Tag: The Lager Line

Podcast: Mark Schindler on the progress of Houston’s young core

Is Houston’s young core progressing as it should? Mark Schindler joins us to discuss Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., the role of Stephen Silas, and much more. #Rockets

Wednesday’s episode of “The Lager Line” welcomes national NBA writer Mark Schindler to the show for a roundtable Houston Rockets discussion with hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves.

Though the Rockets are clearly in a rebuilding movement, the 2-12 start — which, entering Wednesday, is the NBA’s worst — has clearly underwhelmed many Houston fans.

One prominent reason for those struggles is Houston’s offense, which ranks in the bottom five of the NBA despite featuring numerous scorers and playmakers. The show explores whether head coach Stephen Silas or point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is more worthy of criticism for the recent performances.

Other discussion topics include growth shown from second-year prospects Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; a slow start by rookie Jabari Smith Jr.; promising signs by reserves KJ Martin and Tari Eason; whether it still makes sense to keep Eric Gordon and more.

Wednesday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Five games in, how can Houston’s offense take the next step?

Through five games, the #Rockets have improved defensively from last season, but the offense seems to have stagnated. Friday’s @TheLagerLine explores potential areas of improvement.

Friday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast features reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the first five games of the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season for the Houston Rockets.

Relative to 2021-22, the young and rebuilding Rockets (1-4) have improved from No. 30 in the league to No. 20 in net defensive rating (entering Thursday’s games), but they’ve stagnated at the No. 26 spot on offense. With that in mind, Friday’s show explores areas of potential improvement for head coach Stephen Silas, point guard Kevin Porter Jr. and shooting guard Jalen Green.

Other topics include the team’s dependence on Eric Gordon and Garrison Mathews as floor-spacing shooters; early impressions of Jabari Smith Jr. playing minutes at center and the impact of a five-out offense on other players; what to do with the rotation when Alperen Sengun (illness) returns; and which second-year guard — Daishen Nix or Josh Christopher — should get Houston’s final rotation spot.

Friday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Will Jalen Green be a winning player? Matt Moore dives in

Will Jalen Green be a winning player for the Rockets? @HPBasketball explains his recent take. Other topics include Kevin Porter Jr.’s contract extension and Alperen Sengun’s bench role.

In Friday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves are joined by The Action Network’s Matt Moore (@HPBasketball on Twitter) to explore this week’s prominent storylines pertaining to the Houston Rockets.

With the 2022-23 regular season underway, what does second-year guard Jalen Green need to do to become an impactful, winning player? On the episode, Moore further explains and adds context to his controversial podcast remarks from last week, along with offering new insight from watching the Rockets on film.

Other discussion topics on the show include Houston’s surprising decision to start Bruno Fernando over Alperen Sengun at center; the ramifications of Kevin Porter Jr.’s unique contract extension; and a potential blueprint for rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. over his career.

Friday’s full episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Craig Ackerman previews the 2022-23 Houston Rockets season

With the season almost here, #Rockets voice Craig Ackerman joins us to discuss key storylines, including the integration of Alperen Sengun as a starter and the growth of Jalen Green.

In Friday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, Craig Ackerman joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to discuss key storylines for the 2022-23 season along with lessons learned from the preseason. Ackerman is the play-by-play voice for Houston Rockets television broadcasts.

Topics featured on the podcast include the ongoing process of integrating Alperen Sengun into Houston’s starting lineup and promising signs of development shown by young prospects Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Tari Eason and KJ Martin.

Other discussion points involve Ackerman’s career perspective and his new broadcast team at AT&T SportsNet Southwest with Ryan Hollins and Vanessa Richardson, along with insight on the epic start to Major League Baseball’s 2022 postseason by Yordan Alvarez and the Astros (now up 2-0 in the ALDS over the Seattle Mariners).

Friday’s full episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Initial observations on 2022-23 Rockets training camp

Stephen Silas says day one of #Rockets training camp was the best he’s seen in all his NBA years. Today’s podcast explores reasons for optimism, starting with Kevin Porter Jr.’s growth.

In Wednesday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, Brian Barefield and Ben DuBose explore key storylines for the Houston Rockets at the start of training camp for the 2022-23 season, which began Tuesday, Sept. 27 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

With insight based on new interviews and on-court activities, discussion topics include the personal growth and maturity of Kevin Porter Jr.; top rookie prospect Jabari Smith Jr. showing qualities as a vocal leader; reasons for relative optimism this year; and much more.

Head coach Stephen Silas referred to Day 1 of training camp as the best he’s seen of his 20-plus years in the NBA, and Brian explains the encouraging signs he’s witnessed early in camp.

Wednesday’s full episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Key training camp storylines for the 2022-23 Houston Rockets

Our @BenDuBose breaks down key training camp and preseason storylines in Houston, led by growth from Kevin Porter Jr. and Stephen Silas.

In Tuesday’s episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, we explore key Houston Rockets storylines to watch entering 2022-23 training camp, which begins Tuesday, Sept. 27 in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

With a contract extension deadline looming next month for Kevin Porter Jr., a strong camp and preseason might help make the case to the Rockets and general manager Rafael Stone to invest early.

Other discussion topics include the importance of better finishing by Porter and Jalen Green on drives; adapting to Alperen Sengun as an offensive hub; rotation battles to keep an eye on, starting with Eric Gordon versus Jae’Sean Tate for a starting lineup spot; and the massive importance of this season to head coach Stephen Silas.

Tuesday’s full episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Auburn’s Bruce Pearl on Jabari Smith Jr. and the Rockets

Bruce Pearl, head coach at Auburn, joins our podcast with reaction to Jabari Smith Jr.’s initial NBA summer league games with the Rockets, along with insight on his potential fit with Jalen Green.

Bruce Pearl, who was Jabari Smith Jr.’s head coach at Auburn University, joins Wednesday’s episode of The Lager Line podcast to break down the start to Smith’s young NBA career with the Houston Rockets.

Topics include reaction to Smith’s initial summer league games and how to best utilize him in Houston; what his potential fit alongside Jalen Green looks like; memories at Auburn and on the recruiting trail; early impressions of fellow rookies Tari Eason and TyTy Washington; and more.

“He is going to be a guy that coaches can point to with what time he gets in the locker room, and how he practices every single day,” Pearl said of his expectations for Smith with the Rockets. He continued:

He’s going to be incredibly consistent, and he’s not going to have highs and lows like a lot of rookies, because he’s not immature. He doesn’t have any distractions off the floor. You can coach him, and he wants to be coached hard.

So if Coach (Stephen Silas) wants to get after his No. 3 pick and get into him, that’s not going to bother Jabari one bit. But it sends a message that, ‘If I’m going to chew on this guy, I’m going to chew on your ass, as well.’

He’ll be able to set a really good standard. That’s one of the reasons why his teams win.

Wednesday’s complete episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Key takeaways from Houston’s 2-1 start at NBA summer league

In Monday night’s podcast, Brian Barefield (@BigSargeSportz) shares his summer league impressions from Las Vegas regarding Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and the rest of the young Rockets.

LAS VEGAS — Our Brian Barefield has followed the Houston Rockets (2-1) for the first three games and associated practices at the NBA’s 2022 summer league, so we welcomed him to The Lager Line podcast Monday to share what he’s learned watching Jabari Smith Jr. and company.

Though Smith struggled in his first two games as a shooter, the 19-year-old was very efficient with 19 points in Monday’s win over San Antonio, and he’s regularly delivered a significant impact on the defensive end.

With that in mind, topics discussed on the podcast include:

  • Reaction to Smith’s summer league start and his mentality, and why the good has clearly outweighed the bad
  • Early impressions of fellow rookies Tari Eason and TyTy Washington
  • The competition between Washington and Daishen Nix for potential backup point guard minutes in the 2022-23 season
  • Optimal usage patterns for Josh Christopher
  • Aric Holman as a potential backup big candidate for the 2022-23 Rockets, behind Alperen Sengun

Monday’s complete episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Previewing Rockets draft week with USA TODAY’s Bryan Kalbrosky

Is Paolo Banchero a lock at No. 3, or are other options still in play? NBA draft guru Bryan Kalbrosky breaks down the latest news on the Rockets, who suddenly have three first-round draft picks.

Longtime NBA writer and draft expert Bryan Kalbrosky, who covers the league for the USA TODAY Sports Media Group, joins the latest episode of The Lager Line podcast to preview the 2022 NBA draft.

Thanks to Wednesday’s trade sending Christian Wood to Mavericks, the Houston Rockets suddenly have three first-round selections at No. 3 overall, No. 17 (via Brooklyn), and No. 26 (via Dallas).

Will they keep all three of those selections, or are further trades possible in the final days leading up to the draft on Thursday, June 23?

Other topics discussed on Friday’s podcast include:

  • Value obtained by Rockets general manager Rafael Stone in the Wood trade
  • Options at No. 17 and No. 26 in the order
  • Whether Paolo Banchero is a lock at No. 3, or if other names (Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, or Jaden Ivey) could still be in play
  • Potential options for Stone and the Rockets leading up to the NBA’s 2022 free agency period at the end of June

Friday’s complete episode can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Podcast: Rockets voice Craig Ackerman on 2022 draft lottery, Jalen Green’s award, and more

In our new podcast, Craig Ackerman — voice of the Rockets — shares his reaction to the NBA’s 2022 draft lottery results, Jalen Green’s award-winning rookie season, and much more.

Craig Ackerman, voice of the Houston Rockets as the team’s lead play-by-play broadcaster for games on its regional television network, joins Thursday’s episode of The Lager Line podcast.

Ackerman recently completed his first season as Houston’s full-time TV broadcaster for AT&T SportsNet Southwest alongside new analyst Ryan Hollins and courtside reporter Cayleigh Griffin.

With the 2022 offseason now in full swing, topics discussed on the show (sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing) include:

  • Immediate reaction to the Rockets landing the No. 3 overall pick via the 2022 NBA draft lottery
  • Reflections on Jalen Green’s rookie season, which culminated with a spot on the All-Rookie First Team, along with offseason priorities
  • Observations on the future outlook in Houston for Kevin Porter Jr., Christian Wood, and Stephen Silas
  • Highlights from the first year of the Ackerman-Hollins TV pairing

The complete episode with Ackerman and podcast host Ben DuBose can be listened to below. Each episode of the show will also be available through Houston’s flagship radio station SportsTalk 790.

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