The Rockets’ jumbo lineup almost humiliates the Thunder, but there’s an 82-game problem

The Houston Rockets gambled with their starting line-up in the first game. The name Udoka was left without a starting unit with four 6-foot-11 players and a 6-foot-7 guard. Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun both spent most of their careers at five and even Jabari Smith Jr. he is usually seen as a forward/center. The Seattle Supersonics briefly experimented with its use Kevin Durant as a shooter, but that was almost a decade ago. And although Amen Thompson was heralded as a jumbo point guard coming out of the draft, he found most of his rookie success playing guard and small forward.

The Rockets lineup is certainly unique, and has intrigued many fans. This resulted in the team nearly knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the first game of the season. The Rockets took the Thunder, who are coming off one of the best seasons in NBA history, to two overtimes. They also had a lot of chances to postpone the game. Despite the loss, it’s safe to say the big hit worked against the Thunder, and he’ll likely have his moments throughout the season. However, the jumbo lineup does not count as an 82-game strategy.

The Rockets’ latest philosophy will have its moments

The aspects that make the Rockets’ big roster intriguing were on display in the season opener. Houston’s calling card is defense, and that’s only enhanced by size. The Season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet was devastating, but the team got a defensive upgrade by moving Thompson to fullback. Thompson is one of the best athletes in the NBA, and he can outwork smaller guards. Thompson, Durant, Smith, Taree Eason and possibly Dorian Finney-Smith will earn steals throughout the season because of their length.

In an era where offenses are so pick-and-roll or isolation-heavy, the jumbo lineup allows for a lot of unique offensive looks that defenses are also unfamiliar with. The team sets screens left and right, on and off the ball. They often run horn setswhich allows Sengun to advance from the high position he is so good at working from. Sengun’s passing ability as a big man is also enhanced when he has big targets to throw passes to.

Why the Rockets’ big lineup won’t work long-term

While the jumbo lineup will have its moments, it won’t work all season long. For starters, Adams isn’t an 82-game player. The veteran center has often dealt with injury issues throughout the season, and his offensive limitations tend to land him on the bench at various points in the season.

Furthermore, spacing may become an issue at some point sooner rather than later. Although Sengun is impressed with the never-before-seen stat line in which he connected on five 3-point attempts, the Turkish star is unlikely to maintain that volume or efficiency. Long shooting was one of Houston’s weaknesses last year, and while Durant was brought in to fix that, the Rockets lost a lot of their 3-point presence when VanVleet tore his ACL. Both Sengun and Thompson thrive when they can get downhill and either finish at the rim or dish the ball to perimeter players, but attacking the paint isn’t easy when too many players are congested.

At some point, it might make sense to move Adams out of the starting lineup. Even Smith can work as a backup if the Rockets insist Sengun is the best forward alongside Adams. Reed Shepard had a significant role in the opening. He had some costly mistakes, but he brings a lot that will benefit the Rockets this year. The team will have to open minutes for Finney-Smith as he returns from ankle rehabilitationalso. The Rockets’ big lineup will have its moments this year, but don’t expect it to be the only reason Houston finds success this season.