Rockets center Alperen Sengun‘s breakout campaign was cut short after suffering a right ankle injury in March, but he firmly established himself as Houston’s star, Kelly Iko of The Athletic writes. Not only is he Houston’s best player, but Iko asserts he may just be the most important as the Rockets continue to transition into a contender. “The talent level is real,” head coach … [Read more...] about Rockets Notes: Sengun, Play-In, Landale, Brooks
Southwest Notes: Exum, Alvarado, Grizzlies, Rockets
In an interesting story for Yahoo Sports, Jake Fischer describes how Mavericks guard Dante Exum was able to make it back to the NBA after being out of the league the past two seasons. An Australian who sustained multiple major injuries early in his career, Exum only had G League offers in the U.S. and Canada after he was released by Houston in October 2021, and he decided that … [Read more...] about Southwest Notes: Exum, Alvarado, Grizzlies, Rockets
High-Pressure Games Next Step In Development
The Rockets have gone 7-1 over their last eight games and now trail the Warriors and Lakers by 3.5 games for the final spot in the play-in tournament. It’s a stark contrast from the past few seasons, when the team was stuck at the bottom of the standings. As Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscriber link) writes, the Rockets know playing in high-pressure games is the … [Read more...] about High-Pressure Games Next Step In Development
Thriving With Small-Ball Lineups
It’s a small sample size (three games), but the Rockets have been playing well without third-year center Alperen Sengun, who is likely out for the season with ankle and knee injuries, by playing at a faster pace, spacing the floor and crashing the glass with smaller lineups, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). Rookie guard/forward Amen … [Read more...] about Thriving With Small-Ball Lineups
Jalen Green, Jalen Brunson Named Players Of The Week
Rockets guard Jalen Green and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson have been named the NBA’s Players of the Week, the league announced (via Twitter). Green won for the Western Conference, while Brunson was the East’s winner. Green helped Houston go 3-0 last week, averaging 26.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists on .492/.458/.769 shooting in 35.8 minutes per contest. It was his first … [Read more...] about Jalen Green, Jalen Brunson Named Players Of The Week