The NBA regular season continues to progress, with teams currently working diligently to prepare for the upcoming trade deadline. It is known that each completed trade has the potential to significantly impact the final direction of the playoffs, so teams are not taking this lightly. Recently, it appears that Jimmy Butler, a star player for the Heat, is no longer interested in continuing his career with the team and seems to have made the decision to part ways with the Heat. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to leave in public, and the Heat management does not seem willing to let him go easily. Especially when conflicts arose between Butler and the team's upper management, the Heat directly responded by suspending him. Clearly, these actions are creating conditions for a trade. Butler's stay or departure has become a significant challenge for the team, hence the series of related operations. This season, the Rockets' performance has been impressive. Although they may be slightly inferior to the Thunder in overall strength, they still firmly occupy a top-tier position in the competitive Western Conference. The Rockets' problems are quite evident, particularly in terms of competitiveness at the forward position. Currently, the Rockets urgently need a superstar with exceptional abilities to strengthen their forward line, thereby enhancing the team's competitiveness in this position and elevating their overall strength. Clearly, in their minds, Butler is precisely the person they need. Some American media speculate that the Rockets have offered an attractive trade proposal to the Heat, which includes Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson Jr.,…

The Houston Rockets have emerged as a strong contender in the NBA, having transitioned from a rebuilding phase to a competitive team under the leadership of coach Ime Udoka. The team has established a defensive-focused culture and has seen significant improvement this season, with their "Houston Seven" players contributing to their success. Despite their high defensive efficiency, ranking second in the league, the Rockets face challenges in offensive efficiency and key moments of games. American media and fans now hold higher expectations for the Rockets, hoping they will prepare for the playoffs. The team's offensive struggles and lack of star power in critical situations have made them a potential destination for star players in the market. Names like Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, and De'Aaron Fox have been linked with the Rockets due to their culture, depth, defense, and trade assets. The Sacramento Kings are reportedly considering trading De'Aaron Fox, with the Rockets being a likely trade partner. A proposed 9-for-3 trade deal would see the Rockets acquire Fox, along with other players, while the Kings would receive several draft picks and players from the Rockets. This trade could benefit both teams, with the Kings potentially revitalizing the careers of young players like Kenyon Martin Jr., who may not have received enough playing time with the Rockets. The Rockets' strategy is to strengthen their roster with targeted acquisitions, such as Fox, who is a top-tier scorer and clutch player. Although he may need to improve his three-point shooting, his age and potential align well with the growth trajectory of…

In the NBA arena, the Houston Rockets have recently caught the eye with their performance. Despite the absence of key players Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr., the team has continued to win games in a row. What secrets lie behind this remarkable record? After in-depth analysis, two key factors have emerged. VanVleet Changes His Playing Style to Energize the Team's Offense VanVleet was once controversial for his shot selection in games, leaving an impression of being "selfish." However, during the period when Eason and Smith were absent, he made a timely adjustment to his strategy, transitioning from a "scoring priority" to an "organizational core." Aware that the team's margin for error had decreased after losing two key defenders, VanVleet stopped taking unnecessary shots. He focused more on organizing and connecting the team, using his excellent passing vision and overall perspective to create excellent scoring opportunities for his teammates time and again. In the game, we often see him skillfully break through the defense, attract defenders, and accurately pass the ball to open teammates. This change has been significant, with his assist numbers skyrocketing. Although his personal scoring statistics have declined, the team's overall offense has become smooth and efficient, laying a solid foundation for victory. Amon Starts to Activate the Lineup, Bench Firepower Continuously Outputs Promoting Amon Thompson to the starting lineup is undoubtedly a stroke of genius by the Rockets coaching staff. This talented rookie is at ease in the starting position, showcasing extraordinary strength on both the offensive and defensive ends. Offensively, Amon can use his outstanding…

Since Amen Thompson's return from suspension, the Houston Rockets have been in good form, winning two consecutive victories. Due to multiple injuries in the Rockets' lineup, Thompson has been pushed into the starting lineup, where he has performed exceptionally well, leading many to believe that he should remain a permanent fixture in the starting five. Amen has scored at least 20 points and 15 rebounds in both of his starting games, and it seems this trend will not change quickly. Here are his stats from these two games: 20 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, shooting 87.5% 23 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, shooting 57.9% Such performances are not new for the young forward, as he has consistently put up impressive numbers whenever he starts this season. So far this season, as a starter, Thompson averages around 18 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks per game, outperforming the Rockets' official starting forward, Jabari Smith Jr., who averages 11.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1 assist. Amen's excellence extends beyond individual stats; he also elevates the team's overall performance. With him on the court, the Rockets appear more complete on both ends, especially offensively. When Amen plays, the Rockets often shift to a fast-paced offense that relies on transition play and excellent ball movement, which greatly benefits their star guard, Jalen Green. Green excels with his athleticism and ability to attack the basket. Since Amen joined the starting lineup, Green has seized the opportunity, scoring over 29 points in the last two games with high efficiency. The…

The Houston Rockets have recently encountered a minor setback as one of their core players, Jabari Smith Jr., has been sidelined due to a fractured left hand. According to official sources, he is expected to miss at least four to six weeks of play. This news has understandably caused concern among Rockets fans, as Smith's contributions on the defensive end are significant. His absence is expected to impact the team's defensive line. The Rockets have had a strong season so far, winning 22 out of their first 33 games with a win rate of 66.7%, securing a solid position in the top three of the Western Conference. The team has generally been in good shape, managing to cope with occasional minor injuries, particularly on the offensive end where new additions have performed well. Smith's injury, which occurred during training rather than in a game, is unfortunate and unpredictable, leaving the team management exclaiming that they are not to blame. With his injury now confirmed, Smith will officially leave the court to begin his recovery period. While his absence is not expected to disrupt the overall team strategy, it does pose a considerable challenge to the team's defense. Smith's injury affects not only the fans' morale but also his teammates, who must feel the loss of an important defensive pillar. Averaging 11.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game with a shooting percentage of 43.5% and a three-point percentage of 35.4%, his statistics may not be eye-catching, but his defensive efforts and on-court tenacity are crucial to the team's success. Other Rockets…

On January 2, 2025, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Houston Rockets facing off against the Dallas Mavericks at home. Despite the absence of Amen Thompson due to suspension, the Rockets demonstrated remarkable resilience and ultimately defeated the Mavericks 110-99, ending their opponents' winning streak. With this victory, the Rockets improved their record to 22 wins and 11 losses, firmly securing third place in the Western Conference, just half a game behind the second-place Memphis Grizzlies, intensifying the competition for the top four spots in the West. Game Review:‌ The Mavericks started strong in the first quarter, leading the Rockets by six points with a score of 30-24. However, the Rockets began to exert themselves in the second quarter, with Shen Jing and Jalen Green's outstanding performances helping the team score 37 points and reverse the lead to 61-52. In the third quarter, the Rockets maintained stable offensive and defensive play, keeping their double-digit lead throughout. In the final quarter, despite the Mavericks' efforts to catch up, the Rockets remained steady and secured the win with a final score of 110-99. During the game, the young players of the Rockets showed significant potential. Shen Jing excelled in his breakthroughs, once falling due to an opponent's malicious foul and being hit in the face. But Shen Jing persisted and continued to contribute to the team. Similarly, Jabari Smith Jr. suffered a bloody nose while fighting for rebounds, demonstrating the indomitable spirit of the young Rockets players during the game. Western Conference Competition Intensifies, Rockets Aim for Top Four…

Hey, guys! We're talking about something today that will definitely get you excited! Eric Pincus just dropped a bombshell on BR, saying that the Sacramento Kings have set their sights on the third pick in the draft, Jaden Ivey, from the Houston Rockets, and this time they're serious! This is really interesting. The Kings are even willing to part with their star player, De'Aaron Fox, just to get Ivey. This move has left me speechless! Seriously, Fox plays with real energy, his speed is like a rocket, averaging over 20 points per game is no joke. Let's talk about the trade proposal first, it's a big one! The Kings are offering Fox, Lyles, and McDermott, while the Rockets would have to give up Ivey, Whitmore, Green, Tate, and Landale, plus three first-round picks and swap rights. Wow, that's quite an array! To be honest, Fox's contract is about to expire, he'll need to renegotiate in the summer of 2026. Given his current value, he'll definitely want a max contract, which isn't pocket change! The Kings' management is being very calculating, afraid that spending this money might tie them down, so they'd rather exchange for some young players and draft picks now. On the Rockets' side, Ivey is a real gem! He plays with a certain flair, is ferocious on defense, and comprehensive on offense. His partner, Whitmore, is also a good player. If we could get these two, the Kings would really hit the jackpot! However, the Kings are also quite greedy, wanting Jabari Smith Jr. as well. That's wishful…