Bind Durant! Want to become the Rockets version of Soup God, Smith expresses his determination, and Uduka also needs to make a decision

The preseason has begun, and the Rockets who got Durant are undoubtedly the favorites to compete for the championship in the new season. They lost Van Jordan, but Durant stated in an interview that he would have little influence on some organizations. What's more, the Rockets have Shepard to withstand the pressure. Now the Rockets have basically set up four players in the starting lineup. Shinkin, Durant, Amen and Shepard, who will start with Smith and Ethan. These two people really can't play together. The five major lineups will have the effect of surprises in some rounds, but they shouldn't be regular lineups.

Just like the Warriors' fifth junior at the time, even in the peak 18 years, the Rockets played Capela in regular time and only went to the fifth junior at critical moments. The Rockets are the same. The sense of space and projection of the five major lineups is indeed almost the same, so Shepard needs to come up to top Van Jordan's position. At present, which one is more suitable for No. 3 position, Smith or Ethan is Xiao Jia in both aspects. The first is that Xiao Jia has renewed his contract for 122 million for 5 years, and next year's rookie has been bound to the Rockets for a total of 6 years in the last year, and Ethan has not renewed his contract yet.

The second is the relationship between Smith and Durant determines the probability of starting. According to Rockets sources, Smith and Durant both trained together in one offseason, and they were together in the offseason last year. Durant came to Houston this year, and Smith was almost sleeping with Durant. He deliberately asked the Rockets staff to readjust his schedule to ensure that he can stick with Durant at all times. Uduka said in an interview today that Durant enjoyed it too.

Uduka said: "I think Durant and Jabbarri can play together. They are very close. Jabbarri is like a sponge, and has been learning from Durant's experience and learning some of his skills. Durant has been guiding him, and KD enjoys it. You know, our lineup is very big. Maybe in some rounds, I will let Durant and Smith play No. 2 and No. 3. They remind me of the combination of Tkoglu and Lewis, which is our weapon to punish the opponent's misalignment." The Rockets' expectations for Smith are undoubtedly to grow into the next Durant, but Jab's template is still Klay Thompson. Because both of them are 3D attribute tool guys who only know how to make three points and defend, it is really bad to hold the ball. Naturally, Xiao Jia is better with talent, he is Tanhualang. Although Smith does not have the ability to shoot three-pointers at the peak Thompson, Smith is taller than Thompson. He is like Thompson with a taller figure, and he can learn how to play ball and play singles with Durant.

Uduka arranged more Smith and Durant to play the same tactics in the training camp, which is also a belief in Xiao Jia's performance. Lewis and Tkoglu were very successful in the combination that year, both of them were over 2.08 meters tall, and the Magic successfully reached the finals. The two averaged 37+11 per game, while Durant and Smith averaged 38.8 points last season. This is still because Smith has no ball rights, and Van Jordan is now injured. Durant averaged 21 points per game with Jaylen Green, while Van Jordan's 14 points Smith still got a share of the pie. This preseason, Uduka may make a decision.

The Rockets have reason to let Smith start. Ethan's contract is now unanimous, so you can't lower the price? At least it would allow Ethan to sign him back at the right price when he became a restricted free agent next year's offseason. Instead of letting Ethan enter the starting lineup to make good data and let other teams quote high prices, it will be a dilemma whether the Rockets match or not. The salary space is simply unsupported, and Ethan has no dime for no match. Durant is not young anymore. He plays on the bench with a price cut, allowing Smith to realize his talent from the start. At least in the new season, the Rockets are still the top-notch in the league.