NBA principles have gradually crept into Overtime and I trust both Thompsons to get there when it comes to level of competition.

@@FloorandCeilingI dunno bro, their shooting definitely needs to be worked on. They have great qualities but they gotta put it all together.

Thanks for watching! I think everyone on the Rockets would be greatly benefited by having their roles adjusted. For instance, KPJ and Jalen Green off the ball some more, Sengun operating as a playmaking hub, Jabari being set up for easy looks… There are pathways to that. A short term one seems to be James Harden, whose teams are always among the best offenses in the NBA. This would be a big ask for him but he led the league in assists this year. Amen Thompson is a longer term option. He’s not a shooter at all, which in turn can affect the types of looks he can create for others. He’s an exceptional playmaker and athlete who I think would fit in Houston, but I’m just concerned about a non-shooting lead guard in today’s NBA.

@@FloorandCeiling I agree I'd rather take amen if we are.going that route. If amen can make an in-between game he can be really good at 6'7 a little post / turnaround fade or a midrange jumper when they go under is great

That would mean a huge adjustment then because he largely plays on the ball almost all of the time now. I don’t know that he’ll be a pure point guard per se, but he’ll play with the responsibilities of a 1 imo. Also a reason why Ausar is slightly higher on my big board

The transition game would be crazy

I think he'd be pretty intriguing there. The potential to play super fast in particular appeals to me with Amen's tools and Houston's youth. All the James Harden rumors kinda throw a wrench into this equation though since Amen kinda needs the ball in his hands to be effective. Not sure how you can manage Harden, Jalen Green, KPJ, and Amen all sharing the ball even if their minutes would be split up.

Thoughts on Amen potentially going to Houston?

@@FloorandCeiling Torn. Amen's a guy where the FO and coaching need to buy in knowing the shooting may never come. Doubt that's the case but its early. I prefer Ausar rn but i understand people feeling #4 is a little rich for him.

@@siddharthrobertkumar Interesting that you like Ausar a little more because I probably do too and I've felt like that for a long time. The stats don't totally line up (outside of the 3-point shooting) and maybe this is a gut feeling kinda thing, but having watched them for years, the on-court product tilts the scale towards Ausar just a tiny bit. I have a mock draft coming soon where I make the case for maybe a slightly less-talked about option for Houston.

Thanks, I appreciate it! I'm with you on the Ben Simmons comp. I think there's a lot of shades there. I also appreciate the suggestion. I do some written work which includes more on that sometimes (@wilkomcv on Twitter for that) since I can only have the videos be so long, but I also haven't been around this draft class in-person enough to be comfortable+accurate reporting on that. I've been around the 2024 class a lot more, so expect upcoming videos to feature more snippets if I feel like I have enough info there.

They probably have the highest character traits coming into the last draft, party why they were drafted so high.

You’d trade up for Scoot? Because I think he’s only there at 2 or 3.

I was slightly higher on Ausar (#3) than Amen (#4) on my big board, but both are elite talents imo.

Stay tuned 👀

Tough to say, but it honestly happens a lot. It happened way more even like a decade ago. Now everyone is sort of expected to shoot, whereas before that was nowhere close to the expectation. Usually it's just some combination of muscle memory, form at a young age, athletic advantages... things like that. But shots are also relatively moldable if a guy is willing to put in the work. Even pros in the NBA will change hands or retool their jumpers a lot, but there at least has to be a solid base/touch. Not sure it totally exists with Amen when it comes to his scoring. So much that goes into it overall tho

@Floor and Ceiling Yep..but it's too bad. If he could shoot, and if it wasn't the Wemby draft, I think Amen would easily be the 1st pick.

Thanks for watching! There are parts of Amen's game that remind me of both Ben Simmons and then also LaMelo Ball. Think the quick pace, creative passing, freak athleticism, and ballhandling+defensive potential. This isn't a 1:1 comparison, but both of those guys are good starting points for Amen in terms of role, improvement points, and the pieces that will be necessary around him in the NBA.

Are we talking about Ben Simmons 2016 or Ben Simmons 2023?