The Houston Rockets defeated the Denver Nuggets 128-108, with Jalen Green scoring an impressive 34 points and 5 assists in just 29 minutes. He helped the Rockets secure their victory by the end of the third quarter. Despite the absence of Jokic and Gordon from the Nuggets, they still had Westbrook, Porter, and Murray forming a formidable trio. However, the Rockets managed to dominate the game, demonstrating their strength. The Rockets' record is now on the verge of surpassing the Boston Celtics, placing them third in the league, with only a 0.5-game difference separating them from the Celtics. Up next, the Rockets will continue their road trip against the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers. There is a possibility that Ison could return to the lineup, which would be a significant boost for the team. With Amen Thompson already starting, White Magic has taken over Amen's previous rotation time. Ison's playing time was previously allocated to Jeff Green, but once Ison returns, it is expected that Jeff Green will struggle to find playing time. This means that with Ison back, the Rockets will become even stronger on both offense and defense, making them more formidable. Additionally, there has been a sudden explosion in Jalen Green's performance. Since entering the year 2025, Jalen Green has been averaging an impressive 30.6 points per game, with a shooting percentage of 52%, a three-point shooting percentage of 48%, and a free-throw percentage of 94%. These statistics place him at the level of the exclusive 180 Club. It's hard to predict Green's performance sometimes;…

The Houston Rockets have been facing a series of misfortunes recently, with suspensions and injuries leaving them with only nine players for their latest game. Among the most unfortunate is rookie TyTy Washington, who has been benched for two consecutive games and has been DNP (Did Not Play) for the fourth time this season. Despite being a sharpshooter in college, his performance in the NBA has not lived up to expectations, with low shooting percentages and underwhelming playmaking abilities. Washington's college career was marked by impressive three-point shooting, earning him a fan following. However, since joining the NBA, he has struggled to maintain his form, with a three-point shooting percentage of only 28%. This has led to limited playing time, averaging just 12 minutes per game and contributing 3.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Coach Stephen Silas has made it clear that he will not give opportunities to underperforming players, even when the team is short-handed. This approach puts pressure on young players like Washington to prove themselves if they want to secure a place in the rotation. With other bench players stepping up in recent games, Washington faces a tough challenge to regain his spot. The article ends on an encouraging note, urging Washington to improve his shooting accuracy and showcase his playmaking skills to avoid being relegated to the G League. It emphasizes the competitive nature of the NBA, where survival of the fittest is the norm. Washington's future in the league depends on his ability to adapt and overcome his current struggles.

Houston Rockets' Winning Bet: A Testament to Smart Management and Teamwork The Houston Rockets have emerged as a dark horse in the NBA, securing their position as the second-best team in the West with an impressive defense and the explosive performance of their young players. Recently, they have won three consecutive victories, demonstrating their fiery form. Most notably, second overall pick Jalen Green has had a breakout performance. In January, he delivered an outstanding record: averaging 27.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, with a shooting percentage close to fifty percent and an impressive 41.2% from beyond the arc. Over several games, Green maintained a stable scoring output, showcasing his All-Star-level offensive prowess. Coach Udoka's training of the team is undeniable. This renowned coach, who hails from the Spurs coaching staff, brought Popovich's defensive philosophy to Houston. Under his guidance, the Rockets have built the third-best defensive efficiency in the league, with defensive stalwarts like Brooks and Smith forming an intimidating frontline that strikes fear into opponents. Even more surprising is the significant improvement in Jalen Green's defense, which has elevated him to the top 70 defenders in the league alongside Shen Jing. Udoka particularly emphasizes the defensive coordination between the two, moving away from simple one-on-one rotations. Reflecting on the offseason, the Rockets' management made a wise decision. They had the opportunity to bring in Paul George but ultimately chose to trust their young players. Reality has proven this decision to be incredibly correct. Looking at the situation of the 76ers, who paid a hefty price of…

Don't ask me this question anymore! Udoka doesn't want to answer questions about Ison's injury situation again. He has repeatedly stated that there have been no changes and no specific timetable for his return. Because Ison can't play, Amane is promoted to the starting lineup. Although Udoka does not appreciate Whitmore's playing style, he still has to use him. Of course, Udoka will also constantly look for opportunities to discipline Whitmore to demonstrate his authority within the Rockets team. Udoka said in an interview that Sheppard scored 49 points in a single game in the Development League but was not selfish and did not force anything. Udoka suggests to Sheppard: "Be aggressive on offense, be confident, and be more decisive in certain aspects. As I said, he needs to control the rhythm of the game and find shooting opportunities through a lot of practice while also accepting some defensive challenges." Udoka also said: "We have seen similar situations with Whitmore. Many times, some players' states stagnate when they get less playing time, but once they truly get the opportunity to play in actual combat, they can quickly enter the state." Udoka admits that Jalen Green is a player with strong scoring ability and hopes he can maintain stability. The Rockets narrowly defeated the Grizzlies to win their 26th game of the season. Jalen Green scored 42 points with 3 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting 13 of 18 from the field, 5 of 6 from three-point range, and a plus-minus of +8. His performance in this game surpassed his older brother…

In a fierce match where the Rockets secured their third victory against the Grizzlies this season, all eyes were on Jalen Green, who scored 42 points, and Amen Thompson, who contributed 19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 5 blocks. These two young players, both in their early twenties, have accelerated the countdown for veteran Fred VanVleet's departure with their outstanding performances. Initially, the Rockets signed VanVleet to a three-year, 112millioncontractfromthefree−agentmarkettomentortheiryoungplayers.This112 million contract from the free-agent market to mentor their young players. This 112millioncontractfromthefree−agentmarkettomentortheiryoungplayers.This40 million average annual salary was more akin to a "training fee." However, no one anticipated how quickly the Rockets' rebuilding process would progress. At the beginning, VanVleet and the Rockets management might have considered renewing his contract after its expiration with a slightly lower average salary but longer term, allowing VanVleet to continue guiding the team. This was because shortly after signing, the Rockets' promising point guard, Kevin Porter Jr., was removed from the team due to self-sabotage. In such circumstances, even if the team wanted to find a future successor, there was no suitable candidate. At that time, Green, who had been honed for two years, had proven to everyone that he was a pure shooting guard, not a combo guard. Subsequently, the Rockets' management demonstrated their response by choosing high draft picks in the 23rd and 24th consecutive drafts to secure backcourt point guard players. No one expected that Amen Thompson, drafted in 2023, would grow into the best all-around player for the Rockets in just one season. Standing at 2.01 meters…

The game between the Rockets and the Grizzlies was quite lively, as we all saw. In terms of the game's progress, it was a fast-paced rhythm, but in this game, the Rockets were the team chasing points. The victory was crucial for the Rockets. So, what are the key points to analyze from this game? Winning twice in four days has solidified their position as second in the West. How did the Rockets win, and what were the five correct decisions? In fact, the Rockets and the Grizzlies have played each other quite a bit recently. Just four days ago, they had a match where the Rockets won by a small margin of 4 points. Today's game also ended with a narrow 2-point victory for the Rockets. However, this doesn't diminish the significance of the Rockets winning twice against the Grizzlies in four days. Moreover, after these consecutive victories, the Rockets have firmly maintained their second place in the West, increasing their number of wins to 26. How did the Rockets manage to win this game? It was mainly due to five correct decisions. The first decision was to give the ball to Green. Since entering January, Green has been performing exceptionally well. As a result, Udoka ensured that Green received ample ball possession. Everyone could see in this game that the Rockets' victory was largely due to Green's contributions. He scored 42 points and provided 4 assists, playing a crucial role in closing the gap when the team was trailing, stabilizing the Rockets' foundation. The second decision was to…

Announced! Udoka promises to reuse the White Wizard, one battle convinces the head coach, accelerating Shepard's departure to the Kings White Wizard Ascends, What an Exciting Plot Twist!‌ This season for the Rockets has been like a roller coaster ride! Initially, it seemed as though they were heading towards a losing streak, but Coach Udoka pulled off a miraculous move, leading the team to a top-three spot in the West! The speed at which they turned things around was comparable to a rocket launch! What's even more surprising is that Whitmore, who had previously been benched, managed to make a remarkable comeback! In the game against the Mavericks, Whitmore played like a godsend, scoring 18 points in just 24 minutes! He made 3 out of 4 three-point shots, a shooting percentage that even made me want to exclaim, "Sir, please accept my bow"! With such a performance, Coach Udoka couldn't help but praise him after the game, saying, "This young man's playing time is invaluable!" From now on, the "White Wizard" will be a precious asset to the Rockets, and no one can take him away! Whitmore has certainly had a tough journey. After being sidelined by the coach, the feeling must have been as sour as eating an ice lolly in winter. But he didn't give up; he seized every opportunity to perform to the best of his ability, showing a tenacity stronger than a cockroach! Now, he's finally made it! The rise of the "White Wizard" has brought joy to Rocket fans, it's like celebrating the Lunar New…

This season, the Houston Rockets have delivered an impressive performance, securing a solid second place in the Western Conference, despite not reaching the finals of the mid-season tournament. Their success is evident, and General Manager Stone's moves have inspired multiple rebuilding teams to follow suit. The combination of promising rookies and experienced veterans has directly contributed to the rapid rise of Houston. The growth of seven newcomers has far exceeded expectations, prompting the team management to abandon the idea of trading for superstar players. Instead, they aim to develop the potential of their players through continuous high-intensity competition, striving to establish them as cornerstones of the team. However, this decision does not apply to everyone, especially the No. 3 pick from the 24th draft, Shepherd, who gained attention for his excellent ball-handling skills and precise shooting, even being hailed as a player comparable to Curry. The harsh reality dealt a blow to the young player, as he only managed to score 3.3 points per game in 11 minutes over 30 games with the Rockets. His once-prided finishing techniques were hindered by his slender physique, becoming a mental barrier that even led to him falling out of Coach Udoka's regular rotation. A shooter lacking in self-confidence is not enough to win every game, making him a target of criticism from various media outlets. As a high draft pick, failing to achieve a single-game record of 20 points is hard to justify. For the long-term development of the team, there were even rumors of trading Shepherd. Despite the Sacramento Kings offering attractive…

The Houston Rockets are currently one of the teams with the fewest average points allowed in the league, and they are also among the best in terms of average defensive efficiency. Therefore, although the Rockets may not perform well offensively this season, especially in their three-point shooting, where their current 32% three-point shooting percentage ranks second-to-last in the league, they still rely on their impenetrable defense and strong overall strength to maintain their position as second in the Western Conference. Moreover, the Rockets have recently won consecutive games against strong teams, such as the Lakers, Grizzlies, and Mavericks, all of which are top teams in the West. Even with the absence of two frontline core players, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, Coach Udoka is not worried because he knows that the depth of the Rockets' roster is at a first-class level. Even if two players are out, there are still many substitute players who can step up. Furthermore, talented players like Michael Weir and Sheppard from the Rockets are playing in the Development League and can be recalled for important roles at any time. In fact, the main reason for the Rockets' excellent record this season is their defense, which is so strong that it no longer needs to be elaborated upon. It is believed that by looking at the Rockets' current record and performance, everyone knows how powerful their defense is. Even without two key defensive players like Eason and Smith Jr., Udoka can still rely on three other top defenders. For example, in the previous game where…

The Houston Rockets have exceeded expectations this season with a record of 25 wins and 12 losses, ranking second in the Western Conference and highly competitive in the entire league. They have transformed from a rebuilding team to one of the top contenders. The Rockets' success this season is largely attributed to their draft picks over the past few years, showcasing Stone's keen eye for talent. However, the Rockets have accumulated seven young, talented players over four years, which could lead to significant pressure during contract renewals. The team must prioritize which players to retain. Among these seven players, who is least likely to be traded, and who faces the highest risk? Seventh: Whitmore Whitmore's position might have been higher among fans just half a month ago. However, his recent emotional outbursts, negative comments about himself and the team, conflicts with teammates, and concerns about his attitude, emotional intelligence, and basketball IQ have increased the likelihood of his departure, possibly by the mid-season trade deadline. Sixth: Shepherd Shepherd's performance suggests he should have been traded earlier, but his high emotional and basketball intelligence make him valuable. The Rockets recognize that his lackluster performance is partly due to insufficient opportunities, so they are not in a rush to let go of this promising point guard known as "Little Curry." Fifth: Ison Ison's defensive prowess is among the best in the league, yet his ranking is lower than expected. Prior to his injury, he would have ranked in the top three. Now, if the Rockets acquire a superstar player, Ison might be…