New season outlook: Rockets championship?

officially launched a new series today, focusing on the outlook for each team's new season. The first issue will first focus on those teams whose lineup framework has basically been formed.

The Rockets are like working on a complex puzzle this offseason. When Okogi signed the last contract with a minimum salary of 3.1 million in a year, the "Xuanwu Formation" finally made its debut - among the 14 formal contracts, 10 players had an arm span of more than 2.13 meters, and Durant, Capela, and Adams all reached 2.26 meters. Coupled with Amen Thompson's explosive power and Shin Kyung's support ability, this team has the defensive toughness of the Pistons' "Iron Legion" in 2004, and also has the potential to combine "spear and shield" rare on the field. How to match the

lineup? The Rockets' offseason operation idea is very clear: Durant was exchanged for Jabbarry Smith and Adams, and the "Electric Fan", Capela and Okogie, and the final lineup was formed, with forward players accounting for more than half. Among the 14 people, Durant, Amen Thompson, Ethan, Jabbarri, Finney Smith, Tate, Okogie, and Jeff Green are all forwards, and they can almost defend from No. 1 to No. 5, which is completely based on Uduka's idea.

Wuduka's coaching style has always been like this: you can be more tolerant on the offensive end, and you can continue to try even if you can't make a shot, but you can't be careless in defense. If you relax a little, you may be pressed on the bench. This is why Whitmore was sent away in the end despite scoring - his defense did not meet the team's requirements. Conversely, Shepard stayed because of the special management plan. Although his style does not match this group of "defensive players" (some people jokingly call him "Samoyed in the Hounds group"), he will definitely get a lot of playing time in the new season.

The backcourt, Van Vreet has enough experience and can control the field. The real thing worth paying attention to is Amen Thompson. There are too many forwards now, and the team seems to want him to play as a defender. When he played the point guard at the guest star in January 2025, he scored three consecutive games - 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against the Cavaliers, 25 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists against the Knicks, 18 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against the Suns, and 5 assists per game after the All-Star Game. His body is like a sports car that can fly by stepping on the accelerator. He is especially good at using his speed and flexibility. Even if he is squeezed to the sideline and is about to get out of bounds, he can still adjust his moves by jumping and stagnating. This sense of balance even Danny Green feels like Iguodala, and it is really a chance to make him play as a defender.

The inside line is a combination of "two towers + support": Capela and Adams can grab more than 20 rebounds in one game, and guard the penalty area like an iron barrel; Shin Kyung is more comprehensive, can pass the ball at the top of the arc, can hold the ball to the basket by himself, and can play singles behind his back. If he can practice the shooting, he might be the young version of Jokic. How to fight the

tactics? Fast attack speed up, positional battles play tricks

Rockets' tactics in the new season, and the combination of speed and slow is very interesting.

When fighting back, Amen Thompson can take the lead in taking the ball. He runs fast and has a strong impact. When the opponent's defense is in chaos, Durant will end with his historic three-pointer. This combination is exciting to think about. After the 2025 All-Star Game, Amen averaged 5 assists per game, which means that after rushing, he can quickly find his teammates on the weak side, including Durant and Jabbarri, waiting to catch the ball and shoot.

After falling into positional battles, it has layers like playing chess. Amen or Van Vreet launched an attack on one side, Shin Kyung passed the ball in the middle, and Durant ran on the other side without holding the ball to find opportunities - he didn't have to break through and pass the ball like Doncic. As long as there was a little open, he could make up for the small problem of his single breakthrough route. If the game is in a stalemate, Durant and Shin Kyung play a reverse pick-and-roll, just like Antetokounmpo's common trick, no matter who is on the opposite side, they will hit the death if they are misaligned.

Uduka has also prepared two powerful lineups: the "Five Deaths" are Shin Kyung, Adams, Smith, Amen and Ethan, with an average height of more than 2.06 meters. The penalty area is blocked tightly, and the rotation is not slow; the "Five Deaths" are teamed by Durant, Finney Smith, Amen, Ethan and Jabbarri, who rely on the flexibility of the forward line to crack the opponent's pick-and-roll. The Rockets' defensive performance ranked fifth in the league last season. With the new lineup, the "Long-arm Forest", it may be able to compete with the Thunder's top defense. What are the hidden dangers in

? It depends on the veteran's condition and whether young people can improve

, but this team is not without hidden worries. On the offensive end, the Rockets scored 114.9 points per 100 rounds last season, ranking 12th in the league, and their shooting efficiency was average. Many times, they rely on grabbing frontcourt rebounds to support the scene. Durant can improve a lot when he comes, but he is already 36 years old. He has missed 143 games in the past three years. If he plays less than 65 games in the new season, his offense may still be lost.

The more important thing is whether young people can keep up. If Shepard couldn't practice shooting in college, no one could use the No. 1 and No. 2 positions; if Amen and Shin Kyung still didn't make any progress in shooting, their opponents would dare to let them go far, and Durant would have no room; Jabbarri had to keep shooting with a contract extension, so he couldn't keep shooting accurately; Ethan had to shoot more three points, otherwise he would just defend and his playing time might be snatched by Okogi.

The progress of these young people is directly related to whether the Rockets can overcome the Thunder. The Thunder are also a young team. Jewish and Chet are both improving, and the Rockets must make progress faster than them. After all, basketball cannot win the championship by just defending. Last season's playoff Rockets lost because of their poor offense. This has already shown the problem - they must be good at defense and key balls to go far. Is this "big bet" worth looking forward to?

After all, the Rockets' operation is a "big bet". Durant has some energy in the last two years, Amen can practice shooting, Shen Jing has been growing, Jabbarri finds his correct goal. If it succeeds, it might be like the Pistons in 2004, relying on defense as the base and superstar finishing touches to win the championship; if it fails, it may become a negative teaching material, which will delay young people and the value of veterans will not be realized.

But isn't the charm of basketball here? When Amen rushed up, Shin Kyung made a pass, and Durant made a shot, the picture itself was enough to make people look forward to the new season. No matter what the result is, the Rockets have put the chips on the table and are waiting for the new season to verify.