The Rockets defeated the Spurs, and Shin Jing exploded with 45 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 1 block, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to cut this statistic. But after the game, Shin Kyung took the initiative to mention Ethan and gave him all the credit for winning. Ethan was previously reimbursed for surgery and needed to recuperate for 4 months. And Eason is Shin Kyung's favorite forward, and when Eason plays, the Rockets win the playoffs at the team level, and he has a great influence on both offensive and defensive ends.
Shin Kyung, Eason and Jalen Green are a very strong group, and Shin Kyung is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the Rockets, and he has the most Jokic talent of the six. That's why Jokic said that when he saw Shin Kyung, he remembered his younger self, even though Jokic is not old. However, Shen Jing is also a little inferior to Jokic, that is, his dynamic and static talents are worse, and he is not as good as Jokic in terms of size. So Shen Jing shouldn't be the poor man's version of Jokic, so he should be matched with Jokic. But the advantages and disadvantages are also obvious, and Jokic was not less trained in the military when he was young.
Slow movement, not good frame protection, soft for rebounding, average three-point on the offensive end, average mid-distance, more rely on basket skills to trick the opponent to eat and finish, this is Shen Jing's main scoring method at present. The Nuggets brought in Gordon in order to fill Jokic's shortcomings, but only Eason can shoulder the responsibility of the No. 4 position on the Rockets' side, and Smith is currently a little incompatible with Shin Jing. Smith played just 25 minutes today, and most of his time was split by Whitmore, and Udoka chose to hide him.
In other words, the effect of partnering with Shen Jing, Smith is not as good as the White Devil, not to mention the more suitable Ethan. Smith's projection is inconsistent, his ability to pull space is insufficient, and he can't switch defenses perfectly on the defensive end. To put it bluntly, Shen Jing and Smith can only play the No. 5 position, Smith seems to be the No. 4 position, but in fact, he wants to play the No. 5 position of the small ball. He needs to have a meat-fitting power forward, after all, he is 208 meters, but the confrontation is almost meaningless.
So when Shin Kyung and Smith are on the court together, the effect is too poor, if you want to hit the play-offs next. The ideal lineup for the Rockets is that Shin Kyung is the axis inside, with Whitmore and Jalen Green scoring points, and the White Devils 201 meters, weighing 105 kilograms, the heavy No. 4 position walks flexibly and projections, Dillon covers the No. 3 position, Van Jordan and Shin Jing 15 blocks and dismantled, outside three-point and mid-range. In fact, this lineup is more dexterous and more like the Nuggets. Shin Kyung is Jokic, Jalen Green is Murray, Whitmore and Ethan are Gordon, and Dillon is a little Porter.
Shen Jing holds the ball in the low post, and the shooter pulls away to clear the basket, and Shen Jing can be one-on-one or attract the pinch ball. On the defensive end, the Rockets are also more comfortable with rotation and faster to switch defenses. Shin Kyung is now 212 meters, weighing 112 kilograms is enough, at least in the low-post top defense, there are few inside lines who can eat him infinitely, others only need to help Shen Jing lock the outside line to check and fill the gaps, and the rocket's defensive system will be impeccable. Of course, the best No. 4 spot is Ethan, who can take the Rockets' defense straight to the next level.
Smith Jr. is an awkward presence, he has been marginalized by Udoka this season, has basically no tactics, and has been a neglected presence even under Silas. This season is averaging only 132 points, not much change from the first year of the rookie. If this continues, it will not only affect the rationality of the Rockets' lineup, but also affect Smith's own development, after all, Smith is a flower, and now it is tantamount to a waste of talent. Previously, the Rockets revealed that they would not trade Jalen Green. Especially after getting Adams, the Rockets want to strengthen Green's ability to block and launch offense next season, and Adams is almost a meat shield for Green.