12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 blocks! Beat the Celtics in the first round. You have to fulfill your talent as the No. 1 pick. The Rockets will bring the league to its finale.

On November 2, the Houston Rockets defeated the Boston Celtics 128-101 in an away game, winning three consecutive games and improving their record to 3 wins and 2 losses, returning to the top seven in the Western Conference. Although the Celtics are playing back-to-back games and Tatum is absent, the lineup led by Jaylen Brown and Derrick White is still very capable. However, the Rockets comprehensively suppressed their opponents on both offense and defense. From their size advantage and rebounding monopoly to the execution of offensive tactics and defensive intensity, they all demonstrated overwhelming dominance. The Green Army's magic ball play was completely restricted, and it was difficult to find open spaces outside the three-point line. The Rockets' perimeter players defended the entire court, forcing their opponents to take more difficult shots. The Rockets themselves relied on organization to find a large number of three-point open opportunities.

The turning point of the three-game winning streak came from Uduka's tactical adjustment. After two consecutive losses at the start, he decisively put Okogie in the starting lineup and partnered with Amen in the backcourt. This change of formation instantly solved the stubborn problem of leaking people on the outside. The double lock combination of Okogie + Amen, plus Smith's sweeping defense, made the Rockets' defensive system impregnable. I have to say that Uduka responded very quickly. Okogie started three games. The Rockets beat their opponents by 73 points and their defensive efficiency further improved. The Greens made only 14 of 44 three-pointers in the game, most of which were forced shots; the Rockets made 19 of 29 shots, efficiently converting open shots. After the change of formation, the Rockets no longer rely on the "Five Deaths" to start, but use them as their trump card at key nodes. In regular time, they mainly focus on a balanced lineup of height + speed.

Smith contributed 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 4 blocks in 26 minutes of the game. Not only did he send out key blocks to boost morale, he also advanced with the ball many times, showing his all-around wing style. He can also shoot three-pointers from the outside. Smith's movement speed and wingspan can prevent small guards from outside and interfere with frame protection inside. He is like the Rockets version of Giannis Antetokounmpo - although his dynamic talent is not as good as Antetokounmpo, it is enough to stand out in high-end games. As the third overall pick in 2022, Smith was once the favorite to be the No. 1 pick. In that draft, the Magic drafted Hubanqueiro with the No. 1 pick, the Thunder selected Chet Holmgren with the No. 2 pick, and the Rockets decisively locked up Smith—then General Manager Stone's decision without hesitation. At that time, Smith was regarded as the youngest space-based big man with outstanding combat ability.

Although some fans later claimed that Jaylen Williams should be selected, no one would take the risk of taking Jaylen Williams in the third pick. Smith's selling points in college were defense and three-pointers. After entering the league, although his ball-handling development did not meet expectations, his talent shone on the defensive end. This season, the 22-year-old Smith entered his fourth grade, averaging 15 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 34 minutes per game, while shooting 37% from three-point range (2.2 shots per game). The score has hovered between 12 and 13 points in the past three years, and the score has increased significantly at the beginning of this season. Although the statistics are not gorgeous, the influence on the field is huge: many active defenses on the outside and big blocks on the inside boosted the momentum of the whole team.

Durant praised after the game: "Every big shot of Smith can be featured in the highlight reel. I teach him as my apprentice."

Shen Jing even bluntly said that Smith has the ability to compete for DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year) this season. His combination of big man's movement speed and shooting is rare in the trend of the times.

Smith's upper limit may be Klay Thompson at the 4th position - focusing on defense and three-pointers. The Timberwolves' Nazrid is a similar template. If Smith focuses on three-pointers and ultimate defense instead of forcing singles with the ball (his talent is limited), when the five-year 125 million contract signed this summer expires, a future maximum salary contract will be just around the corner.

Didn’t Thompson rely on defense and three-pointers back then? In addition, Smith is very similar to Clay in adversity and can withstand pressure in high-end games. Against the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs last season, Smith was more stable than Eason; he made many buzzer-beating shots during the regular season. Moreover, after Jaylen Green left the team, the Rockets' offensive efficiency ranked first in the league, the team's points per game increased, and Smith's personal data increased, proving his value in a space-based system. Durant's joining is the core of the Rockets' offensive and defensive leap. In this game, he efficiently scored 26 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks, with a plus-minus value of +21. He made many key three-pointers to stifle the Green Army's counterattack.

During the offseason, Green was traded for Durant. The efficiency comparison was huge: Durant scored 27.2 points in 15.6 shots (55.1%+41%), while Green only scored 20 points in 17 shots (42%+34%). Durant provides a stable offensive and defensive gate (second in the league in limiting opponents' shooting percentage last season, first in Amen), giving the Rockets a net efficiency of +12.5 per 100 rounds, second in the league (second only to the Spurs +13.3). Shen Jing's inside dominance is equally dazzling. He scored 16 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 blocks in this game. He crushed the ball in the low post to attract flankers and then accurately distributed the ball to create mismatches. The Green Army's defense focused on one thing but not the other, and Brown was unable to stop him on his own. Shen Jing's three-point shooting rate this season is 53% (1.8 per game), further opening up the space and complementing Durant to form an offensive dual-core. Amen Thompson had 17 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists. He organized with the ball and swept the defense, gradually becoming an all-around core.

Okogie started with a minimum salary and integrated offense and defense: 12 points in this game and 3 of 5 three-pointers; he averaged 10 points in 5 games and 60% of three-pointers. Its defensive first-team level has limited Harden and Curry at their peak. Ethan came off the bench with 12 points, and his defense + three-pointers recovered; Shepard had 12 points in 17 minutes (4 of 5 three-pointers), +3 assists, and 0 turnovers, with a plus-minus value of +19, and he was getting better. Adams dominates inside rebounds and connects the entire team. The Rockets' talent is really off the charts, with Shepard's talent as a top pick, Amen's all-round transformation, Smith's defensive cornerstone, and Shen Jing's inside brain. Van Fleet's reimbursement is not a disaster, but an opportunity for military training. If Amen and Sheppard develop, it will be better news for the Rockets than Van Jordan being able to play. If Smith can fulfill his talent as the top pick and develop his 3D attributes to perfection, the Rockets can bring the league to a close. After all, Smith is too young. The Rockets in the new season should not be underestimated. Their offense and defense are too balanced. The addition of Durant directly ignited the Rockets' explosive barrel.