But as Stevens said, Westbrook and the current Harden, there is still a lot to improve in order to become the Paul and Harden of the Rockets.

It's the same plan he wants to raise Ibaka, there is a goal, but it takes time.

In other words, they can put out the lineup they want to experiment with at certain points in the game, but it won't be the team's regular lineup for a while.

"Westbrook will still be the starter." Tang Tian opened his mouth and said.

Westbrook has a stronger personality and has been a starter in the past, so it is certainly not appropriate to pull it down, and a better way to transition is to let Harden continue to be the sixth man, and wait until he is not a defensive hole, and then mention the starter.

Stevens considered from the tactical level, and Tang Tian also had to consider the atmosphere in the team.

"If Westbrook is the starter, then Kidd has to start with him, Durant and Ibaka at the front, Brown at center." Stevens continued.

"Tactically, the Cavaliers coached by Don are very relevant, using Westbrook's breakthrough and Durant's off-ball blocking forearm defense, looking for point guard opportunities, and getting everyone involved in the offense, rather than relying on stars to play alone."

Stevens said, turning his gaze to Wharton.

"Defensively, I think Luke is right, in addition to improving the player's individual defensive ability, considering the mobility talent of our players, it is very necessary to help defend the package."

Tang Tian raised his head at this time and glanced at the other teaching assistants.

After listening to so much, they also knew that Stevens had goods in his stomach, and they all nodded one after another.

"What Brad said is basically the same as I imagined, but there is one point, we can adjust the lineup according to the opponent, and when we meet the opponent's team with average internal strength, we can consider using the inside combination of Dior and Ibaka, so that we can play Dior's adaptability." Tang Tian added.

This time around, including Stevens, the Nods were all on the spot, and Dior's playmaking proved last season with the Spurs, and he improved the team on both ends of the floor when he started.

Of course, just like Tang Tian said, it depends on the opponent, if you let Dior go to Yao Ming or Howard, then you will really be a little wronged by him.

After discussing the tactics, the next step is to position and develop the players.

Westbrook: He's got a lot of quality, but he has to learn to play more rationally, and now he's established as the tactical core of the team, and it's even more important for him to organise and get his teammates involved in the attack.

In fact, Westbrook in his previous life also played a reasonable performance in the 15~16 season, and was called a "reasonable turtle" by fans, which shows that he has potential in this area, and in his previous life, he only let himself go because of Durant's unexpected departure.

Harden: Harden is still in his formative stages, but he has to learn how to defend, which is key to whether he can be in the starting lineup.

In his previous life, Harden became a "eye defense" player because of an elbow by Artest, and now this incident is likely not to happen, but Harden still does not lose a qualified defender, which is where he must improve.

Durant: Durant is an all-time leading scorer, but he also needs to improve his passing and defense, which will be key to his ability to become a star in James' calibre.

Ibaka: Ibaka wants to build muscle and increase confrontation in the offseason and in the future, which is the key to his future change to the No. 5 position, after all, even if it is a center with a small lineup, the top man and the protection of the restricted area are necessary abilities, of course, the shooting must be connected, and the three-point shot must not be missing.

In his previous life, Serge Ibaka suffered a serious injury in the playoffs, which led to a sharp drop in athleticism and completely lowered his ceiling.

Dio: Dio needs to add weight to play as a centre-forward in the summer, which is key to his ability to start alongside Serge Ibaka in the new season.

PJ Tucker: Tucker also needs to gain weight and muscle, and he also needs to train his three-point shot, and Tang Tian's expectation for him is to be able to swing at the 3/4 position.

Tucker has been at the No. 5 position in his previous life with the Rockets, and he is very adaptable and has a strong style of play, making him a rare high-quality role player.

The other rookies are also cultivated in their own directions, and whether they can squeeze into the rotation lineup depends on their respective performances.

With tactics and training directions, the team's starters and rotations have basically been determined.

Regular starting lineup: Westbrook, Kidd, Durant, Ibaka, Kwame Brown.

Rotation lineup (in order): Harden (sixth man), Dio, PJ Tucker, Soflosa.

Bench players: Middleton, Reggie Jackson, Collisson.

Inactive List: Bazemore, O'Quinn, Cole Aldridge.

Tactics, rotations, all of these are decided, and then it's time for training and development.

Without waiting for the players to spontaneously organize training, when the time was still in early September, Tang Tian issued a training call order to the players in the name of the coaching staff.

This summoning order is not mandatory, but most of the team members, including the four young, basically returned to the team as soon as possible.

Last season's finals led 2-0 and were won 4 games in a row, and the players were somewhat holding their breath in their hearts.

As soon as the players arrived, the Thunder's coaching staff began to develop and train the players as planned.

What's more interesting is that Dior, who indulged himself more in the offseason, directly gained a lap, and at this time the weight gain was free, just train the muscles.

Just after training camp began, the Thunder signed three players on non-guaranteed contracts, forward Deandre Ligins, center Daniel Alton and Walker Russell.

In the first training session, Tang Tian found a more positive scene.

After Westbrook made a mistake on the pass, Kidra guided him from the sidelines.

Westbrook nodded as he listened, his expression serious.

This is what Kidd can hold, and the rest of Westbrook probably won't be able to listen to it.

Durant and Ibaka were also in a good mood, laughing and chatting from time to time during the break.

You can feel that this team has fully recovered from last season's defeat.

The only one who wasn't too emotional, though, was Harden.

Maybe it's because I know that I didn't get into the starting lineup, the fighting spirit on the field is not high, and I am looking around at the end of the break, playing with the not too long beard from time to time, looking a little absent-minded.

By the end of the training session, the players went back to the locker room to take a shower.

Tang Tian called Harden over alone at this time.

Although the two had not been in contact before this, from those memories in his previous life, Tang Tian still knew that Harden was a very strong player.