Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2023-24 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the growth of Houston’s top prospects, such as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.; potential transactions in 2024 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2023-24 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the growth of Houston’s top prospects, such as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.; potential transactions in 2024 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
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Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2023-24 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the growth of Houston’s top prospects, such as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.; potential transactions in 2024 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2023-24 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the growth of Houston’s top prospects, such as Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.; potential transactions in 2024 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
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The streak continues! The Rockets (36-35) are back above .500 for the first time since early January, and they’ve won nine straight games for the first time in over five years. Their 11-1 record in March leads the NBA, and they’re only a game back of Golden State (37-34) in the Western Conference play-in tournament race. The Warriors play at Houston next Thursday, April 4.
So, how did the Rockets dramatically turn this season around? Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break it all down in Wednesday’s podcast, including what Ime Udoka and Jalen Green are doing right and keys to success during a challenging schedule over the next week.
The Rockets (32-35) are 7-1 in March with a five-game winning streak, and Jalen Green is the https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-twitter-reacts-as-jalen-green-earns-nbas-top-weekly-honor/. With those recent wins, Houston’s hopes of a play-in tournament push in the West are suddenly very much alive.
Where did things turn, and what does it mean in the big picture? Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break it all down in Tuesday’s episode, which also features insight on Amen Thompson’s promotion to the starting lineup and areas for further growth within the team.
Alperen Sengun’s 2023-24 season could be over after a leg injury, but it looks like there https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/rockets-relieved-as-alperen-sengun-escapes-major-leg-injury/ on his future. Monday’s abbreviated show explores the long-term significance of that news, as well as short-term lineup changes due to Sengun’s absence and whether the Rockets can sustain their encouraging play of late (https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/takeaways-fred-vanvleet-outduels-kings-as-rockets-move-to-4-1-in-march/).
Tuesday’s episode breaks down the good and bad of Houston’s 2-4 stretch out of the All-Star break, which culminated with https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/04/with-latest-surge-jalen-green-turns-heads-in-houston-and-beyond/ during Saturday’s win in Phoenix. In particular, Paulo and Ben explore Ime Udoka’s new emphasis on 3-point volume and the unfortunate news of Tari Eason (left tibia surgery) https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/03/02/tari-eason-to-undergo-leg-surgery-miss-remainder-of-season-for-rockets/.
In addition, with the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers headed to Houston for Wednesday’s nationally televised game, this episode revisits the 2023 offseason and whether Fred VanVleet over James Harden remains the correct choice for the Rockets.
After hinting at a potential change to Houston’s starting lineup, head coach Ime Udoka announced at Wednesday’s practice https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/21/after-further-review-ime-udoka-opts-against-changing-houstons-starting-lineup/ for the time being.
What does that say about the future of Jalen Green, who has been Houston’s most inconsistent starter? Thursday’s show explores that angle and more, including what the return of Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore can do as Houston enters a tough scheduling stretch out of the All-Star break.
The Rockets (24-30) enter the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break with five losses in six games, and head coach Ime Udoka https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/14/ime-udoka-hints-at-potential-lineup-rotation-changes-for-rockets/ to his lineup and rotation.
What could those be, and will it be worthwhile? Friday’s podcast explores the possibilities, including the pros and cons of potentially starting Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore over Jalen Green — assuming Fred VanVleet https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/02/06/rockets-coach-ime-udoka-expects-fred-vanvleet-adductor-strain-to-miss-about-a-week/ at point guard.
After an underwhelming start to the 2023-24 season, third-year guard Jalen Green https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/takeaways-jalen-green-continues-30-point-scoring-binge-as-pelicans-clip-rockets/, averaging nearly 30 points per game on outstanding efficiency over Houston’s last five games.
So, is it sustainable, and does it change how the Rockets approach the remainder of the season and the NBA’s February 8 deadline for in-season trades? Friday’s show explores those angles and more, including the https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/rockets-trade-second-round-draft-assets-to-memphis-for-steven-adams/; rumors of a potential deal https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/2024/01/31/report-brooklyn-rebuffed-houstons-mikal-bridges-trade-inquiry/; and news that Alperen Sengun will https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/reaction-alperen-sengun-misses-out-on-2024-nba-all-star-honors/
After Wednesday’s heartbreaking overtime loss at home to Portland, the Rockets are just 3-8 in their last 11 games. Is it time to reset expectations after a rough January?
Friday’s show explores a new sobering reality in Houston, where the Rockets have consistently played below average on both ends of the court since losing Tari Eason to injury. Fortunately, the discussion does find one silver lining in the form of the Nets, who are 2-12 in their last 14 games https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nba-mock-drafts-januarys-first-round-projections-for-rockets/ in the 2024 NBA draft.
As for the Rockets, with a road back-to-back looming in Charlotte and Brooklyn, Ben and Paulo explore where things are going wrong and what changes could help spark short-term turnaround. They also debate the curious case of Eason’s leg injury and whether the team erred in judgment with its treatment plan earlier this season.
Friday’s show explores what’s next for the Rockets after a 1-5 road trip that dropped Houston (19-21) outside of the Western Conference play-in tournament field, as things currently stand.
Topics include reasons not to be concerned about the squad’s recent defensive downturn — and conversely, why Houston’s season-long struggles on offense are more troubling.
The show also explores areas of potential growth and improvement, including the feasibility of changing Jalen Green’s spot in the starting lineup and how the Feb. 8 trade deadline could improve things.
Friday’s show reacts to a https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/lists/takeaways-alperen-senguns-heroics-for-naught-as-bulls-edge-rockets-late/ and shares some lessons learned for upcoming games. Topics include the importance of running late-game offense through Alperen Sengun; missed opportunities for Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore; the impact of the Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason injuries; and more.