Jabari's big chance

To learn from the great, Kevin Durant.  What I hope to see, but probably won't see, is Jabari being put into position to *be* Kevin Durant.

What do I mean?

Mainly, don't put Jabari in the starting lineup or generally on the floor with KD much.  He's going to have no option but to stand around and catch and shoot while Alpi and Kevin cook.  (One big exception to this below.). 

Put him on the bench and when Kevin is out, give him the same assignment.  Put him in the high post and see what he can do running the offense.  Pair him with the newly acquired DFS to be his shooter.

As I mentioned in the last post, Kevin will likely miss a bunch of games for injuries and totally sensible rest.  When that happens, drop Jabari back into the starting lineup filling the KD role as best he can.

Not starting Jabari also creates space for the Rockets to start Tari Eason and Amen Thompson.  Tari is still developing but might see an immediate improvement in his already decent three point percentage playing alongside KD.  Having both Tari and Amen on the floor makes life on the defensive end easier for KD and  probably Alpi too.  Is Tari ready for 36 minutes?  Who cares.  Start him and have him play the same 24 if that is what is needed for him to maintain his famous intensity.  Again, you've got DFS too so there are no holes in the front line rotation.

First line:

KD

Tari

Alpi

Amen

FVV

Line change:

Jabari

DFS

Steven (Clint when Steven rests, I guess that is what he is for)

Reed Sheppard (you have to, you just have to)

Aaron Holiday

Since I touched on the option to go super big in the last post, how about the option to go small and all shooting?

The Rockets experimented with Jabari at the five last year.  (It didn't go well.)  But this is a new day.

We need points in a hurry and/or the other team has gone small -

KD

DFS

Jabari

Reed

Aaron