Trail Blazers’ reconstruction follows the Rockets’ blueprint! Team Note: Will Yang Hansen become Shin Kyung of Portland?

On July 4, Trail Blazers reporter Reese Kunz wrote an article comparing the similarities between the team and the Rockets' reconstruction, believing that the Trail Blazers are following the Rockets' reconstruction blueprint, and Yang Hansen is a key link. Kunz also asked the question: Can Yang Hansen become Shin Kyung of Portland? Here is Kunz's analysis - the Portland Trail Blazers have many similarities in reconstruction strategies with their Western Conference rival Houston Rockets.

This bodes well for the Trail Blazers' prospects - the odds of winning from the competitive West have jumped to second next season after the Rockets brought in superstar Kevin Durant through a well-planned deal.

Trail Blazers follow the Rockets' blueprint and get the deal to get Holiday

Trail Blazers recently completed an unexpected "combat power" deal, and exchanged Anthony Simmons, whose contract is about to expire, for Zhu Holiday, who is overpaid and declining.

But once upon a time, after a record of 22 wins and 60 losses, the Rockets made a series of unconventional operations: signing Van Vleet for 3 years $128.5 million (including player options) and introducing Dillon Brooks for 4 years $80 million.

The following year, thanks to external signings and the growth of young core, the Rockets made significant progress, ending the season with a record of 41 wins and 41 losses.

Holiday is expected to become the Trail Blazers version of VanVleet, helping the team return to the playoffs in the short term. However, the bigger question that determines their ceiling is: Did the Trail Blazers get Yang Hansen in the draft find their Shin Kyung?

Can Yang Hansen become Shen Jing of Portland?

Yang Hansen has been compared with "China Jokic", Shin Kyung and Vucevic. At present, these analogies may be a bit far-fetched, and it is unlikely that he will become a player of the same level. But there is no doubt that this potential exists, otherwise the Trail Blazers would not take such risks on this draft pick.

Even if the Trail Blazers just let Yang Hansen copy Shen Jing's playing style, it will bring a huge improvement to the team's offense. Portland and Houston both ranked in the bottom ten in the league in three-point shooting percentages, and both rely heavily on defense, youthful vitality and athleticism.

Apparently, the Rockets, who advanced as the second seed, have achieved more success with this model, thanks in large part to the key puzzle of Shin Kyung. The Trail Blazers' offense often stagnated last season. If they can have an organizational inside line as an offensive hub, they can better play the defenders' athletic talent.

The Trail Blazers have finally entered the next stage of reconstruction - from hoarding assets and talents to lineup adaptability. If Yang Hansen can play, he will be the perfect adapter.

The Rockets' blueprint is: first introduce veterans to assist young core players to achieve breakthroughs, and then give power to the rising young lineup. As of now, the Trail Blazers have done quite well in following this path.

I hope that Holiday's joining and the continued growth of the players in the team will allow them to return to the playoffs next season. By then, the Trail Blazers will be able to turn a new page and start to consider introducing superstars like Durant.