Many fans want to make Rockets play badly for another year, but the Rockets' small forward Tate has no such meaning. In a recent interview, Tate said that many teams think that the Rockets are still rebuilding, but the Rockets will respond to their opponents with their performance. The implication is clear - the Rockets in the new season are no longer the bottom team that was slaughtered last season.
The Rockets won 3 wins and 1 loss in the preseason, which seems to be the best response. The Rockets were questioned last season. Although there were 4 rookies joining, their overall record is not much better than the 2020-2021 season. The Rockets seem to want to win more games in the new season, at least on Tate's side, I don't know if it can represent the entire Rockets team.
European center Wenban Yama has been regarded as the next Duncan . If the Rockets play badly for a year, there is a chance to win Wenban Yama. After all, among the five positions of the Rockets, Porter Jr. at No. 1 has also performed well, leaving only Shin Kyung's performance in the preseason. If Shin Kyung can be replaced by Wenban Yama, then the five positions on the Rockets will no longer have shortcomings.
Hankyung performed in the preseason? In the 4 games, except for the game against , Raptors, and , Shin Kyung went to the dentist to see a dentist and did not play, he appeared as the starting center in the other three games, but his performance seemed to have a slight decline compared to last season. Let’s look at the data first. After three games, Shin Kyung only scored 27 points + 13 rebounds, averaging 9 points and 4 rebounds per game, which is similar to his regular season data last season.
But the difference is that Shin Jing has been serving as the starting center in the new season. Last season, he was just a substitute center with limited playing time. He was promoted to the starting lineup, improving his playing time and ball rights, but he did not make any progress. In the game against Heat, he was defended by veteran center Dedmon so much that his life was doubted (only scored 2 points, 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 5 fouls). So is Shin Jing really worthy of the starting position?
It seems that Fernando is more worthy of the starting center position of the Rockets. So does Shin Kyung have anything to say when facing doubts? Now Shin Kyung has also expressed his opinion. In an interview, Shin Kyung said: "(becoming a starter) is difficult for me because I want to fight those big guys, such as Jokic and Embiid . I will start and compete with them, and I am excited. This is also a good experience for me. I am ready. I am still young and I need to learn. I still have to work hard to be the best. Whether it is starting or substitute, it is no difference for me."
Shin Kyung's words are a bit like "hiding needles in the cotton". Although he said that he was the same as a substitute, he still wanted to firmly hold the position of the Rockets' starting center, otherwise he would not say he was "ready".
Since Shin Kyung is ready to become the starting center of the Rockets, his meaning is also clear. He will never give in to the exclusive starting position. Judging from Shin Kyung's personal ability, even if he has Fernando and Boban , they cannot shake Shin Kyung's starting position.
As long as Shin Kyung has the awareness and determination to start, no one can challenge his starting center position - unless the Rockets get Wenban Yama next summer.
For Shin Kyung, it is good to have this determination. He is originally a center with talent, skills, and first-class passing awareness. He only needs to improve his confrontation and defense. At least in the new season, Shin Kyung is the Rockets' well-deserved starting center.
