Paulo Alves

I don't think it's as simple as saying, well, here are the advanced numbers that Josh Akogi has put up, and this is what you can expect if you put him into the current version of the Houston Rockets.

Like, it's not that he's done anything catastrophically wrong.

Like, he's certainly an option, but I just think he's getting a little bit squeezed because as of late, the Rockets...

You know, they need to be closer to parity on three-point volume.

The defense just isn't good enough to grind out wins otherwise.

And so I think in terms of the guard options, Aaron Holiday provides something, especially if you're starting Reed, and so you're not going super small playing two backup guards in Reed and Aaron, then...

Relative to Josh, the ability to put up more threes, that's appealing.

And then the forward spots, Tate and DFS just play with a lot more physicality.

I know Josh has the seven foot wingspan, but you do have more physicality with Tate and DFS, a better ability to bang down low.

And I think that's something that appeals to Ime Udoka.

So,

I'm actually thinking, as of right now, that Holiday and Tate both would play if the playoffs started today.

However, the margins are close enough that if Tate doesn't sustain his level of play, we'll see what happens tonight against the Knicks.

That was a matchup where I thought he started off playing well, but then he sprained his MCL that game right after the All-Star break when Carl Anthony Towns rolled up on him.

We'll see how he plays under the bright lights, and we'll see how, you know, E-May has mentioned giving more opportunities to Josh and DFS, and so...

I would say right now, I do think it would be Tate, but the margin is close enough there that I think it's subject to change.

And then, you know, Reid versus Tari, I do think the one pushback I'll give you, Paolo, I do think that over the last three games, Tari has been better relative to before the change.

Like, these last three games have been really positive for him.

However, I don't think that...

It's a situation where he has to stay in that six-man role to get that version.