Month: October 2024

Rockets Visit Mavericks for a Halloween Showdown

The Closers.    Toughest Task.    Tricks and Treats.

 

In a Halloween affair, the Rockets visit Dallas to close their Texas road trip, facing the Mavericks on Thursday night. Houston is 2-2 so far this season, and the squad is coming off of two days of rest. Dallas is 3-1, and the reigning Western Conference champions look ready to defend their crown this season. The Mavs added sharpshooter Klay Thompson in the offseason, and so far he’s been a good fit with Dallas. Thompson’s always played well against the Rockets. Don’t be surprised if he has his best game of the season so far tonight. Houston’s perimeter defense will be the key to whether they win or lose this matchup. A victory tonight would be a huge boost in confidence for this young Rockets team. 

Dallas is by far the toughest team Houston has yet to face this season. The Mavs are a threat to win the West again this year, and could be a potentially even deeper team with the addition of Thompson. The obvious suspects Houston will need to contain on defense will be the NBA’s best offensive duo, in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Both players are capable of scoring 50 points any given night. The Rockets need to prevent this from happening, and keep their scoring in the 20’s. P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, midseason acquisitions for Dallas last season, could quietly be spoilers tonight if Houston doesn’t win the hustle battle with this pair. Both players know their roles and fill out the Mavs starting lineup nicely. Derrick Lively II comes off the bench for Dallas as their Sixth Man, and also poses plenty of big problems. The Rockets need a vintage Alperen Sengun performance tonight if they want any chance of pulling of the upset over the Mavs.

Dallas is coming off an impressive road win over the Timberwolves in Minnesota. The Mavs’ lone loss came in Phoenix against a star-studded Suns team. Expect plenty of tricks and treats in tonight’s game, one that features plenty of stars in their own right. Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun. At least three of those guys are future hall of famers, and if hopefully the other two will evolve into that realm for Houston’s sake. On a random note, tonight is the first time the Rockets will wear a jersey other than the Red Icon jersey they’ve worn over the first four games this season. Will tonight’s white jersey bring upset success for a young Houston squad? Can Sengun bust out of his recent offensive slump? Will Green rise to the occasion, and outplay Dallas’ deadly duo on the perimeter? This Halloween should provide the answers as some of the league’s scariest talent prepares to square off in Texas.

 

American Airlines Center:  Dallas, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (2-2):  White

Dallas Mavericks (3-1):  Blue

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Survive in San Antonio, Beat Spurs, 106-101, for First Road Win

March in October.    Big Impact.    Unevenly Even.

The Spurs really wanted to win this game, and pull off what would’ve been an amazing comeback over the Rockets on Monday night. But Jalen Green didn’t care about San Antonio’s intentions, as he scored a season-high 36 points, leading Houston to a 106-101 win over their I-10 rivals. The Rockets led by as many as 21 points in the second quarter, but San Antonio stormed back to get within two points in clutch time near the end of the game. Houston fended off a furious Spurs’ rally, and survived to earn their first road win of the season.

Green was sensational, carrying a Rockets team that didn’t get much production offensively, with only three other players reaching double figures in scoring. He shot 11-for-22 from the floor, but most importantly, given that Green attempts so many three pointers, he was lethal from distance in this victory. Green hit 7 of his 13 shots from deep, including a stretch near the end of the first half where he made three in a row on consecutive possessions. It’s only a four game sample, but watching Jalen Green feels witnessing a superstar in the making. In the past couple seasons, Green had slow starts, and finished strong in March near the end of the season. This year, it’s March in October for Jalen Green, as he’s taken his game to another level to start the season. Never a defensive stalwart, Green’s improvement on defense has been noticeable through the first four games. With stupid trade rumors involving over-the-hill Jimmy Butler, the Rockets need to focus on building the best team possible around their budding superstar guard. Green’s finally found a system with coach Ime Udoka that fits his game, and it seems to be clicking in their second year together.

Alperen Sengun scored 12 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. The big man’s still struggling to regain his All-Star form from last year. But he has plenty of time, with 78 games left to play in the regular season. Steven Adams played only 14 minutes, but his impact was already felt in his brief playing time. A sequence occurred during the third quarter where he literally picked up Keldon Johnson off the ground like a toddler, after both players were battling for a loose ball. The Aussie veteran center is arguably the toughest player in the entire NBA. This is the guy who was always told as a child to never lose his cool because people could die. Expect Adams to be a key part of Houston’s success this season. Improving over the first game in San Antonio, Jabari Smith Jr. scored 17 points and snagged 8 boards in the Rockets win. Fred VanVleet also added 9 assists and 11 points, which included hitting the biggest shot of the game, a three-pointer that extended Houston’s lead from 2 to 5 points in the final minute. He also checked the Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan for the disrespectful comments he said about Houston a few days prior to their matchup. FVV is the leader this young Rockets team needs, and they’re lucky to have him.

No one’s really noticing or discussing Green’s early play, or the Rockets yet in national sports cycles. Granted, he still has much to prove, as we’re very early on in the season. And with a record of 2-2, Houston has been very unevenly even this season. despite two wins, the Rockets have failed to string four solid quarters together in a single game. It’s a brief sample size, but so far, Houston either almost blows a game they should win easily, or they lose by a narrow margin after digging themselves an early hole. The Rockets losses have come by a mere five and two points. And both games, one could argue, could’ve easily gone Houston’s way. The squad needs to play four quarters of solid ball, and get a win that doesn’t over stress the roster, leading to fatigue and unnecessary minutes. The key for the Rockets’ success is still Jalen Green. So far through four games, Green is tied with Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo for the most points scored in the entire NBA. If Green figures it out, and reaches his potential, the question will be, “How does one guard a player of his caliber?” Jalen Green doesn’t care… but the rest of the league should.

Rockets Seek Revenge, Face Spurs in Rematch

Battle at the Alamo: Part 2.    Searching for Sengun.    Early Must-Win?

 

It’s time for a rematch. The Rockets square-off against the Spurs once again in the Alamo City, this time seeking a win on Monday night. Houston is coming off a close loss, 109-106, to these Spurs, that featured a valiant rally that fell short. It’s hard to beat the same team in a row twice in the NBA, and the Rockets will try to prove that point by exacting revenge in San Antonio. Houston scored only 41 points in the first half on Saturday, including an unfathomable 10 points in the second quarter. The Rockets need to jump out of the gate on Monday night, and attack the basket if any shooting slumps or droughts seem to be on the cusp of arrival. Houston finally found the rim in the fourth period, scoring 37 points in the quarter, but it was still too late, as their comeback attempt fell short.

Jalen Green is coming off a 29 point performance, and his aggressive play has led the Rockets in these early three games. After being benched by Head Coach Ime Udoka in the fourth quarter of last game, Alperen Sengun is aiming to bounce back from one of the worst game’s of his young career. Sengun finished with 6 points and 5 points in only 22 minutes of action. Coach Udoka said he didn’t think Al-P was exerting the necessary effort to earn playing time. Expect Sengun to have a monster performance in tonight’s matchup. The Rockets are relying on a big game from their center if they want to garner their first road win, and improve to 2-2 on the season. Houston will need to try and contain Victor Wembanyama, who scored 29 points in the previous game. The Rockets also need to do a better defensive job on Jeremy Sochan, who finished with 17 points and 12 boards in Houston’s loss to the Spurs on Saturday night. Former Rockets player Chris Paul finished with 9 assists in the previous matchup, a revenge game of sorts for CP3. If the Rockets prevent the Point God from dishing out double figure dimes, Houston should win their first road game.

Tonight’s tilt is the second road game of the season for the Rockets, who finished with a 14-27 record away from home last year. It’s still very early on into a very long season, but if Houston wants to keep their eyes on the playoffs this year, a slow start will only make that goal more difficult. After tonight’s matchup, the Rockets face the reigning Western Conference Champion Mavericks in Dallas on Thursday night. The squad needs to play with a sense of urgency from the opening tip this time around in the Alamo City. Otherwise Houston could be on the verge of a 1-4 start. Hopefully a strong fourth quarter from the previous game carries over and results in a rematch win for the Rockets… as they face the Spurs for the final time in San Antonio this season.

 

Frost Bank Center: San Antonio, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (1-2):  Red

San Antonio Spurs (1-1):  Black

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Comeback Falls Short in 109-106 Loss to Spurs

Digging from a Drought.    Green Lining.    Rivalry Renewed.

 

Maybe the I-10 Rivalry is back, potentially. Despite the result, this turned out to be quite the entertaining basketball game. It didn’t appear that way in the second quarter, as Houston endured one of the worst droughts in the franchise’s history. The Rockets scored only 10 points in the second frame, and saw seven point deficit grow to as many as 22 points. Trailing by 19 points entering the final period, Houston stormed back in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell short, losing in San Antonio to the Spurs, 109-106, on Saturday night. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points, and Jeremy Sochan added 17 points and 12 rebounds as San Antonio fended off a valiant Houston rally. Ex-Rocket and aging veteran Chris Paul chipped in 9 assists in his first home game as a San Antonio Spur. The Rockets played well enough to beat the Spurs in the first of two straight games in San Antonio for Houston. They just dug themselves a second-quarter hole they failed to dig out from. Expect the Rockets to avoid a dismal 10-point period in the rematch on Monday.

Jalen Green continued his solid play to start the season. Green led the Rockets with 29 points, while also contributing 6 boards and 5 assists. Fred VanVleet scored 18 points and dished out 7 dimes, and Dillon Brooks had another strong outing, scoring 16 points on the evening. Alperen Sengun had one of the worst games of his entire career. The young center finished with only 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in a mere 22 minutes as he was benched in the fourth quarter by Head Coach Ime Udoka. Last season Sengun displayed dominant performances against the Spurs. Expect to see that version of Al-P in the rematch on Monday night.

If there’s a silver lining to be had from tonight’s loss, it’s the fact Jalen Green seems to be on the verge of a breakout season. Green was 10-for-22 in his latest performance, and only committed two turnovers. He still needs to work on his three-point shot, but if he develops a shot from distance, Green could become one of the league’s best offensive threats. We’re only three games into a long season, but the young guard is already is playing with more patience this year, resulting in more efficiency and consistency. If Green evolves into an All-Star caliber player, and Sengun improves upon his All-Star worthy campaign last year, the Rockets will be a hard group to beat this season.

Houston will look to bounce back against these same Spurs in the same building on Monday night. The Rockets struggled on the road last season, and went 3-1 against San Antonio in the previous year. If Sengun can show up, Houston should be able to win the rematch and earn their first road win of the season on Monday night. After a spicy, chippy, and heated endeavor in Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, it’s  possible that the I-10 Rivalry may be finally renewed.

Rockets Head to San Antonio, Face Spurs in First Road Game

Battle of the Alamo: Part 1.    Texas Trip.    Fighting Fatigue.

 

Houston embarks on their first road trip on Saturday night as they travel to the Alamo City to face the San Antonio Spurs. Tonight’s matchup is the first of two straight games in San Antonio for the Rockets. These squads will square off again on Monday night for a rematch back in Frost Bank Center. Houston needs to prepare to get familiar with this San Antonio squad, as the Rockets face the Spurs three times over their next six games. Tonight’s contest is also the first of three straight Texas road games for Houston, who will travel to Dallas on Thursday night to meet the Mavericks for a Halloween clash.

The Rockets are coming off their first win of the season, a 128-108 victory over the Grizzlies on Friday night. The Spurs lost their opening game in Dallas to the Mavericks, 120-109, and will be aiming to bounce back tonight, in their home opener. San Antonio acquired veteran guard and former Rocket Chris Paul in the offseason. CP3 will be instrumental for San Antonion in guiding the development of their newest draft pick, UConn’s Stephon Castle, as well as the continued evolution of a sophomore phenom known as Victor Wembanyama, or “Wemby.” In their opener, Jeremy Sochan and Julian Champagnie led the Spurs, scoring 18 points apiece. Wemby added 17 points and 9 rebounds, and veteran Harrison Barnes contributed 17 points for a rebuilding Spurs team.

Houston is aiming to fight tired legs tonight. This matchup is the third game in three nights for the Rockets. The Spurs have had a night off after last playing on Thursday night. It’s still early in the season, and this young Houston squad shouldn’t be too tired. The Rockets are also trying to improve as a team on the road this year, after winning only 14 games away from home last season. It’s hard to beat the same team twice in a row, especially on the road, but Houston has a solid chance coming off a solid win last night. San Antonio will be fired up for their home opener, and they beat the Rockets in an overtime thriller early last year, in what was the second game of the season for each team. Houston gets their first chance to show their “Road Warrior” mentality, as the road portion of their schedule begins on Saturday night. 

 

Frost Bank Center:  San Antonio, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (1-1):  Red

San Antonio Spurs (0-1):  White

 

Tip-Off:  7:30 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Claw Back to Maul Grizzlies, 128-108, for Season’s First Win

Flipping the Script.    Evolving Duo.    First Trip.

 

Staring a six point deficit in the face at halftime, the Rockets eagerly hoped to avoid a second straight loss at home to start the season. Seeking to avoid this conundrum, Houston bursted out of the gates in the third quarter, outscoring Memphis by 21 points in the frame, en route to a 128-108 win on Friday night. The victory is Houston’s first of the season after a disappointing 110-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets in their first game. After collapsing against Charlotte, the Rockets rallied from 12 points down to defeat the Grizzlies for their first home win of the season. Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. bounced back with solid games after poor performances in the opener. Smith Jr. scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Brooks added 18 points against his former team, as Houston improved to 4-1 against Memphis after aquiring Dillon Brooks from the Grizzlies. 

Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun are already beginning to show signs of the All-Star duo many fans are anticipating to see on the court. Green led the Rockets with 22 points, and Sengun added 16 points and 15 rebounds. Green finished the game shooting 8-for-21 from the field, but improved his shot from distance. After struggling with a 5-for-15 performance from beyond the arc on Opening Night, Green settled in for a calmer and more efficent 4-for-8 shooting display from distance against the Grizz. Houston held Memphis star Ja Morant to an average 24 points, as the Rockets were more tenacious defensively overall on Friday night.

Houston will now travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs in the first of two straight games in the Alamo City, before capping off the trip with a visit to Dallas to play the Mavericks . It’s the first road trip of the year for the Rockets, as the squad looks to improve upon last season’s 14-27 record away from Toyota Center. The Spurs are coming off an opening night loss to the Mavericks, 120-109, and San Antonio is still in rebuilding mode despite showcasing second-year phenom Victor Wembanyama on their roster. The Rockets should have enough firepower to win at least one, if not both of those contests in the Alamo City. The Spurs should improve upon their 22-win campaing last season, but they aren’t expected to make the playoffs this season. Now, with two games in the books, Houston stares into the face of one of last season’s biggest challenges for the squad: playing on the road. 

Rockets Aim to Bounce Back from Opener, Welcome Grizzlies

Hyping Down.    Back at Ja.    Roaring Return.    

 

Jalen Green and the Houston Rockets are back in action Friday night, as they welcome Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies to town. The Rockets are coming off an embarrassing Opening Night loss to the Charlotte Hornets, 110-105, as they blew an 18-point lead in front of the home fans. The Grizzlies beat the Jazz, 126-124, in their opener on the road in Utah on Wednesday night. 

Houston will try to bounce back Friday night, as Dillon Brooks and Steven Adams face their former team. Adams is listed as day-to-day on the injury report, and is questionable for tonight’s matchup. The Rockets could really use the veteran big man as they face a tougher opponent in the Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Since acquiring Brooks from Memphis prior to last season, the Rockets are 3-1 against the Grizz. And after coming off a disappointing 2-point performance on Opening Night, expect Brooks to have a big game against his former team tonight. 

Ja Morant is returning for Memphis after missing the majority of last season, and the young superstar had a solid performance in his first game back, with 22 points and 10 assists. The Rockets defense needs to also be aware of Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, who also had solid performances in Memphis’ first game. Aldama led their team with 27 points, and Bane scored 24 for the Grizz in their opening night win. The trio presents a potential triple threat for Houston’s defense. The Grizzlies also have defensive stalwart, and Univeristy of Texas alum, Marcus Smart, who remains one of the league’s best perimeter defenders. 

If the Rockets can string four quarters of solid basketball together, they’re more than capable of beating the Grizzlies tonight. Look for Jabari Smith Jr. and Dillon Brooks to have bounce-back performances. The pair of starters combined for only 10 points in Houston’s Opening Night loss. For now, it’s time to tone down the hype train, as the Rockets need to put some wins on the board before the discussion of the playoffs arises. Can Houston make a roaring return on Friday night? After this matchup, the squad hits the road for a three game Texas style road trip. Tonight’s contest may be the best chance for this young Houston team to get their first win of the season… expect the squad to be ready for Ja. and company tonight as the Rockets host another tilt at Toyota Center on Friday night.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Memphis Grizzlies (1-0):  Blue

Houston Rockets (0-1):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

Rockets Suffer Stung-ing Collapse in 110-105 Opening Night Loss to Hornets

Double Threat Death.    Tale of Two Halves.    Buzzkill.

 

Well, that was a downer, to say the least. Entering the season full of hype and hope, Houston suffered one of the most embarassing home collapses in franchise history on Opening Night. Midway through the second quarter, the Rockets seemed in control of the game, building their lead up to as many as 18 points. Everything seemed like it was smooth sailing for the sqaud, but somewhere, they took their foot off the pedal. After halftime, the game swung out of Houston’s control. LaMelo Ball led the way for Charlotte with 34 points, as the Hornets buzzed back in the second half to deal the Rockets a disappointing 110-105 Opening Night loss. Tre Mann added 24 points for Charlotte, as he and Ball combined for more than half of the Hornets’ point total. In fact, they were the only pair of players on the Hornets to score more than 10 points. Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points, and Alperen Sengun contributed 25 points, 18 boards, but Houston put on a disappearing act offensively in the second half, scoring only 45 points after the break.

The defeat is disappointing for the Rockets given the Hornets aren’t expected to be a competitive team this year. Houston were also at home, and blew a great opportunity to start the season with a win. If the Rockets could’ve contained Ball and Mann on the defesnive end, Houston would’ve secured the victory. Instead, they fell apart on defense late in the game, and essentially let two players come in and beat them in their own house. An early learning experiment for the Rockets, the squad looks to bounce back as they host the revitalized Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night.

At least Houston got solid games from their two cornerstone players (Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun). Although Green still needs to show improvement shooting the ball, especially from distance. Rookie Reed Sheppard scored 4 points on 2-for-5 shooting in his league debut. The number three overall pick in the draft looked hesistant and nervous in his first NBA game, which isn’t completly unexpected. Look for Sheppard to improve as the season moves on. Houston needs to bury Wednesday’s buzzkill in the past, and move on to the next matchup. Memphis will provide a tougher opponent than Charlotte, but after an embarrassing collapse in their first game, the only direction for the Rockets to move is up.

Rockets Tip-Off Season, Host Hornets on Opening Night

Buzzing Opportunity.    Triple Threat.    Liftoff.

 

The Houston Rockets begin their 58th season in the franchise’s history on Wednesday night, as they host the non buzz-worthy Charlotte Hornets. Houston won both games against Charlotte last season, and the Rockets have a great chance to begin this campaign with a win. The Hornets likely will once again be near the bottom of the standings in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte has a new Head Coach in Charles Lee, who was an assistant on the Boston Celtics’ championship team last season. At 39, Lee is one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA, and could invigorate some newfound passion into a Hornets team has several talented players. Regardless, a loss tonight for Houston would be disappointing, especially at home on Opening Night.

After finishing 3-1 in pre-season action, the Rockets seem poised to improve on their record of 41-41 last year. Expect Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun to make big leaps this season, and jump into the All-Star conversation. The addition of Steven Adams in the offseason could prove to be one of the biggest factors in Houston’s improvement this season. Adams will back-up Sengun, and filling a much needed void in the back-up center department for the team. Houston’s starting lineup remains the same as last season, consisting of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun, in what should be a lethal unit on the floor this year.

Entering tonight’s game, the Rockets need to focus on Charlotte’s triple-threat. Point guard LaMelo Ball is their best player, and when healthy, he’s one of the most lethal offensive threats in the game. Ball is coming off an injury that caused him to miss more than half of last season. Other players Houston’s defense need to zone in on are shooting guard Brandon Miller and the swingman Miles Bridges. Any of those three guys could score 30 points on any given night. If the Rockets can prevent this triple threat from having an explosive night, Houston should start the season with a victory.

The squad’s motto for this season is “Liftoff”, and fans should expect an improvement over last years team. The Rockets finished last season hot, and suffered some crucial extended injuries (Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason). If Houston’s key players in the rotation stay healthy, this team is ready to sneak into the playoffs this season. Expect the second term of the Ime Udoka era to feature more wins, drama and edge-of-your-seat action… as this Rockets team has the potential to create some serious buzz around the league, starting tonight at Toyota Center, with another exciting NBA season under way. 

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Charlotte Hornets (0-0):  White

Houston Rockets (0-0):  Red

 

Tip-Off:  7:00 PM CT

TV:  Space City Home Network,  NBA League Pass

The Take-Off:  Houston Rockets 2024/2025 Season Preview

Ready to Launch.    Perfect Problem.    Extending Belief.   

With Halloween approaching and spooky season in full-effect, the NBA prepares to kick off their 79th campaign full of scarily athletic players showcasing monstrous performances. After immensely improving last year, the Houston Rockets are eager to instill more fear in the league entering this season. Coming off their fourth straight year missing the playoffs, these Rockets aim to snap that skid with higher goals in mind this upcoming campaign. Entering the 58th season in franchise history, expectations for this year’s squad are the highest since the James Harden era, half a decade ago. Houston achieved a win-improvement of 19 games last year, the highest in the NBA, but narrowly missed out on earning a Play-In berth sporting a 41-41 record, resulting in an 11th place finish in the brutal Western Conference.

The starting lineup will once again consist of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. With a full term under their belt with the guidance of Head Coach Ime Udoka, expect this starting unit to display enhanced chemistry on the court this year. As every season brings new players and faces to the organization, this year is no different. The Rockets drafted Reed Sheppard with the third overall pick in the draft this past summer. The sharpshooter from Kentucky has Rookie-of-the-Year potential if he receives enough playing time on a deep Houston roster. Houston also added veteran center Steven Adams, arguably one of the best offensive rebounders and toughest players in the game. The Adams addition is pertinent, as the team’s biggest hole to fill in the offseason was finding a center to back-up Sengun. Other than Sheppard and Adams, expect the usual suspects from last year to thrive in secondary roles this season. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason will likely receive the most minutes off the bench, with Steven Adams, Cam Whitmore and Reed Sheppard rounding out the rest of the rotation for the Rockets. Thompson and Eason, granted they stay healthy, are due for breakout seasons. Whitmore was one of the best per minute players on the roster last season, and if he sees enough action, Slam Whitmore could also be due for a breakout campaign. Filling out the rest of Houston’s roster are Jae’Sean Tate, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, and Jock Landale.

A loaded squad gives Ime Udoka a perfect problem for his bag of tricks. Unlike some teams in the NBA who rely on a few players to do the majority of their production, Houston has a plethora of guys who can be the player of the game on any given night. The Rockets are especially loaded at the shooting guard/small forward position. Starting with Jalen Green, Brooks, and even Jabari Smith Jr., this squad contains an arsenal of guys who can play the swingman role. Not to mention Thompson, Eason, Whitmore, Sheppard, and Tate. That’s eight players fighting for essentially those two positions, although Smith Jr. is more of a power forward. It’ll be interesting to see how coach Udoka uses the weapons in his rotation to start the season. Injuries happen to every team every season, but Houston is prepared if any of their rotational players go down. The depth on this squad is frightening for the rest of the league. However, the Rockets are still a young team with developing players and a lot to prove on the court before the NBA starts taking notice. Besides the veterans consisting of VanVleet, Brooks, and Adams, no one else on Houston’s squad is even close to reaching the prime of their careers. Meaning, the Rockets boost several players who could be on the verge of having breakout seasons. Expect Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore to make huge leaps in their sophomore years. And Jabari Smith Jr. is in line for potentially an All-Star caliber season if he can maintain consistency.

Just a couple of days before the team’s Opening Night game, Houston extended the contracts at the root of this Rockets resurgence: Alperen Sengun, and Jalen Green. Rafael Stone, Houston’s General Manager, locked in these two key pieces for the next several years. Sengun agreed to a 5 year, $185 million extension, and Green signed a deal equalling 3 years totaling $106 million. Both players are entering their fourth season with All-Star expectations on their shoulders. They’ve showed their value, with Sengun a potential All-Star this season after missing out last year. The big man’s put on muscle in the offseason, and is in store for his strongest season yet. The biggest question on the team is Jalen Green and his evolution as we enter this phase of his career. Boasting the biggest ceiling of any player on this team, Green has the ability to be a superstar in this league. Alperen Sengun is Houston’s best player right now, and is already on his way to stardom with the nickname “Mini-Joker”, after Denver’s superstar center Nikola Jokic. If Green can reach the potential that saw him selected second overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, expect the Rockets to take-off, and earn a playoff spot for the first time in five years. As Houston made a hard push for the playoffs near the end of last season, going 13-2 in March, Green exploded to average 27.7 points per game during that period. If he can maintain his offensive consistency this season, expect Jalen Green to finally perform at an All-Star level on a nightly basis.

How far will the Rockets fly this season? With a collection of young talent at the roster’s core, Houston is in position to contend for a while. This season’s nice mixture of up-and-coming players and solid veterans make the Rockets a threat to beat any team on any night, but the team’s youth and needed development realistically keeps the squad from being a championship contender this season. Despite not likely hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy next June, Houston’s fans should have a lot to be excited for this season. The beginning of the team’s schedule is relatively easy, so the squad has a great chance to get off to hot start. The Rockets host the lowly Hornets on Opening Night, following a home game against the Grizzlies and then two road games against the Spurs. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but Houston has a realistic shot to start the season 4-0, or at least 3-1 over their first quartet of matchups. Showcasing one of the most athletic teams in the NBA, the Rockets should be on the verge of making the playoffs, or at least securing a Play-In spot this year. Expect this squad to make enough noise to garner a playoff spot come season’s end. Despite the Western Conference remaining as cutthroat as ever this season.

Besides the reigning Western champion Dallas Mavericks, the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the rising Oklahoma City Thunder are all threats to earn home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, and Memphis Grizzlies will also be in the mix in a brutally competitive Western Conference. In the Eastern Conference, the reigning-champion Boston Celtics will be looking to repeat, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks both made major additions to their rosters, and the Milwaukee Bucks look to bounce back after injuries cut their season short last year. In a league with superstar names a la LeBron James and Kevin Durant and legacy teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, you won’t hear Houston mentioned much among the NBA “water-cooler” talk. But don’t be surprised if that begins to change this season… and the Rockets scare some teams with their frighteningly improved play on the court.