The Houston Rockets have garnered acclaim this offseason for building one of the NBA’s most versatile rosters, boasting significant wing depth and numerous lineup combinations. However, despite its remarkable success last season, the team’s potent double-big lineup featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams may see limited action.
According to Ben DuBose on “The Lager Line” podcast, the question of the fifth starter could relegate the effective pairing to a situational role. DuBose argues that starting a non-shooter like Adams is too risky, suggesting head coach Ime Udoka will be hesitant to lean on the two-center formation extensively.
The primary concern is floor spacing. While the Sengun-Adams duo posted an exceptional +32.7 net rating in their minutes together, deploying them simultaneously—especially alongside another non-shooter like Amen Thompson—severely restricts the team’s perimeter offense. “A lot of success in the NBA comes down to maximizing your best players,” DuBose noted, pointing out that having three non-shooters on the floor creates significant offensive challenges.
As Houston enters the 2024-25 season, its depth at center and forward is a major strength. The trio of Sengun, Adams, and offseason acquisition Clint Capela provides diverse skills in the paint, while forwards like Kevin Durant, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and Dorian Finney-Smith offer immense lineup flexibility. The team has also bolstered its perimeter attack, with Durant shooting 43% from beyond the arc last year and Finney-Smith shooting 41.1%.
Ultimately, while the double-big lineup has proven to be a powerful weapon, its offensive limitations make it an improbable choice for the starting five. Instead, Coach Udoka is expected to reserve the formidable Sengun-Adams pairing for specific, matchup-dependent scenarios.
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