The Rockets lost again, unsurprisingly to the Timberwolves, the team's backcourt duo Jaylen Green and Porter Jr. were 6 of 16 and 3 of 12, respectively, the total plus-minus of -32 was very touching, the offensive excellent Shen Jing became a stab again on the defensive end, allowing Towns to easily score 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, only the No. 17 pick Ethan's play was satisfactory, he played 24 minutes in a balanced offensive and defensive game, shooting 6 of 8, including 2 of 2 from three-pointers, and efficiently scored 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
Tanhua Smith was absent due to injury, and Ethan also gained more playing time, although the starter was still Martin Jr., but Ethan still seized the opportunity, played well on both offensive and defensive ends, showed the quality of the core forward, and also let people see the shadow of Ariza at his peak, and is Ariza with more offensive means.
From the perspective of the game, the Timberwolves have McDaniels and Prince and other tall arms, against the excellent wing defensive gate, resulting in Green and Porter Jr. playing very uncomfortable, and Ethan, as the Rockets' most outstanding small forward, 2.03 meters tall and 2.18 meters of arm span make him not suffer at both the offensive and defensive ends, not only three-pointers, but also staged a good play of a dragon breakthrough, and the defensive end also helped the inside to fill in and grab rebounds many times, causing great trouble to the Wolves.
Another forward, Martin Jr., played 32 minutes as the team, with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, although he is efficient and tough enough, and his physical fitness is excellent, but his arm span and height are only 2.01 meters, he can't do more on the defensive end, dribbling and three-point ability is extremely unstable, and it is only a matter of time before he is replaced by Ethan. The team's purpose in giving him the opportunity is obvious, which is to test the goods to other teams and try to get a future first-round pick.
Veteran Gordon also had 11 points and 4 assists efficiently, but his interest was not high, he didn't care too much about the win, and it was said that the team was liaising with the teams about his trade, after all, Gordon is not playing a good role as a locker room veteran at present, the Nets' Simmons, the Cavaliers' Okoro and Philadelphia's Sebre are the main considerations, and Stone's asking price for Gordon is a future first-round signing plus an instant player, and it is estimated that the championship-contending teams will seriously consider this deal.
At present, it seems that Jaylen Green and Smith, who have been swinging for two years by the Rockets, have not reached the level of the core of the team, but the unexpected Shen Jing and Ethan have good potential and team-leading ability, so if Gordon and Martin Jr. can be used to pack some marginal players in exchange for future draft picks and newcomers with good ability, the Rockets can still make a difference next season.