Houston, you are a big problem.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka told reporters on October 20 that he plans to use a massive lineup on opening night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The proposed lineup: 6-foot-7 Amen Thompson, 6-foot-11 Kevin Durant, 6-foot-11 Jabari Smith Jr., 6-foot-11 Alperen Sengun and 6-foot-11 Steven Adams. Many knew the Rockets would be able to run several massive lineups this season, but Adams’ inclusion in the starting lineup on opening night sent NBA media members and fans into a frenzy.
Houston Rockets Opening Night Lineup Against Oklahoma City Thunder
The choice to attack the Thunder with a massive lineup isn’t terribly surprising. In past seasons, especially with some injuries to its frontcourt, the Thunder have been attacked on the glass by teams. In 2023-24, they ranked fourth-highest opponent offensive rebound percentage, as noted by Sports Illustrated. A season ago, they ranked No. 19 in defensive rebounding percentage (74.4%) according to Team Rankings. Chet Holmgren, while a unique talent whose length provides a ton of advantages, has targeted on his blockouts due his slight frame.
It was a big reason the Thunder brought in Isaiah Hartenstein last season, shoring up some defensive rebounding weaknesses. Obviously, that move, coupled with other strokes of brilliance, pushed the Thunder into a different stratosphere and to an NBA title.
The Rockets will try to disrupt that with their prized offseason acquisition: Durant. Durant’s size and Hall-of-Fame-caliber skillset allows the Rockets to slide him up and down lineups, slotting him in as the starting shooting guard on opening night. The 15-time All-Star presents matchup problems however he lines up most nights.
Adams, the veteran big man, showed at various times last season how impactful he could be as a defensive anchor. He grabbed 2.9 offensive rebounds in just 13.7 minutes last season, an elite production in limited time. It’s a skillset he’s mastered his entire career, as he’s Top 10 all-time in offensive rebounds per 100 possessions, according to Basketball Reference. The Rockets rewarded him with a three-year, $39 million contract extension in the offseason.
Too Big?
The Rockets will rely on third-year standout Thompson to handle the ball in a lot of situations, due to the injury to NBA champion point guard Fred VanVleet. VanVleet tore his ACL in September, posing a big question to a roster expected to compete for a championship. In the short term, the Rockets will use Thompson at point guard, and presumably use Durant to handle the ball as well.
Second-year point guard Reed Sheppard figures to get plenty of opportunities to run Houston’s offense too.
Houston’s jumbo lineup could present spacing issues. Only Durant is a proven consistent threat from deep, meaning teams could clog the paint and blitz Durant to stymy Houston’s offense.
The Rockets’ new identity under Udoka continues to center on physicality and matchup pressure. Houston ranked among the league’s top five in offensive rebounding rate last season, and Udoka appears intent on doubling down with a lineup built to punish smaller teams inside.
The Rockets take on the Thunder on October 21 (nationally televised on NBC/Peacock, at 7:30 PM ET).
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