Crystal Ballers: A Nudoka Era Begins – Houston Rockets 2023/2024 Season Preview
The New Batch. Prime Position. Liftoff.
“The world is changing, reforming. This is your moment,” a quote from this past summer’s Blockbuster film, Oppenheimer. Those words also accurately describe the situation the Houston Rockets face as they enter the upcoming 2023/2024 NBA season. A lot has changed for this Rockets’ squad, as well as for the NBA overall. The Rockets have a new Head Coach, Ime Udoka, and an array of new players, featuring a mix of veterans sprinkled with a couple of solid draft picks. A new moment begins in Rockets basketball, and Houston has a chance to make serious improvement from what has been a tough past three seasons for the Rockets.
In the NBA, change is happening as well. This is the first season the NBA will have an In-Season Tournament. The tourney lasts from November to early December, with the matchups being counted as regular season games for each team. This season also marks the beginning of the Victor Wembanyama Era, The first overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs is the most hyped NBA prospect since LeBron James, who is entering his 21st season, still playing at an incredible level for someone approaching age 39 in this league. The biggest move of the NBA’s offseason saw the Milwaukee Bucks acquire superstar Damian Lillard from the Portland Trailblazers. Other changes in the league include Chris Paul now playing for the Golden State Warriors, and Bradley Beal joined the Phoenix Suns. Houston had a few changes of their own, that should help cement an easy transition into the second phase of their rebuilding. After finishing the last three seasons with win totals of 17, 20, and 22, the Rockets knew they needed to make a change at the coaching position. And they found a gem of a young coach in Ime Udoka. Houston’s newest coach took the Boston Celtics to the Finals in 2022, and has a reputation for developing young players and getting the most out of his talent. Udoka’s presence should allow Jalen Green to blossom into a potential All-Star as he begins his third NBA season. Look for the Rockets to be a much better defensive and disciplined team. Gone are the days of consistent losses by more than 20 points. Expect Houston to be competitive in most matchups they play this season. Former Head Coach Stephen Silas was a little too easy-going and didn’t command the locker room the way Udoka already seems to have. The pre-season saw the Rockets go 4-1, and although it means nothing when it comes to the regular season, Houston already looks like a much better defensive team. A lot of that has to do with the Rockets’ new batch of players they added to the roster in the offseason.
Beginning with the NBA Draft in June, Houston selected Amen Thompson, from the G-League, with 4th overall pick., The Rockets then snagged arguably the steal of the draft, in Cam Whitmore, from Villanova, with the 20th overall selection. Whitmore was MVP of the NBA Summer League, and has an NBA-ready body physically. The Villanova product appears ready to contribute right away for Houston. As for Amen Thompson, he’s shown flashes of the versatile player can become in the pre-season. Once the season begins, Thompson may have an adjustment period transitioning to the physicality of the NBA. However, under the guidance of Ime Udoka, Thompson is talented enough to show his doubters on the court why he deserved to be selected so high in the draft.
Houston’s biggest offseason acquisition was Fred VanVleet. The Rockets acquired the point guard from the Toronto Raptors, and FVV is the perfect veteran to guide a Houston team with a vast amount of young wing players. Dillon Brooks was also acquired by the Rockets in the offseason, from the Memphis Grizzlies. Brooks has a reputation of being sort of a Detroit Pistons-esque “bad-boy”, but he’s someone who draws comparisons to former Rocket Patrick Beverly: a guy you can’t stand if he’s not if you’re playing against him, but when he’s on your team, you love him. Brooks is one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and should be a pest to opponents on a nightly basis. The Rockets also acquired Jock Landale, from the Phoenix Suns, and Jeff Green, from the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Uncle Jeff has played in Houston before, and his veteran leadership will be key in the locker room, especially coming off a championship with Denver. Reggie Bullock Jr., Aaron Holiday, and Victor Oladipo also joined the Rockets in the offseason as Houston enters a season with a different feeling compared to the past three years.
This feels like the first time in three years that the Rockets have a chance to put a relatively competitive basketball team on the court. With a new Head Coach at the reigns with proven experience, and an array of new talent, the only direction for this Houston squad to head is up. And after being one of the youngest teams in the NBA for the past three seasons, the Rockets average age this season is 25.9, which puts them right outside the top 10 in the league. Houston is in prime position to make a leap in the standings with their combination of savvy veterans and upstart-rookies. Expect the Rockets starting lineup to consist of: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun. Houston has a much deeper rotation this season, and it will be intriguing to witness how new Head Coach Ime Udoka uses this versatile group of players.
Liftoff is the Houston Rockets “motto” or “slogan” this season, and it’s quite appropriate. This young Houston team is ready to liftoff from the bottom cellar of the NBA standings, and contend for a playoff spot this season. With a new coach specializing in improving the development of young players, the Rockets are poised to a least challenge for a Play-In spot this season. After three years of disastrous blowout after blowout, it’s refreshing to enter a new season with genuine hope and promise for the future. It’s important that Houston gets off to a strong start to the season. Three of the Rockets first four games are against teams that finished near the bottom of the standings last season: Orlando, San Antonio, and Charlotte. The other game is Houston’s home opener, which should be a stronger test as they host the Golden State Warriors. Regardless, it’s key Houston takes advantage of this easy portion to start the season. The squad’s goal should be to start the season 3-1, giving this young team confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. It’s a long season with 82 games over the span of several months. But these first four games feel more crucial than a usual four-game span to start a season. The Rockets have a real opportunity to liftoff and show the rest of the league the future is now in Houston… this is their moment.