Tari Eason

Ime Udoka doesn't expect Marcus Smart's preseason edge over Reed Sheppard to last into the regular season: the two "complement each other and can play together." Smart, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason are a defensive unit the Rockets coach keeps "in our back pocket."

"I got more offensive responsibility in those lineups." Amen Thompson says his role grows when the Rockets go to second-unit groups with Tari Eason and Marcus Smart, because he trusts those two to handle the defensive matchups.