The Legos are all there – build something cool, Ime.
The Houston Rockets might have the most lineup versatility in the NBA. They can play it anyway they want it, or rather, the way that gives them the biggest advantage. Their mix of players, and especially players who can defend, is incredible. Can they shoot? Well, they can get offensive rebounds and try again. Honestly though, with the improved spacing from Kevin Durant, and some continued development simply through maturity, the Rockets can probably expect to have a better offense this season. If not, they’ll just keep running and offensive rebounding and rely on a reliable scorer.
With the addition of Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith and returning Rocket, Clint Capela, the Rockets’ versatility has grown considerably.
First of all, it’s now overall a very big team. The smallest players are Fred VanVleet, who, despite an uneven and at times frankly bad offensive season, defends his position very well, Reed Sheppard (who is taller than most think at 6’2.5, but has so far played smaller, especially on defense) and Aaron Holiday at (cough) 6’. There’s also Jae’Sean Tate, at 6’4”, but I think no one could argue that he plays small. That’s the “Under 6’5” list.
Everyone else? 6’7” or taller. I think seeing them all together gives a better idea of just what the Rockets can roll out.
To list them, and possible position they can at least defend, if not play at the highest level on offense:
Amen Thompson (All) 6’7”,
Tari Eason (SG, SF, PF) – 6’8”
Dorian Finney-Smith (SF, PF, C) – 6’7”
Jabari Smith (SF, PF, C) – 6’11”
Kevin Durant (SF, PF, “SG”) – 7’
Cam Whitmore (SG, SF) – 6’7”
Alperen Sengun (PF, C) – 6’11”
Clint Capela (“PF”, C) – 6’10”
Steven Adams – (C) – 6’11”
Jeff Green – (PF) – 6’8”
N’Faly Dante – (C) – 6’11”
(Note – I didn’t list players I am very uncertain will be part of the roster going forward – Jock Landale, Jeenathan Williams).
Here are a few lineups I think are plausible, but I think we’ll see more experimentation than this, and I can’t reasonably list every possible combination. Remember, Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams weren’t just an amusing buddy comedy team, they were a devastating lineup combination. Lots of things are possible, and if ever a team was meant to largely play positionless basketball, or basketall (as I usually typo it) it’s these Rockets.
Who Do You Call Up In A Pick Lineup
Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun
You can also switch in Dorian Finney-Smith, Cam Whitmore if he’s still alive and a Rocket, and maybe Clint Capela.
Who do you call up? Who? Alperen Sengun still has the “bad defender” tag from some who are Professional Casuals and just repeat what they’ve heard. It’s wrong. He’s no longer a bad defender, he’s a good one. Watch other offenses and see how much they want to go against him.
(A note on Capela — the Baby Deer isn’t a baby anymore, so can he still be springy and switch everything? Can he still set great picks, and catch lobs (I guess Reed or Amen or Alpie will throw them)? We won’t know until we see him do it. But I think his statistical collapse is overstated. On a per36 basis, he’s pretty much the same guy he’s been for the past few years. He’s still a very good offensive rebounder. Surprise! The main issue is availability.)
Keep Shooting It, We’ll Grab More Offensive Boards
Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams
(Others – Cam Whitmore, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Dorian Finney-Smith, Tari Eason)
This is a versatile lineup. While it’s good to have big lineups, what TJ McConnell did to OKC is instructive, and it’s what Reed Sheppard can do, too, and probably better fairly soon. OKC is predicated on swarming opponents, and being quicker. If they aren’t quicker, that swarm gets broken very badly.
Let’s Just Outscore Them
Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, Cam Whitmore, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith
I know, I know. I just want to see it.
Bread And Butter
Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun
This is what I think the starting lineup will be. I’m not sure how people are reading Jabari’s deal as “He’s a backup.”. This is the new NBA salary reality.
There are lots more possible combinations! This is a crazy versatile team.