r/rockets • u/NoYogurtcloset5166 • 8d ago

The league is in trouble

From Amens TikTok 15 hours ago

323 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

141 comments sorted by

167

u/StockSorry 8d ago

I hope so, but like Durant said practice is different then in game. We’ve all seen Ben Simmons summer videos where he’s draining from all over. I sure hope so though, he could be a top five player in the league if he can shoot.

48

u/Kdot32 8d ago

Watched Andre Drummond make like 10 3s in a row

14

u/rybres123 8d ago edited 8d ago

yeah, as a youth, i saw james posey make 27 corner 3s a row in warm ups and he didn't seem to think that was anything speical. He was an ok shooter, but nowhere near special from behind arc.

i was a 7th grade hooper and blown away ha

16

u/Kdot32 8d ago

People overestimate practice film and underestimate game speed

6

u/I_AM_A_GUY_AMA 8d ago

James Posey was cold blooded though.

1

u/slickvik9 8d ago

James posey was a good player

1

u/desrever1138 7d ago

Are you referring to NBA champion James Posey by chance?

Dude was a fucking beast

2

u/rybres123 7d ago

Ya

He was a good player, but not known as a great shooter . That’s my whole point. Anyone in the nba can shoot lights out in practice

1

u/dee070387 4d ago

No he wasnt a great shooter early in his career but he was a pretty good 3 point shooter almost elite three point shooter during the championship seasons.

0

u/dee070387 4d ago

James Posey was a really good 3 and d player who shot like 39-40 percent from 3 some seasons. That's really good!!. You don't have to be a great 3 point shooter like Steph.. just good enough. James Posey was a 3 point threat from the corner and he knocked down a lot of clulch shots during his career

1

u/rybres123 4d ago

listen, i'm not here talking shit on posey. i know he was a good player for good teams. maybe i don't remember his career perfectly.

the point is, all of these guys are fucking snipers in practice. and gettin hopes up off of an edit practice video is not wise

4

u/sorendiz 7d ago

tbf the funniest payoff to that is that Drummond is now in fact actually taking (and making at around league average) 3s a couple times a game nowadays lmao, never would have seen that coming

8

u/indicasour215 7d ago

Drummond hit a big corner 3 in the playoffs for the Sixers last year. He's on that Brook Lopez evolutionary track

1

u/checkthamethod 7d ago

Proof that when you truly work on your craft, you can reach another level. He's busted his ass to improve there. Amen's free throw percentage skyrocketed since his rookie season so I wouldn't be shocked if he could eventually be a league average three point shooter.

1

u/NoahfromtheA 5d ago

I see what you did there

1

u/LegInformal5074 3d ago

In his first season trying more than 5 3's in a season, at 32, Andre hit at .356- close to the NBA average. God willing he will improve on it this year. And let us say, Amen.

4

u/Presence_Present 8d ago

Didnt he have these videos last preseason too lol

2

u/PaleontologistOne919 8d ago

Plz play better in game then late Melo from mid range. Do it contested, in game. Amen, Thompson

3

u/rigored 8d ago

I don't think this is the same. it's more about the form. His form in the past has looked awful. This actually looks passable

0

u/RoleEarly3432 8d ago

Ben Simmons was scared to even take layups let alone any type of shot in game. That’s not what Amen is dealing with

19

u/mellted_cheese 8d ago

That’s not what he was saying. He was saying practice videos literally mean nothing. Dwight Howard could drain threes in practice. Gonna have to see the proof on the court.

1

u/LegInformal5074 3d ago

Practice videos literally mean something. You can be great in practice and stink in games.

But you, uh, literally can not be great in games and stink in practice.

Ben Simmons could not drain shots in practice. His form was awful. He put sidespin on his free throws. Incredible playmaker and defender at 6'10, but never learned to shoot.

You don't have to shoot your first couple of seasons in the NBA. Clyde didn't have a good shot coming in as an elite defender.

But two things begin to happen: defenders eventually will have seen all your moves; and, they will defend much better when they realize you will never shoot. Most of your moves involve a pump fake.

-5

u/RoleEarly3432 8d ago

I know what they meant. I don’t agree with the comparison. I’ve never seen Amen scared to shoot the ball. Meaning, whatever he’s practicing on in the off season we’ll see materialize in games.

10

u/mellted_cheese 8d ago

he's literally not comparing them lol. he's just saying "anyone can look good in a random practice video, even someone as dogshit as ben simmons"

1

u/LegInformal5074 3d ago

Ben Simmons looked great moving around an NBA court. He just could not shoot the basketball.

Like I said, on the Nets he put sidespin on his free throws. That no one ever coached him out of it says something was off about him or his coaches.

0

u/DarkoDragicevic 7d ago

Not beginning of career

1

u/BlackheadOnetone 7d ago

Yeah dudes put out workout tapes but go against the aggressive gaurds like Luka, Ant, or Cade and only take 8 to 10 shots. Them guys will shoot 8 to 10 threes a game

1

u/StockSorry 5d ago

I think amen is more Kawhi type player where he doesn’t have to take 8 threes to feel his impact on the court. I also do believe he’s going to be a good shooter. Won’t go as far as to say lethal but maybe.

1

u/Public-General-6917 1d ago

Who in the top 5 he can be better. Luka, Wemby, SGA, Giannis or Jokic? I don't see it.

1

u/StockSorry 1d ago

Giannis will be retired by the time amen reaches his prime and jokic will be old and slow then too. Big man don’t age as well into their mid and late 30s

30

u/BuggyBomb 8d ago

I get how some people are saying hitting shots in practice doesn't mean anything, but then im reminded when kyle lowry came to the rockets. He was a below average shooter to start out, but in interviews teammates would always say he was a great 3pt shooter in practice. After a couple seasons and steadily increasing attempts per game, it eventually realized. All this to say, i have confidence it will translate before long.🤞

8

u/NoRizzJustLive 8d ago

His shot still looks awkward. So much more lift on his floater.

4

u/Few_Position_2727 7d ago

His trainers aren’t even contesting his shot though…I’m taking it with a grain of salt

34

u/Exotic_Bid6316 8d ago

I’m so hype for this year, if he can shoot 35% from 3 he will be a top 10 player this yr 

21

u/akd90 8d ago

I just want 30% 😂

3

u/sondoke 8d ago

I’d be pretty thrilled with 30%, ecstatic with anything over

4

u/frankievejle 8d ago

Amen 30%, Alpi 35%. We're cooking.

1

u/sondoke 8d ago

From your fingertips to the NBA gods eyes 🙏

3

u/frankievejle 8d ago

Jabari 40%, Reed 43%, Vanvleet 38%. Let's fucking go 😂

3

u/No-Reputation7277 8d ago

Maybe top 25 definitely top 20; plus he’s going back to his natural position. I have high hopes for him this season! Let’s go

1

u/mmccormick11 7d ago

You can't be serious. I'm guessing he'll end up somewhere between 23-27% max.

1

u/play4free 17h ago

Stop it, people gonna give him the Ben Simmons treatment if he didn't meet the unusually high expectations from the fans. Let his actual games speak, no hype please.

33

u/evetSC 8d ago

lol this is practice. All NBA players look good in practice especially videos they post on their social media. I’ll believe it when I see it

9

u/lambopanda 8d ago

This is not even practice against NBA players. They were all shorter than Amen.

4

u/rendingale Nene 8d ago

Right? Why would they pose 10 miss in a row in a highlight reel.

We basically see the same type of video every year.. even I thought Sengun start shooting better at the start of the season with his 3s then it went away

Im hopeful they will get better shooting wise this season tho. Watching that young San Antonio team, they just seem better even when not counting Wemby

2

u/dream_team34 7d ago

I remember went to a game early with the wife. Watched Boban warm up with the staff. Dude was hitting everything. 15 foot J's, hook shots, fadeaways. My wife asked me, "Why doesn't this guy play? He's so good!" Lol. A lot of these guys look awesome when there's no real defense on them.

1

u/lucky-me_lucky-mud 7d ago

Boban is actually incredible though, just slow with low stamina. Not really a good comparison 

2

u/Few_Position_2727 7d ago

I watched Dwight swish 3’s like nothing over at Lifetime when he was with us lol

4

u/PAYPAL_ME_DONATIONS 8d ago

I think the point being missed by the "its just practice" crowd is...

We have never seen footage of Amen hitting shots like these - period.

He's never produced any evidence that he can consistently hit outside shots, no matter the context.

So the fact we're seeing it now is simply evidence that he's improving and that the shot, at least, exists in some form or fashion.

It's promising. For Amen, that's reason for excitement

1

u/liquidcalories 8d ago

At least he knows he needs to get better at shooting, which not all players do

3

u/evetSC 8d ago

I like Amen a lot, but cmon he’s one of the worst shooters in the entire league. He’s not stupid lol

0

u/liquidcalories 8d ago

I've seen people claim he doesn't need to be good at shooting and he'll be a great player just doing hustle and defense and cutting (judging by the amount of shooting he puts on the floor Ime Udoka might be one of those people)

6

u/FutureGrassToucher 8d ago

Offseason workout optimism szn

5

u/baby_yoda_hunta 8d ago

What’s with the negativity in the comments? The fuck lol

3

u/ROTOH 8d ago

Is there a reason to play ball in underwear only

1

u/Lizpy6688 7d ago

Looks hot like you

3

u/WeAreStarDust_ 8d ago

Why is he wearing women's booty shorts?

6

u/Direct_Swan2312 8d ago

Hating ass sub

5

u/NoYogurtcloset5166 8d ago

These people aren’t real fans learned that a long time ago

2

u/BangPowZoom 8d ago

You’d think we’re a bottom-feeding, below .500 team with the way mfs be talking crazy in this sub about their own team, lol.

-1

u/cantgetclapped 8d ago

God forbid someone have an opinion that someone else might incorrectly interpret as someone downplaying their team. Get out your feelings lol

-2

u/cantgetclapped 8d ago

I don’t see any hate.. ever heard of something called constructive criticism

8

u/ElChapo1515 8d ago

What is constructive about saying “everyone makes shots in practice”

2

u/BangPowZoom 8d ago

Constructive criticism would be “It appears he’s greatly improved his shooting, but I’d like to see him do this in games instead of just practice. He still has things to work on.”

Constructive criticism would NOT be “He’s shooting and making more shots. So what? It’s just practice, why should I/we care? He’s proved nothing!”

5

u/No_View_5300 8d ago

Beast mode activated

2

u/BigL54 8d ago

His form doesn't look drastically different

2

u/Satanic-Kale 8d ago

If practice videos meant anything Ben Simmons would be in goat conversations

2

u/Square_Tear_8189 8d ago

Bro this video is from 2023, it’s just setting him up for failure with unrealistic expectations

2

u/Comfortable-Case5051 7d ago

Maybe they can hire D-Lo to defend him in practice to build his confidence even more!

2

u/Affectionate_Sky_264 7d ago

He is showing confidence in his technique. No hesitation.

2

u/LGC_Jape 7d ago

2nd year in a row I’ve seen this…

3

u/Cheesytacos123 8d ago

Bro these shorts are getting shorter and shorter🤣

-1

u/oblongblondeschlong 8d ago

Can't wait until we can see the tip poking out

0

u/3LitersofJokicCola 8d ago

Username checks out

1

u/purpletux 8d ago

lol, because he took some shoots during practice?

2

u/NoYogurtcloset5166 8d ago

Imagine how this team looks if Amen can actually do this in games 😭 you won’t be able to sag off him anymore, and that opens up everything

2

u/rybres123 8d ago

Obviously, but the point is this is an edited workout video. They didn’t show the misses.

It’s not a surprise that he’s working on this and not a surprise that he made at least a few in practice, but it means nothing to nba game action

1

u/NoYogurtcloset5166 8d ago

That’s literally why I said IF he can do this in games

1

u/purpletux 8d ago

No bro, you said “The league is in trouble”. That’s the title you put there and I say no the league is not in trouble at all just because Thompson can score a few shoots during practice. I understand the hype and excitement but I’m not buying it this year. I’m just fed up with almost perfect practice videos each and every pre-season.

1

u/DcBullets74 8d ago

His shot looks somewhat correct bit something not right….Still little pushy….might not be efficient under the gun

1

u/SuperZuu 8d ago

This is old + that isn’t Amen’s tiktok.

1

u/mj7272 8d ago

I feel like he's going to become like a Jimmy Butler archetype if he continues to work on his jumper

1

u/Fine-Touch-6037 8d ago

As long as this translates into game time situations, then I'm happy.

1

u/Far_Protection519 8d ago

This is old the acc you got this from is pretending to be Amen.

1

u/walswals 8d ago

Looking smooth and clean.... slow release though. Guess the speed will increase naturally with more rep

1

u/jaeway 8d ago

Don't expect too much you can tell hes still practicing his release that was pretty slow and methodical, like he's thinking about the motion. That's still a ways away from busting it out in game

1

u/Bubbly-Meal3192 8d ago

lmao ben simmons too huh? Where bruno caboclo isn’t he only 1 year away now?

1

u/htx_al 8d ago

This is exciting to see but They never show all the bricks and airballs tho.

1

u/ColdWise4165 8d ago

Something about his shot looks weird. It’s like he curls his back while he shoots or something

1

u/kumilini 8d ago

Isn’t this a high school 3 pt line? He’s just taking long middies.

1

u/Extension-houses180 8d ago

Wow nice chip England really help out

1

u/Aggressive_Double391 8d ago

Dam Asur shooting threes now? Maybe Amen can learn a thing or two

1

u/Full-Plankton-1750 8d ago

Bro know he gotta play his ahh off after that contract 😅💪🏽

1

u/Positive-Feedback-lu 8d ago

Financial trouble

1

u/Tropangpotche 7d ago

Doesn't matter, what matter is the playoffs

1

u/Crazy_Aerie1772 7d ago

In trouble cause this shorts....

1

u/AutographedSnorkel 7d ago

Wow, he hit a few jumpers during practice. OKC is shaking in their boots now, LMAO

1

u/kwikBet 7d ago

You rockets fans are so easy to please, this is only PRACTICE people, wait for those bricks to fall in real games folks.

1

u/Different_Tea2586 7d ago

Defense is tougher in the playoffs. Ask Reed and Alpi.

1

u/chaide123 7d ago

All NBA players are good shooters until the season starts

1

u/jlewis011 7d ago

I'm not making any judgement on his shooting until 30 games at the least.... That was mild defense btw

1

u/Someday2312 7d ago

Hoodie Melo? Off-season Simmons

1

u/Guyandro 7d ago

Question for anyone with a good understanding of shooting mechanics: is his release too low?

1

u/mmccormick11 7d ago

Forget the 3 ball. Just get less awful from midrange so defenders can't completely sag off him. A reasonable goal for Amen is to become close to decent as a midrange shooter and good to very good with his floater. Anything more isn't happening and he wouldn't need more if he can improve enough in those 2 areas. Those improvements would be enough to complement the rest of his game and make him one of the best players in the league in terms of contributing to wins.

1

u/SecretAgentMan713 7d ago

No no no we dos this shit last year. Don’t get excited until we see it when the lights come on

1

u/76FreddyBrouss 6d ago

His confidence is key!!

1

u/logontoreddit 6d ago

Hoddy Melo, every summer Ben Simmons and now Armen? 

Let's wait and see how he does in the first 10 to 15 NBA games before jumping to any conclusions. 

1

u/PolarBearX41 6d ago

I'll say it every time it comes up; until his backspin and rotation improve, I won't get excited.

1

u/glimmertwins 6d ago

The shot looks flat to me which goes in less as you lose your legs throughout the game…but for our sake, even a flat shot that goes in is progress for Amen.

1

u/DietCrazy 4d ago

I mean these guys are the elite of the elite, this guy is 6’7 getting guarded by 5’10 trainers. These are pretty much open shots for him and they aren’t going very hard in these clips.

I’m hopeful that he developed his shot a little more. The crazy thing about it is he doesn’t even need to be a good shooter, he just needs to be consistent enough that he can’t be left open to unlock the rest of his game.

1

u/Even_Ad_6203 2d ago

The way the release starts around his waist… I don’t know man, do think that will translate to real games.

1

u/Public-General-6917 1d ago

I have seen videos of Ben Simmons hitting 3s in the off-season. Until he makes them at real NBA games I would not get to exited.

2

u/Acceptable_Ganache51 8d ago

But how many did he miss

1

u/AtxSaiyan 8d ago

Unfortunately Fred will have the ball or he’ll be told to pass to KD immediately

1

u/HTowns_FinestJBird 8d ago

How many did he miss though?

1

u/FeMnTaNb2O6 8d ago

This isn't even the NBA 3pt line. 

1

u/UniqueKaleidoscope35 8d ago

No it’s not! When things get rough he’ll go back to his old habits.

1

u/onbasisoner 7d ago

On practice, even shaq or ben simmons shot at least 50 % on 3s.

1

u/DrBarackPendergrass 7d ago

Very nice, but Ben Simmons is a hall of famer in Practice too.

-1

u/Avatar_Yalla 8d ago

Still the same bad release

-2

u/guacdoc24 8d ago

His release if funky man that sucks

-1

u/foshiiy 8d ago

Literally 0.5 game speed with no defense. Ben Simmons looks like this in the offseason too.

2

u/NoYogurtcloset5166 8d ago

Fair comparison for offseason clips, but Amen already plays way more aggressive than Ben did. If this shot starts falling in real games, that comparison won’t last long.

-5

u/foshiiy 8d ago

Dwight Howard looks like Steph in practice. These are fun to watch but don’t take anything worthwhile from them.

-3

u/gonfreaks77 8d ago

Everyone looks good during the summer

-3

u/Mithrandir_1019 8d ago

I to can make shots in a gym 

3

u/NoYogurtcloset5166 8d ago

Are you also 6’8, an elite athlete, and locking up some of the best players in the league? 😭 because if so, somebody needs to get you a contract

-2

u/Mithrandir_1019 8d ago

Every season we see clips of players doing stuff in gyms that never translates to an actual game lol

-6

u/pieman2005 James Harden 8d ago

Shot looks horrible 😅

-3

u/TeflonBear 8d ago

Someone made a good point at the end of last season, that since he’s been in the league he’s never made any changes to develop his shot to just be average. And we’re suddenly supposed to think that because he gave him the bag he’ll now turn it around? Doubt it.

-1

u/FlyGuy_2000 8d ago

Meh. I've had better releases as a inexperienced 13-yr old fapping off for the first time.