Minnesota and Houston are both small-ball teams, with the former slowly going stronger after making big trades after accumulating talent, while the latter has just entered the second phase of a rebuild. The Rockets really can't beat this game, not to mention that they are still missing two defensive giants.
Rockets head coach Udoka said: "We didn't match the physical confrontation and intensity of the Timberwolves, they bullied us, and in some ways, it was the worst game of the season.
The fig leaf for the Rockets in this game is no longer Alperen Sengun, but Jalen Green, who has been blackened into carbon.
The Timberwolves' defensive efficiency is the best in the league, with a big gate on the inside and an iron lock on the outside. The Rockets' two-man turnaround offense doesn't have a good way to face the Timberwolves' defense, and only Jalen Green can use his talent to play alone.
Udoka admitted after the game that Sengun was defended: The Timberwolves have a good defender (Gobert), and Sengun didn't win this game today.
Green shot 56.3 percent from the field against the Timberwolves, Sengun was 51.9 percent and Van Jordan was just 37.1 percent.
Green scored a team-high 20 points and averaged 22 points per game in his last five games, shooting 23-of-47 from three-point range.
The Rockets currently have no intention of trading Jalen Green for No. 7 pick Jonathan Kuminga, even though he was once one of Stone's favorite targets.
The Warriors struggled to win the Pistons, Kuminga played 35 minutes and 38 seconds and scored 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist, shooting 4-of-8 from the field, 0-of-1 from three-point range, with 4 turnovers and a plus/minus of +16 to rank first on the team. Shams broke the news that Kuminga had lost faith in head coach Cole and that he was worried he would be delayed. Kerr responded that he had spoken to Kuminga that he would stay in the starting lineup and that he was growing.
Kuminga, 21 years old and 2.01 meters tall, was selected in the 7th place in the 2021 draft. At the time, the rebuilding Rockets lacked a good forward, and general manager Stone sent scouts to scout Kuminga early on. Later, the Rockets drew the No. 2 pick, and Kuminga's market declined, so Stone selected Jalen Green.
One is a championship contender, the other is a rebuilding team, and Kuminga obviously can't get the unlimited ball possession like Jalen Green. On more than one occasion he has expressed his desire to increase his playing time.
"NBA Analysis Network" has previously suggested that the Rockets copy Kuminga, and there are many Rockets fans who are optimistic about him. Some fans said that they could use Green to trade for Kuminga.
Jalen Green treats Curry as a big brother, and Dream Green likes the young man too. Kuminga is not the new signing the Rockets need at the moment.
It's clear that Udoka likes to shoot threes to open up space, aggressive on the defensive end, strong tactical execution, and obedient forwards.
Kuminga averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22 minutes per game this season, shooting 50.6% from the field, 28% from three-point range and 68.8% from the free throw line, ranking 159th in the league in defensive efficiency.
Kuminga's finishing ability on the inside is okay, but the shortcomings in the projection are quite obvious. Kuminga's rebounding and defense are also average. Kuminga wants to be a star, and he doesn't see himself as a blue-collar player.
In comparison, Smith Jr. averaged 8.6 rebounds in 30 minutes per game, shot 38.3% from three-point range, and ranked 78th in the league in defensive efficiency. Ethan averaged 7 rebounds in 22 minutes per game, shooting 36% from three-point range, and ranked first in the league in defensive efficiency.
Dillon and Tate are Udoka's trusted defensive giants, Kuminga can't start with the Rockets, and Whitmore has the same potential off the bench with a four-year rookie bonus.
Houston media revealed that Stone wants to continue to develop Jalen Green, and he is not expected to have a big trade just a minor fix. The Houston media also analyzed the Rockets' trade partners, and the rival Warriors were not among them.
Udoka has previously publicly stated that he will not let Jalen Green play off the bench, and the attitude has been clear. Udoka, who was born in the Spurs department, believes in strict teachers and high apprentices, and he is quite strict with Green. Green has been tied up for a while, and it's a good sign that they've regained their confidence in the last five games.