Encountered DNP for the first time, the Rockets signed the wrong 3+4 center and had no chance to play in the Twin Towers. Ethan will be back soon as a substitute.

The addition of Durant has made the Rockets a real championship contending team. This season has been relatively slow, with two consecutive losses at the beginning. Stone's offseason operations have been questioned. In the following 10 games, he won 9 games. Durant showed his superstar strength, hitting 8 of 12 key goals this season. The regular season is not the Rockets' goal, but going further in the playoffs is the goal. The Rockets rose to third place in the Western Conference, but after Ethan was injured, Uduka only used 8 people in the rotation, laying hidden dangers.

None of the players in the Rockets lineup are "iron men." Major players such as Jabari Smith, Amen Thompson, and Ethan suffered injuries to varying degrees last season, resulting in absences from games. The fewer players in the rotation, the greater the probability of injuries. The Rockets now have many players who can play, but Udoka is not used. If VanVleet was not injured, Sheppard would not have so many opportunities this year. Holiday has proven his ability to score in double figures, and the Rockets will lack an opportunity.

In the victory over the Magic, Capela encountered DNP for the first time this season. During the offseason, the Rockets offered him a three-year, $21 million contract. He returned to Houston, but this 31-year-old veteran has long lost his courage. This season, he only played 9.8 minutes per game and got 3.6 rebounds and 4.5 rebounds. His ability to protect the basket inside and win the pie have both declined. Uduka was in the Twin Towers lineup and did not give Capela a chance. This signing did not achieve the expected results.

The first substitute center Adams played too well, which highlighted Capela's current average state. Adams averaged 9.1 rebounds per game, including 5.1 offensive rebounds. He is more suitable to partner with Shen Jing in the paint to ensure a rebound advantage. The Rockets have performed so well this season. In addition to Durant's performance, their rebounding and three-point data are among the best in the league. If Udoka keeps abandoning Capela, then this signing will be wrong, and the three-year contract will be lost.

In the last game against the Magic, the Rockets had a very difficult victory. If the opponent had not missed free throws, the Rockets' winning streak would have come to an abrupt end. Ethan's absence had a much greater impact than expected. Uduka's rotation lineup was configured with one center and two small guards, and there was no forward substitute at all. The defense and rebounding have declined too much. Ethan needs to rest for 4-6 weeks. Another new aid, Finney Smith, will return earlier and can replace Ethan's role and position. At least one more rotation player will be available.

The Rockets are about to usher in a dense schedule and back-to-back games. The team's outside shooting has declined. Thompson and Okogie, the two starting guards, basically have no three-point ability. Finney Smith's shooting ability is only inferior to that of Durant and Shepard among the current Rockets players. Last season, Finney-Smith shot 39.8% from three-point range and was a top 3D striker. After VanVleet was seriously injured, Uduka's tactics focused more on the striker.