The upcoming game between the Rockets and the Pelicans is already causing fatigue just by looking at the injury list. On one side, the Rockets are slightly injured but still fighting with high spirits, while on the other, the Pelicans are missing key players, leaving their team incomplete, much like a car missing a few wheels - can it run steadily? This time, the match between the Rockets and the Pelicans is not only a competition on the basketball court but also a major test of the teams' resilience and adaptability. The Rockets' performance at the beginning of the season has truly impressed fans. Currently ranked in the top four in the West, although occasionally upset, who dares to say they are not strong contenders for the playoffs? This time, Alperen Sengun's left knee is slightly sore, Tari Eason is still recuperating due to injury management issues from last season, and Steven Adams appears on the injury list from time to time. However, these minor troubles are like drizzle to the Rockets; after it passes, the sky is still blue. Are the Rocket fans silently cheering for the team in their hearts, feeling that these minor injuries are nothing? Looking at the other players who cannot play, such as Jose Alvarado, this short guard who usually excels in steals, passing, and shooting, is now resting due to injury, which is no small loss for the Pelicans' backcourt. There's also Daniel Theis and Carlo Matkovic, plus Jordan Hawkins with a waist injury; these five people cannot play, directly reducing the Pelicans'…

The competition in the NBA Western Conference is currently very fierce. Besides the Thunder leading the West for two consecutive years without any surprises, the other teams are closely following each other. For instance, the Houston Rockets, who are temporarily ranked third in the West, have a minimal gap with the teams behind them. Coupled with some injury situations, the Rockets may fall behind in the second half of the season if they only rely on their current lineup. During an appearance on Kevin O'Connor's podcast, renowned journalist Tom Haberstroh revealed the Rockets' future team-building strategy. This includes center Alperen Sengun, who has become untouchable for the team. The three players Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Reed Shepard could be sold by the Rockets at any time. After all, if the team wants to create salary cap space or roster spots to pursue big-name stars, these individuals are likely to become sacrificial lambs. Alperen Sengun has earned his current status and recognition entirely through his own efforts. Initially just a substitute, he has become a core player for the Rockets. So far this season, Alperen Sengun averages 18.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1 block per game. Apart from his outside shooting and defense needing some improvement, his overall performance is impeccable. If Alperen Sengun and the Rockets maintain their level of play without significant declines, it is highly likely that he will be selected for the All-Star Game and the All-NBA Team for the first time in his career this season. Moreover, Alperen Sengun is already…

This season, the Rockets have continued to make progress and are currently firmly ranked among the top three in the Western Conference. Unless there are serious injuries or other unexpected events, it should not be a big problem for the Rockets to return to the playoff stage. However, the Rockets' shortcomings are also obvious, which is the lack of a true first-line superstar. Once the game enters the decisive moments, the Rockets can only rely on defense to win. If the opponent has an excellent shooting performance, the Rockets find it difficult to respond offensively. As a result, they have been overwhelmed or reversed at critical moments several times. From the current situation, the Rockets are considered the top disruptor in the league. Noted journalist Tim Bontemps lists three advantages of Houston, including the fact that the Rockets have many young players with significant potential and room for growth; even if they cannot retain all these young players, packaging some of them with draft picks to trade away can still bring substantial gains to the Rockets; head coach Ime Udoka is highly skilled, and since he joined the Rockets, he has brought about many positive changes to the team and has received a lot of praise and acclaim within the circle of superstars. It can be said that for Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, he needs to make some zero-for-all operations next, which may change the landscape of the league and make the Rockets a championship contender again. Since drafting Reed Sheppard, several young players have been collectively referred to…