Our current Rockets remind us of
Every so often, the pride I get from the revival of the Rockets this season makes me reflect on Houston Rockets teams and players from the past. That nostalgia made me begin to compare the current roster to Rockets players of the past, and from there I came up with the idea, “Who is each current players “Spirit Rocket”? It’s fun to think about and will no doubt spark some healthy debate among the TDS faithful. Let’s get it! Here are the main rotation players “Spirit Rockets”.
Alperen Sengun / Luis Scola
On its face, this comparison may seem like low hanging fruit. Two international players that play in the post. However, there is so much more that makes Alperen Sengun and Luis Scola kindred spirits.
Luis Scola began his professional career in 1995 at the age of 15 in the Argentine League. Sengun began his pro career at the age of 16 in the Turkish First League. Both Scola and Sengun had been proven international players before coming to the NBA relatively unknown. Both began their NBA careers as members of the Houston Rockets via trade, acquiring Scola’s rights from the Spurs and Sengun’s rights from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What makes them most spiritually aligned to me is that they both came in the league uncelebrated and have made a name for themselves, very quickly becoming fan favorites in Houston. Both players had started their NBA careers being seen as a defensive liability, but much like Scola, what Sengun lacked in natural ability on the defensive end, he makes up for with toughness and competitive spirit. These are just a few reasons I believe Alperen Sengun’s “Spirit Rocket” is Luis Scola.
Jabari Smith Jr. / Shane Battier
While Jabari Smith Jr’s elocution may not be up to the level of Shane Battier’s just yet at the young age of 21 years old, in my opinion, the most prevalent attribute that the two share is their business-like approach to the game. Jabari demonstrates a maturity beyond his years, much as Battier did coming out of Duke. During the Rockets lean years under a Stephen Silas, Jabari Smith was one of the main members of the young core to express the need for more discipline and leadership. While Jabari may be relatively quiet, he possesses that same competitive intensity, especially in the crucial moments that make he and Shane “Spirit Rockets” together.
Dillon Brooks / Mario Elie
Right here is where some of you may have expected me to mention a former Houston Rockets bad boy from Gainesville but ,no, to me Dillon Brooks shares a spirit with “The Junkyard Dog” Mario Elie. Brooks, like Elie, prides himself on defense and locking up the other team’s best player. Ironically, though neither is the greatest shooter, both players most memorable moment with the Rockets happened on the offensive end of the court. Brooks tied a team record for three-pointers in one game earlier this season versus the Boston Celtics, and in the city of Houston, all you have to say is “Kiss of Death” and most NBA fans will know exactly what you mean. Another thing that makes them kindred spirits is that as tough and nasty as they can get on the court, both are two of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet off the court.
Jalen Green / Steve Francis
Most TDS faithful who are familiar with my work, know big of a Jalen Green fan I am. So, it shouldn’t come at a huge surprise that my pick for his “Spirit Rocket” is another one of my favorite Rockets of all-time, Steve Francis. Steve Francis was my favorite player coming out of Maryland to the NBA Draft in 1999, but I remember thinking that there was no way the Rockets could ever get him. He was going to be a top three pick and the Rockets were picking at 22. So you can imagine my excitement when I found out that after he had been drafted by the then Vancouver Grizzlies, the Grizz traded him to the Houston Rockets for Michael Dickerson, Othella Harrington, Antoine Carr, Brent Price, a first and second-round pick. (Yes, the Grizzlies have always been terrible at trades, it’s nothing new.)
Much like Jalen Green, Steve Francis came in with unlimited athleticism and upside potential. He just needed to learn to win. Jalen was also drafted number two overall and came to Houston as the future of the franchise. “The Franchise” was literally Steve Francis’ nickname for the very same reason. His task was to quickly return the Rockets to prominence. Francis was a human highlight, and he put it on display every night he hit the floor, much like Jalen has in his career. Both participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend. Jalen’s performance wasn’t good at all, but his athleticism warranted him giving it a shot. Steve Francis may have won his dunk contest had he not been going against arguably the greatest dunker of all-time, in arguably the greatest slam dunk contest performance of all-time.
Unfortunately for Stevie Franchise fans, the team did what many have clamored for this iteration of the Rockets to do with Jalen Green, they moved on from him leaving all kinds of what ifs behind. Despite their relaxed and unassuming personalities, make no mistake, both Jalen Green and Steve Francis care about winning. Jalen Green’s career hasn’t started as quickly as Steve Francis did, winning co-Rookie of The Year honors in his rookie season, but he has the chance to solidify himself as one of the greatest Rockets to ever lace up for H-Town.
Amen Thompson / Russell Westbrook
Electric speed, relentless attack of the rim, athleticism that really isn’t even fair for one person to possess, can do everything on the court except shoot. Which one am I talking about? See, you don’t even know. Amen Thompson is the 6-foot and 7-inch version of Russell Westbook. As Tyler Herro will attest, Amen has a bit of a “dawg” in him too. Craziest part is that there are two of him. Can’t even imagine their being two Westbrooks. Lastly, they both can boast having a path to the basket cleared by a punishing screen from their mutual teammate Steven Adams.
Fred VanVleet / Mark Jackson
Fred VanVleet is much closer to his prime than Mark Jackson was when he came to the Rockets. But the two were brought to the team for the same reason. To be a veteran presence to a young team that had not made the playoffs in several years. Mark Jackson may be one of the most under-appreciated floor generals in basketball history, but those who witnessed his leadership as a player and as a coach know. Jackson notched his 10,334th assist as a Houston Rocket in the 2003-2004 season, and the Rockets made the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
It’s possible that Fred may finish his career as a Rocket, but not for certain. What does look certain is that in an even more impactful way than Jackson, Fred will be leading the Rockets to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Tari Eason / PJ Tucker
Aside from the fact that they don the same number for our hometown heroes, Tari Eason brings an infectious intensity to the game that their teammates can feel. They are the rare combination of players who lead vocally and by example. They also both impact the game without having plays drawn up for them or even needing to score the ball at all. If Tari can master the corner three the way Tuck did, then his athleticism will carry him to a much better statistical career as he is the superior overall offensive player. However, their heart and “dawg” mentality are what makes them “Spirit Rockets”.
Jeff Green / Dikembe Mutombo
Makes me feel really old that in my lifetime I have not only seen Dikembe Mutombo come into this league and become a star, age gracefully and become a veteran leader for a young Rockets team, but now I’ve seen the same thing with Jeff Green. A pros pro who still has some game and even shocks the youngsters with how he can still get it done from time to time. That’s how the 2008 Rockets felt when 11 games into what would become a 22-game win streak, Yao Ming went down with a stress fracture in his foot that would require surgery and have him out for the season. His replacement in the starting lineup? 42-year-old Dikembe Mutombo! He shined in his role and turned back the hands of time during that win streak much as we have seen Jeff do at times this season. Like Diek, Jeff is beloved around the league, both by the youngsters and the old heads. Kindred spirits, two of the greatest to ever play the role of “Unk”. (RIP Diek)
Jae’Sean Tate / Carl Landry
Carl Landry is the “OG” stay ready player for the Houston Rockets. Hustle, hard work, and a passion for the game that Rockets fans fell in love with. Oh, by the way, Landry could hoop! So can Jae’Sean Tate. Coming into the season Jae’Sean likely knew he was going to be hard pressed to get minutes. A player of his caliber could easily get playing time on just about any team in the NBA, so he should have forced his way out of town to play for a team he’d be a major contributor for, right? Wrong. He just did what he does and stay ready! Jae’Sean and Carl Landry’s game don’t have many similarities, but they are the true definition of players with “the heart of a champion.” Carl never realized that dream for the Rockets, but hopefully one day his “Spirit Rocket” can.
That’s what I got! I’d love to hear what you think I got right, and what I got wrong. What about the players i didn’t mention? Also, let me know who your “Spirit Rocket” is when you hit the court. Until next time TDS fam!