Houston Rockets Unveil Historic Tall Starting Lineup for Season Opener

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Rockets are set to make a bold statement in their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder by fielding one of the tallest starting lineups in recent NBA history. With an impressive combined height of 410 inches, the Rockets will feature a lineup that includes Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, and Steven Adams.

This significant height advantage comes in the wake of injuries, notably to Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL before the start of training camp. Despite being short-handed at the guard position, Thompson, at 6 feet 7 inches, will assume point guard duties.

Head coach Ime Udoka confirmed the lineup via social media, noting that each of his starting five players stands at least 6 feet 10 inches tall, with the trio of Durant, Sengun, and Adams all measuring 6 feet 11 inches. This setup not only marks Durant’s unusual transition to starting at shooting guard but also positions the Rockets to capitalize on matchups against smaller defenders, likely boosting their offensive capabilities.

The Rockets’ tall lineup draws comparisons to historic teams, such as the 1998-99 Dallas Mavericks, who fielded a similarly towering roster led by seven-foot tall Shawn Bradley. The Mavericks’ total height back then reached 414 inches.

Analysts expect the Rockets to face challenges in terms of quickness, but early reports indicate that both Thompson and Durant possess considerable agility for their heights. Last season, the Rockets were recognized for their defensive prowess, running an effective Sengun-Adams frontcourt that greatly impacted their performance.

As the Rockets prepare to face Oklahoma City, they aim to leverage this size advantage while adapting to the absence of VanVleet. The matchup presents a promising test for the new lineup amidst doubts about their competitiveness this season.