Averaged only 3+5 per game! But you dared to refuse a 100 million contract. Brother, you must regret it. You are not the younger version of Leonard.

At the beginning of the new NBA season, the Rockets unexpectedly fell into a quagmire. Their two consecutive losses at the beginning became the focus of the league. This team, which introduced Durant in the offseason, was supposed to compete for the championship, but the reality far exceeded expectations. Van Jordan's season reimbursement was like a heavy hammer, completely disrupting the Rockets' offensive rhythm. Last season, the team also had Shen Jingfan Jordan's 15 pick-and-roll initiation method. The tactics were monotonous but sufficient. Now, only Shen Jing's card dealing and simple stand-up singles are left, and the offensive end has become rigid. Teams that have yet to win their first game include the Rockets, New Pelicans, Celtics, Pacers and Nets.

Durant's personal performance was impeccable. He averaged 30 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals in the first two games. The data was eye-catching and his effort was beyond doubt. However, the team's Achilles heel is the vacuum at the point guard position. Who would have thought that when Durant moved from the Suns to Houston, he would once again encounter the "no point guard curse"? This seems to be a joke of fate, making it difficult for him to get rid of the lack of core organization no matter which team he is in. What is even more worrying is that the Rockets' "Death Five" lineup is too bulky, lacks mobility, and is easily torn apart by opponents' outside firepower. There were frequent loopholes on the defensive end and a lack of fluidity on the offensive end. Although Durant fought like a lone wolf, he was unable to withstand the collapse of the system.

The Rockets' next five opponents are the Nets, Raptors, Celtics, Mavericks and Grizzlies. Among them, the games against the Nets and Raptors are "must-win games." The strength of these two teams is relatively mediocre. If the Rockets cannot win even this, the prospects for the season will be completely bleak. The team's lineup already lacks an efficient "engine" and it is already difficult to run. If there is no rebound, it may be in deep quagmire. To make matters worse, the performance of young rookie Ethan in the team was disappointing. Since the start of the game, he has been in a hazy state on the court, without any mental clues, as if his soul was out of body.

The Rockets successfully renewed the contracts of Shen Jing, Durant and Smith, but were stuck on Ethan's contract. He rejected the team's $100 million offer in pursuit of a higher salary and more playing rights. However, just two games into the regular season, his performance was self-destructive. He averaged 25 minutes per game, which is not a lot, but he only scored 3.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2.5 turnovers; his shooting percentage was as low as 27.3%, and his three-point shooting percentage was only 20%. Such data not only failed to prove its own value, but also shattered it into pieces. From the analysis of Ethan's opening performance, the Rockets are lucky that they did not spend 100 million US dollars hastily. Even a 5-year, 100 million contract seems unworthy.

As early as the offseason, US media reported that the Rockets may be planning to offer a four-year, partially non-guaranteed contract worth hundreds of millions, which may include attendance incentives. This is a good move - Ethan's physical fitness has always been fragile and he will still miss back-to-back games this season. Health management is questionable, and his performance on both offense and defense is declining. However, he is confident that he will pursue a big contract when he becomes a restricted free agent in 26 years. This is undoubtedly a high-risk gamble. Recently, former NBA player Felton found it difficult to understand Ethan's choice on the "To The Baha" program.

He emphasized: "That's 100 million! Don't ignore the fact that Texas has a tax advantage. Look who just signed a 100 million dollar contract? Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks is an example, but he is the second best defensive player of the year. Who are you Ethan? The Rockets' sincerity is great enough. If he refuses, he will regret it."

Felton's comparison is to the point. Daniels was known for his iron-blooded defense in Atlanta last season. As a third-year student, he averaged 3 steals per game and his entangled defense was suffocating. Not only did he win the league's steals title, he was also selected to the All-Defensive Team. It can be called the first gate on the outside, and the honor is well deserved. In terms of defensive influence, Ethan is far inferior to Daniels, and even Amen Thompson is slightly inferior. Daniels won a four-year, US$100 million contract based on his pure defensive ability; what about Ethan? In what way can he match it? This may be the most lucrative offer opportunity of Ethan's career. He is 24 years old, while Daniels is only 22 years old. They are both in the same rookie class. Why did we once regard Ethan as the "younger version of Leonard"?

All this stems from the similarity in Ethan's physical hardware: height, wingspan, and a pair of big hands, all exactly the same as Leonard. But now Ethan has not yet mastered Leonard's singles skills with the ball. His performance in high-end games on the defensive end is blurred, and his influence is far from up to standard. What's even more ironic is that Ethan actually "inherited" Leonard's "illness" - not playing back to back. Leonard's was caused by old age and injuries. Ethan is only 23 years old, but he has already followed suit. This not only exposes health risks, but also highlights mental issues. The Rockets' initial predicament, on the surface, is a chain reaction of Van Jordan's reimbursement, but on the deeper level, it is a hidden danger in the lineup construction. Although Durant is a superstar, he cannot fill the point guard gap alone. The team's pick-and-roll diversity last season relied on Van Jordan's organizational connection; now, although Shen Jing has the ability to deal cards, it is not enough to support the system.

The cumbersome configuration of the top five of death further amplifies the problem: the inside line is crowded and the outside line is empty. The opponent only needs to open up space and the three-point rain pours down, and they can be easily defeated. Ethan's contract turmoil is another wake-up call. The original intention of rejecting the 100 million offer was to gamble on future performance in exchange for greater returns, but it ended up digging its own grave at the start. With 25 minutes of playing time, he already has the trust of the coaching staff; however, the statistics are dismal, mistakes are frequent, and the shooting touch is cold. This not only affects personal value, but also drags down the team's chemical reaction. The Rockets' contract renewal in the offseason aims to build a core framework; if Ethan continues to slump, he won't be able to wait for other teams to offer high bids next offseason. If the Rockets try to match, no team may offer an offer.