The Rockets strength league second? Three new players + four new stars are worth looking forward to, Ethan may become a victim

The well-known American media ESPN is quite optimistic about the Rockets, and the expert team gave Houston an A-level rating this summer. In ESPN's view, the only one who can compete with the Rockets in operation this summer is the Hawks.

ESPN believes that the Rockets can rank second in the league after strengthening, and they have a full chance to compete for the championship next season.

The Rockets' three new players (Durant, Finney Smith and Capela) and four new stars (Sengon, Amen, Smith Jr., Shepard) are worth looking forward to. The Rockets got Durant, the league's top scorer from the Suns trade. Although he is 36 years old, he still maintains a good offensive level. Durant is 2.11 meters tall and has an arm span of 2.25 meters, with obvious advantages in positioning and excellent shooting feel. The Rockets have the league's top defensive resources, and Durant can focus on offensive ends. In addition, the Rockets plan to save Durant in the regular season so that he can bring his best form to the playoffs. Durant can also help the Rockets' young players grow, and he can attract opponents' defenses to make teammates play easier.

Fenney Smith can replace Dillon, who left the team, and his defense and three-pointers are exactly what the Rockets need.

Capela is a complement to the Uduka Double Tower Program. The combination of Adams and Sengon satisfies Uduka, who hopes to increase the playing time of the two towers in the new season. However, Adams' attendance rate cannot be guaranteed, so the Rockets need to introduce a reliable defensive inside, so Stone welcomed Capela back.

Only Sengong stayed for the four first-round picks that year, and he became the fig leaf for Stone's 2021 draft. Sengong, who is only 23 years old, still has room for improvement. The five-year $185 million contract he signed is quite worthwhile.

Sengong's shooting percentage dropped last season, and he consumed a lot of energy on the defensive end, which would affect the offense. Adams or Capela can make Sengon focus more on the offensive end, who is also practicing shooting hard to improve his attack range.

Amen made considerable progress last season, and some Rockets fans are looking forward to him per game to reach 20 points in the new season. Amen's three-pointers and free throws are also events that he needs to practice hard during the offseason. Houston reporter Ben Boss said one of the reasons why the Rockets decided to send Jaylen Green away is to give Amen more opportunities to hold the ball and allow him to grow further.

Wuduka mentioned in his latest interview that he hopes the Rockets will make better three-pointers in the new season. Shooting was Smith Jr.'s selling point in the draft, with his three-point shooting percentage in the playoffs last season. The five-year, $122 million contract contains the Rockets' expectations for Smith Jr. Smith Jr. is only 22 years old after all, and he can continue to grow. If Smith Jr. was 32 years old, the Rockets would not have offered him such a renewal offer.

Shepard practiced strength and physical fitness before, and recently returned to the University of Kentucky to practice shooting. The Rockets plan is to add Shepard's role in the new season. Of course, Stone hopes that he can play and not waste a valuable No. 3 pick.

ESPN is still optimistic about Shepard and does not mention Ethan's name. Ethan also practiced hard during the offseason and recently played jungle ball. Ethan did not reach an early contract renewal with the Rockets as quickly as Smith Jr., and he may become a victim in the new season, with less playing time, and even the possibility of being traded cannot be ruled out.

Ethan is 24 years old, the oldest among the remaining five Rockets, with a low room for improvement and a low attendance rate. Ethan's selling point is defense, but now there are many defensive players in the Rockets. Finney Smith can defend the inside and the front line, while Okogie can defend the defender. Ethan's offense is not outstanding either, and he does not have much advantage in the competition.

In ESPN's strength list, the Thunder ranks first, while the Nuggets ranks third.

The Clippers, whose books seem to be quite strong, rank seventh, the Rockets' Debate Warriors' ranked ninth, and the Lakers ranked tenth.