The Houston Rockets are shaking things up! They're unleashing a seriously tall starting lineup for their NBA season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Get ready for some high-flying action!
Rockets Go Big or Go Home
The Rockets' new strategy involves fielding a starting five where no player is shorter than 6'7" (2.01m). The towering lineup consists of Steven Adams, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., the legendary Kevin Durant, and Amen Thompson. That's an average height of 6'10.2" (2.09m)!
This bold move is generating massive buzz on social media. Fans are sharing memes and reactions, highlighting the potential size disparity between the Rockets and their opponents. Will this height advantage translate into wins?
Durant's Return to OKC
The game also marks a significant return for Kevin Durant to Oklahoma City, where he spent many years as the face of the franchise. It's a Back to the Future Night of sorts, celebrating the past while looking towards the future of both teams.
The Thunder, fresh off their NBA Championship win, represent the result of patient team building and growth. They learned to play together and overcome adversity, a stark contrast to Durant's past decisions to join established superteams.
Can the Rockets Contend?
While the Rockets' height could pose problems for teams like the Thunder, some fans remain skeptical. They question whether the Rockets can truly contend with stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder or Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors.
The Rockets made a significant acquisition in Durant, but the injury to Fred VanVleet forced a change in plans. Will the "all-tall" experiment pay off, or will the Thunder's cohesive team play prevail? Tune in to find out!