The Houston Rockets' performance this season has been somewhat perplexing, with both impressive victories and frustrating defeats. However, there are still some bright spots, especially in the team's young players, who show potential but seem to be just short of reaching their full potential. The biggest headache for the Rockets is the lack of a leader or a superstar who can step up and change the course of a game in critical moments. Without such a core player, the Rockets seem to be searching for direction. However, this does not mean that the Rockets have to wait. Sometimes, the solution to problems does not require a gradual climb but can be achieved through a single trade that injects new vitality into the team. As the trade deadline approaches, the Houston Rockets' management seems to be preparing for a significant move, ready to overhaul the team roster, which has led to speculation about what big moves the Rockets will make this year. Looking at the current roster, there are indeed some players, especially those in the third lineup, who have not received enough playing time. Players like Adams, Jeff Green, Tate, and Aaron Holiday either have contracts nearing expiration or are on short-term deals, suggesting they may no longer be part of the team's future plans. If the team wants to make a significant breakthrough in the coming years, trading away some players for more capable ones may be an inevitable choice. The Rockets' lineup currently lacks an outside player with absolute offensive firepower. Imagine the three-point accuracy of Durant or…

The Houston Rockets suffered a surprising loss against the Detroit Pistons in their recent game, which can be considered an upset. Everyone knows that the Rockets have been performing exceptionally well this season, securing the second-best record in the Western Conference. While the Pistons have shown improvement this season, they have not yet reached the level of a powerhouse team. However, in this particular match, the Rockets unfortunately tasted defeat. So, what are the key takeaways from the Rockets' loss? After the game, Coach Udoka lavished praise on one individual, while VanVleet pinpointed a crucial factor, and Amen did not hold back. As the head coach, Udoka was candid in his post-game assessment, showering praise on the Pistons' Cunningham. Udoka openly stated that he wanted to commend Cunningham for seizing the opportunities presented to him and capitalizing on them. Indeed, Udoka's assessment is accurate; those who watched the game would agree that Cunningham was the primary reason for the Pistons' victory, scoring 32 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, and dishing out 7 assists, despite committing 10 turnovers. It's undeniable that Cunningham has finally stepped up to lead his team. Udoka also criticized his own team, noting that they played as if they hadn't woken up in the first quarter, only managing to play well in the second quarter. It's worth mentioning that the Rockets in this game didn't quite resemble the team everyone is familiar with. This was partly due to their lethargy during the match and partly because they couldn't exploit their usual advantages. Therefore, the Rockets needed this loss…

When the management of the Rockets received a tempting offer that could bring immediate combat power, Udoka cut off the possibility of the trade like a superhero stepping forward. Why? Because this offer involved a treasure he desperately wanted to protect - Whitmore! Whitmore is not just a simple rookie in the Rockets; he is the kind of player who shines even when his playing time is compressed during his rookie season. Averaging 12.3 points per game, this statistic is not to be taken lightly among rookies, especially considering the relatively lesser playing time. Udoka sees the potential star in this young man and is eager to nurture him. When Stone received a proposal to trade a third overall pick plus Whitmore for a quasi All-Star, Udoka immediately called and declared, "Forget it, we're keeping Whitmore!" The resoluteness in this phone call was akin to a declaration of sovereignty, leaving Stone with no choice but to accept the decision. One might say, isn't Udoka being too indulgent towards Whitmore? But looking at it from another perspective, this might just be a wise decision. Consider Jaylen Brown, who had an average first year but skyrocketed in his second, with a growth curve as thrilling as a roller coaster. Udoka may have seen the same potential for a breakout in Whitmore. Moreover, Udoka not only supports Whitmore over the phone but also goes all out in action. Whenever the opportunity arises, he emphasizes Whitmore's outstanding performance and importance in front of the media, and even at the end-of-season summary meeting, he formulated…

The Houston Rockets faced the Kings in a game where Shen Jing suffered an injury, which initially gave the impression that the Rockets' season was over. However, the opposite has proven to be true, as the team has actually become stronger. Throughout March, the Rockets have achieved a record of 9 wins and 8 losses. After defeating the Bulls, they have secured a seven-game winning streak. With an upcoming favorable schedule, it is possible that their streak may continue. They are only 2.5 games behind the tenth-placed Warriors in the Western Conference, making it feasible for them to catch up. In terms of performance, the Rockets are improving with each game, and there is a strong likelihood that they will make a push for the play-in tournament. From a player's perspective, since Shen Jing's departure, many players who have different styles from him have excelled, which is the key reason for the team's excellent form. At least four players have had significant breakthroughs directly related to Shen Jing's absence. Green: When Shen Jing was present, Green averaged 19.2 points per game. Without Shen Jing, Green's average has increased to 29.4 points per game. Crucially, Green's efficiency has improved, with increases in rebounds, assists, and shooting percentage. In recent times, Green has demonstrated star-level performances. As a result, Green has virtually secured his position as a future core player for the Rockets. Without Shen Jing, Green's stability, efficiency, versatility, and leadership abilities have all been significantly enhanced, truly fulfilling his potential. Thompson: Due to Shen Jing's absence, Thompson was promoted to…

The Houston Rockets have won six out of their last seven games, with their loss to the Kings being attributed to biased refereeing. However, this defeat has not dampened the team's momentum, as they seem to be unaffected by injuries based on their recent performances. During their game against the Kings, Smith remained absent, but Ethan made his return, scoring 16 points and grabbing 4 rebounds. Despite the team's loss, Ethan's first appearance after multiple games out due to injury showed that he required no adjustment period; he was ready to contribute as soon as given the opportunity, which was the most pleasant surprise. In their match against the Trail Blazers, the Rockets were not impacted by their previous loss. They played exceptionally well throughout the game, with Ethan, in his second game back, coming off the bench to score 18 points, grab 8 rebounds, provide 4 assists, and make 3 steals. Over these two games, Ethan accumulated a total of 34 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals, all while his playing time was limited. If unrestricted, Ethan could potentially put up even more impressive numbers. Ethan's outstanding performance is commendable, but another aspect that makes all teams envious is the Rockets' roster depth. Even with players like Smith, Ethan, and Thompson rotating in and out due to injuries, the team continues to perform at a high level and achieve efficient results. The Rockets have a stable starting lineup consisting of VanVleet, Green, Dillon, Smith, and Sengun. In the early part of the season, the weaknesses of this…

On January 21, 2025, Beijing time, the Rockets faced the Pistons at home, which was their second encounter of the season. The Rockets had previously defeated the Pistons by 2 points on the road, and with a much better record than the Pistons, it was expected that they would continue to win today. However, in this game, the Pistons had a clear advantage and dominated the Rockets throughout, ultimately defeating them by 11 points. Why did the Rockets, who could defeat the Pistons away from home, suffer a complete loss at home? A key reason is rebounding. In their first encounter, the Rockets grabbed 53 rebounds while the Pistons grabbed 46, giving the Rockets a 7-rebound advantage. However, in today's game, the Rockets only managed to grab 39 rebounds while the Pistons grabbed 52, resulting in a 13-rebound deficit for the Rockets. One of the elements contributing to the Rockets' victories this season has been rebounding, as they average 5.7 more rebounds per game than their opponents. In their first encounter, the Rockets had a significant rebounding advantage, but today they were completely outmatched by the Pistons. Why did this happen? The reason is that compared to their first encounter, the Pistons had an additional "rebound monster" in their lineup, Duran. In their first encounter, Duran was absent, and Stewart became the starting center for the Pistons. In that game, he scored 16 points with 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 2 blocks, performing well. However, Shenjing performed even better, scoring 27 points with 10 rebounds, 2 assists, and…

After suffering a defeat in Sacramento, the Rockets had little time to adjust before embarking on another away game, this time facing the Portland Trail Blazers. Due to a calf injury, Amen Thompson was unable to play, and Tate took his place in the starting lineup for the first time this season. However, he failed to score a single point throughout the game, which did not satisfy the Rockets' fans. Fortunately, Tari Eason, who came off the bench, made a timely return from injury, scoring 18 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, dishing out 4 assists, and making 3 steals in the game. This performance helped the Rockets overcome the absence of Amen Thompson and win by a margin of 22 points. With more than half of the NBA regular season completed, the Rockets have achieved an impressive record of 28 wins and 13 losses, firmly ranking second in the Western Conference. In a post-game interview, VanVleet expressed that they still have bigger dreams and goals, and are continuously growing and improving. He hopes to peak in April and May. Recently, according to American media outlet Bleacher Report's journalist Jake Fischer, the underperforming Mavericks are keen on acquiring De'Andre Hunter from the Hawks as their top target. Hunter can relieve pressure on the Eastern European duo at both ends of the court. If negotiations go smoothly, defensive guard Quentin Grimes could join Houston. The specific trade plan is as follows: The Rockets send Aaron Holiday, a 2027 second-round pick from the Timberwolves, and a 2029 second-round pick from the Rockets to receive…

Translation of the article content into English: This season, the Rockets have played 57 games with a record of 25 wins and 32 losses, ranking 12th in the Western Conference. Looking at their win rate and ranking, it is a significant improvement compared to last season. However, during the offseason, the team used up over $60 million in salary space, aiming to make a strong push for the playoffs. Unfortunately, based on the current situation, they have not been able to meet expectations. During the offseason, the Rockets hired Udoka as their head coach, who then signed players according to his preferences, with almost every signing exceeding market prices. Now, considering their performance and contributions to the team, are these signings worth it? Fred VanVleet: 3 years, $128.5 million, with a 15% trade kicker This season, he averages 16.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with a shooting percentage of 40.9%, a three-point percentage of 37.5%, an effective field goal percentage of 51.8%, and a true shooting percentage of 55.8%. The Rockets' decision to sign VanVleet was out of necessity, as there were not many quality point guards available in the market. Morey had already damaged the team's reputation during his tenure with the Rockets, and without star power to attract big-name players, no top-tier athletes were interested in joining. VanVleet's market value was around 30millionannually,buttheRocketsofferedhim30 million annually, but the Rockets offered him 30millionannually,buttheRocketsofferedhim10 million more than the market price, with Udoka being the key factor. VanVleet, an undrafted player, joined the league with the Raptors…

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Houston Rockets have shown impressive offensive and defensive capabilities this season, securing the second-best record in the Western Conference. Their rebounding statistics and defensive efficiency rank among the top in the league. Coach Udoka emphasizes that strong defense is crucial for increased playing time, a principle that has helped develop the team's young talent. Despite their defensive prowess, the Rockets are perceived as lacking in offensive power, particularly in clutch situations, which some believe hampers their championship potential. The scoring issues for the Rockets are being addressed by their star player, Jalen Green. Drafted with high expectations due to his exceptional talent, Green's NBA journey has been marked by ups and downs, leading to criticism about his consistency. However, his recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, earning him recognition as a potential superstar. According to ESPN's data experts, Green has averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over the last seven games, with shooting percentages of 53.5%, 50.0% from three-point range, and 94.1% from the free-throw line. He is the only player in the league to average 30 points with such high efficiency in all three categories. His scoring has been consistent, with at least 25 points per game since the start of 2025, and his mid-to-long-range shooting accuracy has significantly improved. In key matchups against strong opponents like the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets, Green has delivered outstanding performances, scoring 42 and 34 points respectively. His ability to outperform opposing stars like Ja Morant has been particularly noteworthy. Even in a game against the Lakers, he…