Due to the departure of Westbrook and Harden's two core cores, even if the team still has excellent immediate combat capabilities such as Wall, Oladipo, Tucker and Gordon in the team lineup, the league's old and strong Rockets have to face it. The reality of reconstruction.
Especially considering the potential injury hazards of the current lineup and the fierce competition for the Western Conference playoff spots, it is even more difficult for the Rockets to remain competitive.
However, I believe that the Rockets will not deliberately smash, on the one hand, because in previous transactions, the Rockets have already sent the 2021 first-round exchange right to the Thunder.
This means that even if the Rockets lose their way and eventually enter the bottom four in the league, according to the league's new draft regulations, the team has only a half chance of getting this first-round pick.
On the other hand, the Rockets currently have a good lineup. If they are forced to put up badly, it will not only hurt the fans, but also the image of the team, and affect the signing of subsequent stars. The decline in team valuation is also foreseeable , Because the big ball market in Hugh City is entirely due to long-term competitiveness.
Therefore, whether it is from the perspective of vested interests or the long-term practical value of the team, Hugh City will not deliberately smash, otherwise the team will not choose to provide the veteran Tucker with a renewal offer.
In this case, the US media "spacecityscoop" also called for the Rockets to fully cultivate the three players in the current lineup and build the future of the team around them.
3. The inner core of the team: Wood
There is no doubt that Wood will appear on this list, as the Rockets' most important offseason signing object, Wood, a late bloomer , Delivered a surprising performance this season.
Since the season, he has averaged 23.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game, and a shooting percentage of 52.8%. His comprehensive ability on the court has made him call him "little thick eyebrows".
Considering that he is only 25 years old, there is still huge room for improvement in technology,After honed in his possession and possession, he can fully assume the core role of the Rockets in the future.
2. Team striker core: Tate
Like Wood, Tate is also one of the Rockets' offseason Taobao draft picks, and the Houston management, who has always been cautious, directly lost the draft. Sign a three-year contract.
Judging from the performance of the season so far, the new Rockets management does have a hand in digging in the low position.
Tate's size is very similar to Tucker, but the technical comprehensiveness is far better than Tucker, a tough striker.
Since the season, Tate has averaged 26 minutes per game, scoring 8.7 points and 4.4 rebounds, shooting 52% from the field, ranking ninth in the rookie list in scoring, and showing excellent basketball IQ and passing vision.
1. Team defender core: Kevin Porter Jr.
As Kevin Porter Jr. has just fallen into the trouble in the locker room, he is just a first-round No. 30 pick. Some fans are very optimistic about the new Rockets.
But in fact, putting aside the perverse personality and off-court vices, just looking at personal talent and performance on the court, Kevin Porter is fully capable of assuming the core role of the Rockets in the future backcourt, even for many years. The Cavaliers wanted to play this role before.
He is the same left-handed player as Harden. He has no obvious technical shortcomings on both ends of the offense and defense. He has excellent scoring explosiveness. He has surrendered 30 points in a single game during his rookie season.
Therefore, as long as the Rockets can make this thorn head overhaul and devote himself to the game, he is likely to become the biggest surprise for the Rockets in the future.
