We're in the middle of baseball season with NFL training camps set to open over the next two weeks yet the Houston Rockets have made us want to talk NBA basketball in mid-July. With the blockbuster trade for Kevin Garnett, acquisition of Clint Capela, and free-agent signing of Dorian Finney-Smith, this is a team fans are excited to watch.
So why not, in the one of the slowest sports weeks of the year, talk about how their rotation might shake out come October and look at some possible alignments?
The Starters
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Dorian Finney-Smith
Kevin Durant
Alperen Sengun
The only real question here is does Finney-Smith or Jabari Smith, Jr. claim the small forward spot? We lean toward Finney-Smith only because he is a bit more versatile when it comes to guarding a range of positions on the floor. But, Smith, Jr. will be first off the bench and should be a big contributor.
The Rotation Reserves
Jabari Smith, Jr.
Tari Eason
Steven Adams
Reed Sheppard
Expect Smith, Jr. and Eason to see loads of minutes barring injury. They ought to be two of the most important parts of the rotation throughout the season. Adams became a go-to last year, but his minutes will be limited to protect him from injury, which is why bringing in Capela was a move that made sense. We don't know if Sheppard will find his footing as a primary backup to VanVleet, but with his shooting skills and improved defense, it would be a big help. If not, Aaron Holiday is waiting in the wings again.
The Extended/Injury Rotation Reserves
Clint Capela
Aaron Holiday
Jae'Sean Tate
Jeff Green
Capela should see plenty of time on the floor with the Rockets restricting Adams throughout the course of the season. He also offers a change-of-pace to Adams with his rim-running lob potential. Holiday's playing time will depend heavily on the improvement of Sheppard while Tate and Green provide reliable, quality veterans able to spell players who need rest or are dealing with injuries. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Tate's time increase if Durant gets extended time off.
The Quad-Big Lineup
Amen Thompson
Dorian Finney-Smith
Jabari Smith, Jr.
Kevin Durant/Alperen Sengun
Steven Adams/Clint Capela
Toward the end of last season, Coach Ime Udoka often used a "double-big" lineup with Sengun and Adams both in at the same time. Expect more of that this season but including Capela and Durant in that rotation. But with the incredible flexibility of so many of the Rockets athletes, a lineup that put Finney-Smith at guard, Smith, Jr. at small forward and a pair of bigs in there with Thompson, who can guard power forwards, would make for a very tough lineup against teams like OKC, who can feature some sizable front courts.
The Switch-Everything Lineup
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Dorian Finney-Smith
Tari Eason
Kevin Durant
And since we are tinkering, it's always good to have the kind of lineup that can switch with anyone. Guard a guard with a center, a center with a forward. The Rockets absolutely have the athletes to do that and it could lead to some very fun fast breaks as well.
Final Two Minutes Offense
Fred VanVleet
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith, Jr.
Kevin Durant
Alperen Sengun
Assuming Sengun can continue to improve his free throw shooting, this is a very tough offensive lineup in the final moments of a half or game. With shooters, distributors and guys who can get to the rim, it's tough to imagine matching up with this lineup.
Final Two Minutes Defense
Amen Thompson
Tari Eason
Dorian Finney-Smith
Kevin Durant
Steven Adams/Clint Capela
Conversely, when you need to shut guys down, my goodness. The length mixed with the athleticism is wildly formidable when you put Eason, Thompson and Finney-Smith on the perimeter with Durant and either Adams or Capela as your backstop.