Rockets must lean on one monster lineup that could save their season

There's been much discussion about who the Houston Rockets will start at point guard. If they want to lean into their identity, they'll go with Amen Thompson.

It won't always be easy. The Rockets will be a championship hopeful, starting a player who's been a wing for two years at arguably the most important position. That's not a traditional solution to the Rockets' problems:

But this isn't a traditional team.

Rockets should lean into size by starting Thompson

The Rockets are set to be one of the biggest teams in NBA history.

One of this team's primary calling cards will be its versatility. The Rockets can run twin-tower lineups, or they can go smaller with Jabari Smith Jr. at the 5. Still, please make no mistake, Udoka's Rockets will seek size advantages where they can find them.

Why not find them from the opening tip?

PG: Amen Thompson

SG: Dorian Finney-Smith

SF: Kevin Durant

PF: Jabari Smith Jr.

C: Alperen Sengun

Quick caveat: You could easily plug Tari Eason into Finney-Smith's spot, either while the veteran is injured or on a long-term basis. There are benefits to bringing Eason off the bench, too, but that's a separate article. Either way, both are 6'8", so the broader point stands: On most nights, this will give the Rockets a size advantage at every position but the 5.

If you put Reed Sheppard at the 1, bench Finney-Smith, and slide Thompson to the 2, you lose another size advantage. Suddenly, the team is small at the 1, and average-ish at the 5. That's not the Rockets' identity:

Why would they deviate from who they are?

Well, it's possible that Thompson just can't run point. That's the development to keep an eye on here. It is worth noting that Sengun can operate as a de facto point guard for long stretches. That's a strong point in favor of benching Sheppard: If Sengun eliminates the need for a traditional point guard, why compromise on size?

Besides, there's another use for Sheppard...

Rockets' Sheppard can fill a crucial role

We talked about Eason coming off the bench. He may be the "sixth man" in the sense of being the bench player with the most minutes, but he can't run the second unit's offense.

That could be a perfect role for Sheppard.

He could still have a big season. If Sheppard can up his minutes per game and be productive running point for the reserves, it will be a meaningful step forward for the sophomore. It could portend a starting role in the future, but for now, the Rockets should do what they do best:

Be bigger than everyone.