The rocket's most commonly used starting lineup this season is Porter Jr. + Green + Gordon + Tate + Wood, but in the last game against the Jazz, because of the absence of Back-to-Back Gordon, Silas replaced Gordon with Matthews, and in this lineup, the Rockets' highest is 2.08 meters wood, and the opponents facing, in addition to Mitchell, the Jazz have a huge height advantage in other pairs.
In fact, not only this game, the Rockets have a clear disadvantage against many teams to start, which is one of the factors why the Rockets have ranked first in the league on the defensive end this season. As far as the overall lineup is concerned, the most urgent need for the Rockets to improve is the height of the No. 4 position, and Tate has always been the team's starting No. 4 position. But his height is only 1.93 meters, belongs to the height of the guard, in this game against the Jazz, the Rockets used this set of starting half-time behind 13 points, but after Tate withdrew from the game due to injury, in the second half Cyrus replaced Tate with Martin Jr., the Rockets even reversed the equalizer, although in overtime the Rockets lost, but this matter is still enough to remind the Rockets management.
It is undeniable that Tate is a very good player, after Tucker left the team he is the spiritual leader of the team, every game is conscientious, on the court is willing to do dirty work, never complained, but Tate still has a very obvious disadvantage, 1.93 meters is the height of the guard, but to the top of the 4th position, even if he has a good basket to end the foot, but in the defensive end of the Rocket height disadvantage is very obvious, in terms of Tate's height and ability, he is best suited to play the 3rd position, there is strength, He has a certain ability to dominate the ball, but the lack of three points has become his fatal shortcoming, this season Tate's three-point shooting rate is only 30.9%, and he can average 0.8 three-pointers per game, which is basically the same as last season, which shows that he has not improved in outside projection.
And after replacing Martin Jr. in the second half of the game against the Jazz, the Rockets played an immediate effect on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, in response to the Jazz's characteristics of the inside turtle basket, martin Jr. responded with three points after getting the empty space opportunity, and in an interview after the game, Silas said of Martin Jr.: "Those shots he shot, I want him to shoot those shots, Gobert assisted, we gave him the ball, he kept hitting in the fourth quarter. This forced the opponent to have Gobert defend Wood in the end, which was key for us because Wood could do what to block, and in extra time we got the same chance but failed to hit, but I wasn't angry at our shooting choice at all. ”
From Silas's words, it can also be seen that he is supporting Martin Jr., in fact, the Rockets should abandon Tate, and the son of the Rockets is the answer to the Flank of Hugh City. Although Martin Jr. has only averaged 0.8 three-pointers per game this season, his shooting rate has reached 35.3% above the passing line, and Martin Jr. has limited playing time and opportunities in each game, and it is very good to have such a stable performance. In addition, in terms of physical talent, Martin Jr. is also crushing Tate, and in the case of Garupa not cashing in on the talent, Martin Jr., a 21-year-old, should get more opportunities.