I think we end up going big to start and close: Amen Tari Jabari Durant Sengun Amen, Durant, and Sengun can all share responsibilities playmaking and creating offense.
Lets not forget that slowly but surely Jabari has improved every season. He did great in the playoff shooting 45.5% from 3.
I picked Amen, DFS, KD, Bari, Sengün due to the length and defense, plus you’ll still having Tari coming off of the bench as the spark plug along with Reed. Also Amen was drafted as a PG and the plan was to initially have him and Jalen in the backcourt before Udoka came and we made changes, so I’d like to see how he works out. All that being said I’m not against a lineup of Reed, Amen, KD, Bari, Sengün. We drafted Reed with the third pick so it’s only right to see what we can get out of him and see if he’s ready to start in this league, but I’d like to see him earn it as the season goes on instead of just outright giving it to him
with FVV out Rockets have a chance to be more atheltic, taller, longer Amen KD DFS Jabari Sengun or Amen KD Tari Jabari Sengun
Unless Reed really blows it in the pre-season, I think it is obvious that it will start with Amen, Reed, Durant, Jabari and Sengun. I do think they will have a quick hook with Reed. DFS or Durant guarding SG’s is laughable. The bench rotation is every bit as important as the starting lineup and I think DFS, Tari, Okogie, Adams could be pretty incredible defensively. Ime has his work cut out for him trying to figure this out. He sure won’t be able to be as formulaic as he was last year if they are to succeed.
The more I think about it the more I think this makes the Rockets worse in October. But much better in May.
More and more it feels to me like Aaron Holiday will be the starter. 1. He brings the defence 2. He doesn't turn the ball.over 3. Good shooter 4. Not going to "get in the way" of KD, Alpy and Amen 5. We keep the bench spark production (Reed running point) I assume they will restructure some of the offence with FVV gone, and (sadly) we may lose that FVV/ Alpy high pick (or does that become a Reed/ Alpy thing?). But Aaron can bring the ball over half court safely, is a defensive hustler, and can slot in through the early exchanges. I don't necessarily see Holiday playing starter minutes, more like 20ish mpg, with Sheppard given plenty of opportunity off the bench. But giving Sheppard the space to be potentially more creative will help his game.
Reason for KDs disgruntlement came from him not getting enough times with the ball as initiator for the PHX due to them having too many guards. I think majority of ball handling will be done by KD and Sengun
1. Amen - KD - Jabari - Sengun - Adams Why? No team is outrebounding this lineup. Interior defense will be elite. The opposing team's shooting guard likely will not outscore KD. Save Sengun mileage by not dealing with centers as much. Makes sense why Capela is now a Rocket again. 2. Amen - KD - Tari - Jabari - Sengun Terror Twins wrecking havoc on defense. Drop off in rebounding but still elite. Less interior defense but better perimeter defense and offensive 3pt% than #1. Contract year for Tari until further notice. 3. Amen - Reed - KD - Jabari - Sengun Time for Reed to prove he can shoot the ball from kickouts from KD, Amen, and Sengun. This should be a consideration as the lineup of the future minus KD once he retires. 4. Reed - KD - Amen - DFS - Sengun I do not see Jabari coming off the bench now that FVV is out for the season plus getting his payday. But maybe the Rockets want to use him as a supersub and feel his offense is needed for the bench unit. Reed would have to prove he's ready for point guard duties which gives Amen more focus on havoc. DFS is a versatile veteran with solid defense and a reliable 3 ball. Plus he won't demand the ball.
I actually don't hate that line up tbh. Bari better hit them shots though, and because Tari would be with all the stars hopefully he wouldn't get too many chances to miss open layups.
They’ve got too much on the line for that. I anticipate running it through Sengun and seeing if some secondary options produce better results.
Bari hitting those 3s at a decent clip will be key, but it could be a wildly successfully lineup. Also, we are able to substitute early if need be.
We need a starting point guard all other positions solidify. Keep it silly simple and start Aaron Holiday. He will do the fundamental functions and everyone else will grow together. This team doesn’t need a dominant player at the point. Holiday / Amen / KD / DFS / Sengun gives everyone room to work. The second unit is fully equipped with Shepherd / JSJ / Adams —> structure & Eason adds a true 6th man. Plus who ever is hot from the starting lineup blends everyone less Adams play multi positions. We also have very good spot minute defenders as well. finishers —> KD / JSJ / Sengun / Amen and the hottest hand. We have a lot to be thankful for as TEAM.
