Durant! Become Thompson first, Tanhualang has expressed his determination, and the Rockets are going to make money for 122 million

NBA preseason kicked off, and the Rockets have undoubtedly become one of the popular teams in the new season to compete for the championship. The trade was obtained by Durant, which made the Rockets' strength sharply increase. Although the loss of VanVleet has a certain impact on the team's organizational side, Durant said in an interview that he can undertake some organizational tasks to make up for this vacancy. In addition, there are new stars like Shepard in the Rockets who can withstand pressure in the point guard position and reduce Durant's burden. At present, the Rockets' starting lineup has basically been confirmed to have four players: Shin Kyung, Durant, Amen Thompson and Shepard. The only thing that is unresolved is the ownership of the small forward position - the competition between Smith and Ethan.

Choose a starter between Smith and Ethan, Rockets head coach Uduka faces a difficult but critical decision. From a tactical perspective, the "five lineups" that both of them start at the same time may bring miraculous effects in certain specific rounds, but they are not suitable as regular lineups. Referring to the Warriors' "Death Five" or the Rockets' tactical system in 2018, the regular time is usually centered on traditional centers (such as Capela) and the small ball lineup is only activated at critical moments. The Rockets' current lineup configuration also follows a similar logic: Shin-kyung sits in the inside, and Durant and Smith or Ethan provide flexibility and defensive strength on the outside. However, the sense of space and projection ability of the five major lineups is slightly insufficient, which makes Shepard's three-pointers and organizational ability in the point guard position particularly important.

From the perspective of player attributes and team strategy, Smith is more likely to lock in the starter. First, Smith has signed a five-year, $122 million contract extension with the Rockets, and with the last year of his rookie contract, he will stay in Houston for the next six years, with no doubt about stability. And Ethan's contract renewal negotiations have not been reached yet, and the Rockets management needs to be cautious about balancing the salary space and player value. If Ethan starts and plays impressive numbers, other teams may poach at high prices next year's offseason, forcing the Rockets to have a dilemma between matching the offer or letting go. On the contrary, having Ethan as the sixth man will not only lower his market value, but will also sign him back at a more reasonable price next year as a restricted free agent. This strategy not only ensures the team's lineup depth, but also leaves room for future salary management. Another key factor in Smith's starter was his close relationship with Durant. According to internal news from the Rockets, after Durant joined the Rockets, Smith almost inseparably trained with KD. Throughout the offseason, Smith took the initiative to adjust his personal schedule to ensure that he could work with Durant, and was even nicknamed "I wish I could live with KD." This master-apprentice tacit understanding makes Uduka confident in the combination of the two.

Uduka said in the interview: "Jabbarri is like a sponge, crazyly absorbing Durant's experience and skills, and KD also enjoys guiding him. Their relationship makes us more confident in the starting lineup."

Uduka also mentioned that the combination of Smith and Durant reminds him of Tkoglu and Lewis of the Magic back then. Both are over 2.08 meters tall, which can not only open up space and shoot three-pointers, but also deal with misalignment on the defensive end. Data shows that Tkoglu and Lewis averaged 37 points and 11 rebounds per game that year, while Durant and Smith averaged nearly 38.8 points last season, and this was due to Smith's limited ball rights. With Van Jordan absent due to injury, Jaylen Green, who left, averaging 21 points per game, will be absorbed by Durant, while Van Jordan's 14-pointer may be shared by Smith. The preseason will be a critical moment for Uduka to test the effect of this combination. The Rockets' expectations for Smith are not only to become a starter, but also to hope that he will grow into a Durant-like all-round star. However, his template is closer to Klay Thompson, a 3D player who is good at three-pointers and defense. As the 2022 Tanhua Show, Smith has no doubt about his talent, and his height and length of arms give him an advantage on the defensive end. Although his three-point shooting has not reached the peak of Thompson's level, his higher body shape and better athleticism give him greater potential. Under Durant's guidance, Smith began to try to improve his ability to hold balls and play singles, which will be the key to his transformation from a 3D player to an all-round star. Uduka deliberately added Smith and Durant's tactical cooperation in the training camp, aiming to explore the chemistry between the two.

Referring to the Magic's successful experience that year, the combination of Tkoglu and Lewis helped the team to reach the finals, and the combination of Smith and Durant is also expected to become the Rockets' trump card to punish opponents for misalignment. Especially with Van Jordan's absence, Smith needs to take on more offensive responsibilities, which is both a challenge and an opportunity to prove himself. In contrast, Ethan is more suitable for the sixth player role. As an all-round defensive champion, Ethan's energy and versatility on the court make the Rockets' bench full of vitality. However, his projection ability is relatively limited and healthy, which may magnify the space problem in the starting lineup.

In addition, Ethan's contract situation also sounded the alarm for Rockets management. If he is allowed to start and play highlights, it may push up his market value, causing the Rockets to fall into a passive position when renewing the contract. Therefore, keeping Ethan on the bench will not only maximize the depth of the lineup, but also strive for greater salary flexibility for the team. Regardless of the result, the Rockets' lineup depth and talent give them the potential to win the championship in the new season. Durant's experience, Smith's growth and the chemistry of the entire team will determine whether the Rockets can regain their former glory in the new season.