Tag: Locked on Rockets

Podcasts: Reaction to release of 2024-25 Rockets, NBA schedule

The latest episodes of The Lager Line and Locked on Rockets have insight and analysis on Houston’s newly released 2024-25 season schedule.

Thursday’s new episodes of The Lager Line (sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing) and Locked on Rockets have insight and analysis on Houston’s newly released 2024-25 season schedule.

With commentary by Ben DuBose, Jackson Gatlin, and Paulo Alves, both podcasts explore key takeaways from the schedule release.

From a Houston perspective, discussion topics include:

  • A manageable start to the 2024-25 schedule, with 11 home games out of Houston’s first 18 contests and only three contending opponents in its first 11 games;
  • What appears to be a more challenging second half of the season, with a stretch of 13 of 17 road games in early 2025 and a difficult closing stretch in March and April;
  • Potential February 2025 trade deadline considerations, in the event of a slower-than-expected start to the season;
  • Expectations for the Rockets at the Emirates NBA Cup 2024, i.e. the second year of the NBA’s new in-season tournament;
  • Initial predictions for the Houston’s 2024-25 season record, which comes in the aftermath of a 41-41 campaign with the largest annual wins increase (19) of all NBA teams.

Both episodes can be listened to below, or through all major podcast distributors under The Lager Line and Locked on Rockets.

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Locked on Rockets: Reviewing Amen Thompson’s promising rookie season

Amen Thompson isn’t an NBA point guard just yet, but he still had a very successful rookie season in Houston. Today’s Locked on Rockets breaks it down.

With limitations as a long-range shooter and as a ballhandler, Amen Thompson isn’t yet the point guard that many Houston fans expected after being drafted at No. 4 overall in the 2023 first round. He also missed 20 games due to injury, largely ankle sprains.

However, Thompson flourished as a versatile defender and an off-ball threat, and the athletic 6-foot-7 prospect was an essential part of an 11-game winning streak by the Rockets in March.

With that in mind, Thompson’s 2023-24 season was largely a success, and it could soon lead to him earning a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie first team, which will be announced in the coming days.

In this newly released podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose review the rookie’s many highs and a few lows — leading to final grades of A and B-plus, respectively.

Wednesday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Castbox and virtually all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube (see embed below).

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Locked on Rockets: Reviewing Tari Eason’s elite but shortened sophomore season

Today’s Locked on Rockets podcast breaks down an elite season — but also a shortened one — for second-year forward Tari Eason.

Second-year forward Tari Eason was brilliant when he played for the 2023-24 Rockets. On a per-game basis, his numbers grew in average points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks relative to his rookie season, and he shot better from the field and from 3-point range.

Overall, Houston was an astonishing +10.7 per 100 possessions with Eason on the floor. Better yet, he showed much more versatility than his rookie season — as evidenced by head coach Ime Udoka comparing Eason to a “young Kawhi Leonard” and occasionally using him to finish games in place of Jalen Green at shooting guard.

In short, Eason flashed elite potential as a defender and rebounder while also making clear progress on the offensive end.

Yet, after playing in all 82 regular-season games as a rookie, Eason only played in 22 as a sophomore due to ongoing issues with his leg that traced back to a stress reaction suffered in the preseason.

In a newly released podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose review the highs and lows of Eason’s season, including an explanation of their “incomplete” grade.

Wednesday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Castbox and virtually all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube (see embed below).

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Podcast: Grading Jalen Green’s third season with the Houston Rockets

Are Jalen Green’s strong numbers in the second half of the 2023-24 season a sign of what’s to come? Today’s Locked on Rockets podcast explores.

In his third NBA season, Jalen Green got off to a slow start for the 2023-24 Houston Rockets. But he had an electric finish.

Over his last 40 games, Green averaged 22.3 points (44.4% FG, 34.2% on 3-pointers), 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. His true-shooting percentage was 56%, and the Rockets were plus-2.1 as a team with Green on the court. Houston went 21-19 in those games, which would be good for a 43-win pace over a full season.

In a newly released podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose review the highs and lows of Green’s season, along with initial thoughts on a pivotal offseason ahead (including factors to consider related to a potential contract extension or trade).

Thursday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Castbox and virtually all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube (see embed below).

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VIDEOS: All player, staff interviews at 2023 Rockets media day in Houston

Courtesy of Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) of @LockedOnRockets, here are all of Monday’s #Rockets media day interviews from Toyota Center.

HOUSTON — To officially launch team activities for the 2023-24 NBA season, the Rockets hosted their annual media day on Monday, Oct. 2, inside their home arena of Toyota Center.

Each year, media day for NBA teams consists of press conference interviews with each team’s general manager, head coach and numerous players regarding their outlook for the new season.

For the 2023-24 Rockets, this was the first media availability with four recent offseason signings (Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale and Jeff Green). It also marked the first time general manager Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka took questions from reporters since Kevin Porter Jr.’s arrest.

Courtesy of Jackson Gatlin of Locked on Rockets (YouTube channel), here’s complete video (in sequential order, based on the time of each interview) from Monday’s interview sessions.

On Tuesday, training camp opens at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The preseason begins Tuesday, Oct. 10, with a home game versus Indiana.

Podcast: Exploring Houston’s free agency targets beyond James Harden

Today’s @LockedOnRockets explores options beyond James Harden in free agency, including Toronto’s Fred VanVleet, Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez, and Dillon Brooks of Memphis. #Rockets

In Wednesday’s “Locked On Rockets” podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose offer their immediate reaction and key takeaways pertaining to the latest NBA rumors surrounding Houston’s 2023 free agency plans and potential targets.

If a long-rumored James Harden reunion doesn’t happen, is Toronto’s Fred VanVleet a reasonable backup plan? What about Milwaukee big man Brook Lopez, or Memphis wing Dillon Brooks? All have been rumored in recent days as potential options for the Rockets.

Finally, with new reports suggesting Harden is torn between the Rockets and returning to his current team, the Philadelphia 76ers, does that mean momentum is finally trending away from Houston? Gatlin and DuBose argue that it might be related to finances, with Harden perhaps not receiving his desired contract offers.

Wednesday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and nearly all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube (see embed below).

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Podcast: What Nick Nurse joining 76ers could mean for James Harden, Rockets

Today’s @LockedOnRockets explores what the arrival of Nick Nurse in Philadelphia could mean for a potential #Rockets pursuit of likely free agent James Harden.

Doc Rivers is out as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, and Nick Nurse is in following a successful run leading the Toronto Raptors. So, what does that potentially mean for the Houston Rockets and their long-rumored offseason pursuit of James Harden?

In the latest “Locked on Rockets” podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose explore key takeaways from a Houston perspective. As part of the discussion, they explain why the arrival of Nurse — as opposed to, say, former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, who was also a candidate after working well with Harden in Houston — certainly can’t hurt the odds of a reunion.

Beyond Harden topics, the show explores reports linking the Rockets to Amen Thompson in the 2023 NBA draft, along with insight on why it makes sense for Houston to acknowledge that interest.

Today’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and nearly all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched in its entirety on YouTube below.

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Podcast: Can Rockets prioritize both development and draft needs?

Can Houston balance prospect development with its 2023 draft needs? Today’s @LockedOnRockets breaks it down, along with insight on Jalen Green’s growth. #Rockets

In four games since returning from injury, second-year Rockets guard Jalen Green is shooting nearly 48% overall and better than 45% on 3-pointers while turning the ball over only 1.3 times per game.

Meanwhile, Houston is 2-1 since getting injured backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. back in the lineup, and he’s coming off a season-high 13 assists in Sunday’s blowout of San Antonio.

Yet, because of that success, Houston entered Tuesday without the pole position in the 2023 NBA draft race for the first time in weeks.

How should Rockets fans feel about that? In Tuesday’s “Locked on Rockets” podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose explore the fascinating juxtaposition of improved play by Houston’s top prospects potentially harming its draft outlook.

The show also breaks down how Green has improved his play since returning on Feb. 28 from a groin strain, along with insight on how the weaker supporting cast of the 2022-23 Rockets could be responsible for some of his lagging efficiency numbers this season.

Tuesday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher and nearly all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube below.

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Podcast: Entering offseason, how concerned should Rockets be about their culture?

In today’s podcast, @LockedOnRockets offers reaction to ESPN’s harsh comments regarding Houston and its culture. How can the #Rockets improve things? Let’s discuss.

For a third consecutive season, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets (13-47) own the NBA’s worst record, and the prolonged stretches of losing aren’t always easy to take behind the scenes.

“When you talk to people around the NBA about Houston, you just don’t hear good things about their culture, about their locker room,” ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony said on a recent podcast with Zach Lowe. “People that are on that team, they’re like, ‘We are a mess.’”

In addition to making a coaching change, Givony said Kevin Porter Jr. was a player he would cut, presumably for off-court reasons.

On The Tony Kornheiser Show, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst added:

I think Houston is a dangerous fit for anybody, because that team is out of control. They have have completely destroyed and broken down (head coach) Stephen Silas, who is a good man but cannot handle the renegade operation that has become. Pretty much everything the Rockets do is a mess right now, so if I were Victor (Wembanyama), I would be a little bit worried about Houston.

With a pivotal 2023 offseason approaching in which the Rockets will have up to $60 million in salary cap space, what does the franchise need to do to restore its reputation and appeal to free agents?

Hosted by credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose, Tuesday’s “Locked on Rockets” explores that topic and more, including how the potential return of James Harden could help.

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Podcast: Should the Rockets run more offense through Alperen Sengun?

Houston’s struggling offense improved versus Dallas with the return of Alperen Sengun, and today’s @LockedOnRockets explores whether that trend should hold moving forward.

With Monday’s loss to Dallas, the young Houston Rockets (10-27) have lost nine of their last 10 games. After ranking No. 17 in net offensive rating among the NBA’s 30 teams in November, they’ve ranked dead last (No. 30) since and are 29th for the full season.

Yet, after the team bottomed out with only 88 points (and 53 in the final three quarters combined) in Saturday’s loss to the Knicks, second-year big man Alperen Sengun returned to the lineup Monday and led a resurgence of sorts — both as a scorer and facilitator in Houston’s narrow defeat to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.

With that in mind, should Houston run more offense via Sengun as the 2022-23 season nears its midpoint? Hosted by credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose, Tuesday’s “Locked on Rockets” explores that topic and much more, including New Year’s resolutions for the team and fallout from Eric Gordon’s controversial comments after that New Year’s Eve loss to New York.

Tuesday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, and nearly all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube below.

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