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VOTE: Who should start at point guard for the Rockets?

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This week’s question asks about the Fred VanVleet injury. With the horrible news that the Rockets starting point guard is going to miss all of the 2025-2026 NBA season with a torn ACL, the Rockets have to figure out who they are going to start at the one.

There are several options. First, Houston could start Amen Thompson. Thompson filled in at power forward last season when Jabari Smith Jr. was injured and performed admirably. However, he was drafted as a point guard. He knows how to distribute the basketball, but can’t shoot the the three-ball.

Next, there is Reed Sheppard, who came into last year’s rookie season with high expectations, but he failed to meet them. Sheppard is a natural combo guard, and the Rockets are still high on him, but he hasn’t proven anything yet. Can he run full-time with the big boys?

There’s also veteran Aaron Holiday, who is the best three-point shooter on this list. Although he’s a veteran, he’s never been a a full-time starter, and the question remains — can he lead a playoff contender?

The other option is that the starting point guard isn’t on this list, and the Rockets go out and find someone. Tell us which one you choose.

Thanks for voting. We’ll be back later this week with the results.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/gener...-start-at-point-guard-for-the-houston-rockets
 
ESPN ranks Rockets Kevin Durant as ninth-best player in NBA

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ESPN recently completed a ranking of the top 100 players in the NBA, and the Houston Rockets were well-represented, with Kevin Durant coming in as the ninth-best player in the NBA. The Rockets acquired Durant in the offseason in return for Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks and multiple draft picks, and now the Rockets have a top 10 player in the NBA for the first time since James Harden left. Here’s what ESPN had to say about KD:

The Rockets entered last postseason pondering whether they needed to acquire a go-to offensive engine and received an answer resoundingly by way of a first-round exit. Enter Durant, who heads into 2025-26 ranked eighth all time in scoring (30,571 points) just behind Wilt Chamberlain (31,419). Even as he’s about to turn 37, Durant remains an efficient and elite scorer who brings championship experience and IQ to go with a relentless work ethic, which is sure to rub off on Houston’s relatively young roster.

Biggest question: Does Durant’s arrival make the Rockets legitimate contenders?

Yes, but only if Houston’s supporting cast does its part in helping Durant find his fit within the group. Having worked with Durant during his tenure in Brooklyn, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka knows the 15-time All-Star isn’t the type of player who wants teammates to defer to him unnecessarily. Durant wants to be integrated into the group naturally, which in turn diversifies Houston’s options for attacking opponents.

So, the best way to maximize Durant’s potential impact is continued growth from players such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, who spent a good chunk of the summer in Istanbul, Turkey, working with Rockets developmental staffers on whittling down his post moves to focus on what’s most effective.

Durant has already told teammates to be themselves, and he’ll find a way to fit in that best helps the team. Durant’s vast experience in a variety of systems over the years ensures he’ll find his way; it’s just a matter of how quickly. — Michael C. Wright

Signature stat: Kevin Durant has averaged at least 25 points, 50% shooting and 40% on 3-pointers in three straight seasons, the longest streak in NBA history.

Fantasy projection: 24.9 PTS, 5.8 REB, 4.2 AST

The players above Durant on the list are LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, Victor Wembenyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic, in that order.

Houston was also well-represented eslewhere on the list, with Alperen Sengun coming in at 25, Amen Thompson coming in at 37, and Jabari Smith Jr. at 74. That makes four out of five Houston starters on the list. With Fred VanVleet now down dor the year, that fifth starter spot is suddenly up for grabs.

Hopefully, KD is all he is packaged to be still, as the Rockets are suddenly down three starters from last season’s number two ranked team when counting for the players lost in the Durant deal, so this is not last year’s team in many, many ways. It’s going to be on Durant to lead Houston where they want to go this year. Do you think he’s up to it?

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...kets-kevin-durant-as-ninth-best-player-in-nba
 
SB Nation Reacts results: Who should start at point guard for the Rockets?

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Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

This week’s question asked you about the season-ending injury to Fred VanVleet. It’s a huge blow to the Rockets, who are pretty thin at the point guard position after FVV. The options we gave were Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson, Aaron Holiday or someone not currently on the roster. Here’s what you said:

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As you can see, 47 percent of voters want Amen Thompson in the point guard spot. Poor Aaron Holiday. Outdone by a player to be named later. Anyway, so there you have it. Most of you want Amen at the point. That potentially opens up another starter spot as well. One thing is for certain, with two guards going out for Kevin Durant, who’s basically penciled in for 20-25 missed games, Houston’s former strength of depth is going to be tested this season.

Thanks for voting, We’ll be back soon with more Reacts.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/gener...e-houston-rockets-amen-thompson-fred-vanvleet
 
Thinking Rockets minutes post FVV injury: The front court

Alperen Sengun, in Turkiye uniform sticking out his lower lip.


A Literal Embarrassment of Riches

I honestly think one of the best ways to analyze a basketball team is to break down possible minutes. To look at what I call The 240 Problem. That is, a team has 240 minutes available, total, in any basketball game that doesn’t go to overtime. Theories of rotations, or development minutes, or even versatility often falter when faced with the reality of 240.

So let’s stipulate the front court is roughly the center and power forward roles. The primary job description is: protect the paint, defensive rebounding, score inside, set screens, offensive rebounding. The Rockets, via Sengun, KD, Jabari Smith and Dorian Finney-Smith can also include switch on defense to some extent and shoot from the outside and for KD, midrange.

We’ve got 96 minutes here. For “center” there are 48. The players who can plausibly play some center are Alperen Sengun, Steven Adams, Clint Capela, Jabari Smith. You can also include Jae’Sean Tate and Jeff Green sometimes.

Last season Alperen Sengun averaged about 32 minutes per game, though much of that came before the revelation that Sengun and Steven Adams could not only co-exist, but complement one another in the same lineup. There are of course shooting questions, but if you’re not going to shoot well, is replacing an unearthly force at rebounding, protecting the paint, and screen (and don’t forget passing with both Adams and Sengun) with mediocre shooting really that helpful? Maybe it’s better to press an advantage even further? We will see.

As for Sengun, though, his rookie extension has begun, he’s now making 22% of the NBA salary cap. (I think this is a more useful way to talk about money now, as if you’ve been following the NBA for a while, the new salary numbers just sort of short circuit critical thinking sometimes). As your second highest paid player, he in some sense needs to play more. If he’s the player we saw lead Turkey, undefeated, to the EuroBasket Final where the lost to Germany (with two high level NBA players and several more bench guys), he needs to play more. As a player who by some metrics was a top ten defender overall, if not in blocks, he needs to play more. As a highly skilled player, and a big part of the Rockets future, who turned 23 in late July, he needs to play more.

So, let’s give Alpie 35 center minutes per game. We have 13 remaining, without biting into power forward minutes. As you will see, this is something of a problem. We can give those minutes to Adams, and on back to backs, or if he needs rest, Clint Capela.

On to power forward. This is a conundrum. The Rockets just extended Jabari Smith, and quietly the finish to his season was quite good. Jabari won’t turn 23 until May of 2026. There were many players drafted in the summer older than Jabari. He should still be in a high growth phase of his career. He is probably your second most versatile defender, after Amen. He received a contract extension, but it has not yet begun. Unless you are viewing him as a trade piece, he probably needs to play more than 30 minutes per game. Let’s be modest and say 32.

Now what? The Rockets have the following players more than capable of playing, and in some cases at their best, playing power forward: Tari Eason, Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jae’Sean Tate and Amen Thompson. For this exercise, Kevin Durant is a small forward, which we’ll cover tomorrow.

So who plays the other 16 minutes at power forward. It might be Sengun, if you want more Steven Adams or Clint Capela at center, but let’s ignore that for now as a sometime, match up dependent, idea.

Let’s have Dorian Finney-Smith play those 16 minutes, with the likes of Tate and Green really being an energy boost unit, change of pace, group.

So as we finish up the frontcourt players, we have minutes for Sengun, Adams/Capela, Jabari Smith and Dorian Finney-Smith. Despite Tari Eason maybe being best at power forward, he’s not playing there. Perhaps the Rockets are sometimes positionless at SG/SF/PF? They might choose to be. They might have to be.

Looking at that group, only Smith and Finney Smith can be considered shooters, unless Alpie can find the form from three he showed sometimes in Eurobasket 2025. IF he does, the Rockets become terrifying. If Jabari Smith gets better at just catching and shooting over guys, rather than going on a multi dribble drive to nowhere, the Rockets are much better. If anyone can help Jabari do that, perhaps its the presence, or at least the example, of Kevin Durant. Dorian Finney-Smith is a good 3pt shooter, career 36%, but around 40% or better in the past three seasons, on decent volume of about 5 attempts per game.

If the Rockets need to make a trade from depth, it’s probably in this group, or including small forward as well.

Tomorrow I’ll cover the wings, and minutes there. This position is a minutes scramble, with too many eligible players, as so many guys can reliably handle the traditional power forward spot, and the Rockets have an emerging star, and recent All Star, center, and two other players worthy of minutes at the spot.

As we move onward, it’s less a scramble and more of a question, maybe a problem. The Rockets have the C/PF area covered though.

Happy Media Day – The Rockets play basketball again in about one week!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ckets-minutes-post-fvv-injury-the-front-court
 
Rockets Media Day kicks off 2025-2026 training camp

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Houston Rockets Media Day is the kickoff of NBA Training Camp this season. Traditionaly, you’ve been able to catch all things Meda Day at Rockets.com. The start time is 11am CST.

This is in advance of the NBA Preseason kickoff for the Rockets on Monday, October 6 versus at home versus the Atlanta Hawks and the Season Opener on October 21 at Oklahoma City.

In the meantime, use this thread to talk all things Media Day!

Welcome back, Rockets basketball!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ts-media-day-kicks-of-2025-2026-training-camp
 
Kevin Durant “sees himself signing” an extension with the Rockets

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The much-anticipated Houston Rockets media day took place on Monday. All eyes were on the birthday boy and newest superstar to arrive in H-Town, Kevin Durant. Houston Chronicle’s Rockets beat writer Danielle Lerner wasted no time asking the question most Rockets fans want to know.

(Danielle Lerner) – “What made you want to come play for this team, and do you see yourself signing a contract extension with the Rockets”

(Durant) – “I do see myself signing an extension with the Rockets… I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening.”

As answers go, it was far from confirmation that a deal is being worked on, but then again, Kevin Durant and the Rockets both have little incentive to show their hand right now. From the Rockets perspective, their main goal is to compete while maintaining financial flexibility. Kevin Durant knows that he’s both making $54.7 million this upcoming season and baring a massive drop of in the quality of his play, he will be an unrestricted free agent who will likely command top dollar from either the Rockets or someone else.

With the loss of Fred VanVleet for the season, the outlook of Kevin Durant’s role on this team has changed. In what was supposed to be a season where he just “showed up to hoop”, he now finds himself in a position where he will be counted upon to provide more leadership in the locker room and on the court. While sometimes his “inability” to be a leader had been massively overblown, there is some merit to the idea that being a vocal leader, a motivator, or an extension of the coach on the floor are not top priorities to KD. He leads by example by his relentless work ethic, and as a teammate, if you don’t want to fall in line with what he’s doing, that’s on you.

Kevin Durant isn’t here to mentor young players, he’s not here to develop upcoming stars. He’s here to play basketball and hopefully win a lot of games. It will be interesting to see how he handles it if more than that is asked of him. For the Rockets and their faithful fans, the good news is he is coming into a situation where the culture has been established, the expectations from Ime Udoka are known, and it’s a culture and expectation that Durant is familiar with. Alperen Sengun won’t need much motivation from KD, he’s played for Udoka for two seasons now, so he knows what time it is when he steps on the floor. The same for Amen, Jabari, Tari, and all the bench players who have been here for a while now.

The only question mark is how far will the team go without a true veteran point-guard? Even with arguably the greatest scorer of all-time, the answer to that may be a determining factor in whether KD wants to stay in Houston, or whether the Rockets want to keep him. I could be wrong, and perhaps a deal gets done before the season starts, but if I were in charge, I would play a little bit of “wait-and-see”. Especially with VanVleet out. If the team is able to overcome the loss of their starting point guard and still have a successful season, one that ends with at minimum, a playoff appearance and hopefully a run, then I can see both sides wanting to run it back again with a more complete roster that includes Fred VanVleet.

On the other hand, if Fred’s leadership or lack thereof is too much for this team to overcome, we may see Kevin Durant suiting up for his sixth team and the Rockets looking for someone else to spend the money they would have given Durant. Rockets fans are still hopeful for a successful season from the Rockets, despite now heading into the new campaign missing three of the five starters from the previous 52-win campaign. It won’t be easy, but that’s why we love the NBA and why the anticipation of a new season is so exciting. If all goes as we hope, I have maintained I’m okay with the Rockets bringing Durant back… for the right price. If he hangs another banner in Toyota Center? Then Tilman Fertitta can put his name on the lease for all I care. Go Rockets!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ia-day-ime-udoka-amen-thompson-alperen-sengun
 
Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Isaiah Crawford/JD Davison/Kevon Harris

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Our 2025-2026 Houston Rockets Player Preview series starts off with a complete recalibration of Rockets two-way players. Out with the old, in with the new on the two-way set.

Isaiah Crawford


The 23-year-old Crawford, who stands 6’6”, went undrafted, but linked up with the Sacramento Kings last season as one of their two-way players. He played in 15 games with the Kings, averaging just 3.3 minutes per contest.

In the G League, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks per game on 50.2 percent shooting from the floor and 44.7 percent from three. It’s nice to finally see some youth in Houston’s two-way group, as last year’s crew were mostly older, not something I think is hugely benefiical with two-ways. The Rockets are going younger now, and that’s a good thing.

JD Davison


The 22-year-old Davison was drafted by the Celtics in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft. He played on a two-way deal in Boston before being converted to a standard deal by the Celtics in 2025.

Davison a 6’1” point guard who’s played in just 36 total games over the three seasons of his NBA career, never averaging more than 5.8 minutes per contest. He carries career averages of 1.9 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game on 38.5 percent shooting from the field and 28.1 percent from beyond the arc.

He did have some good G League numbers, averaging 25.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep.

The Rockets stay young with Davison, who you never know might see a little varsity run after the Fred VanVleet injury, specifically if Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard or Aaron Holiday miss any time.

Kevon Harris​


Harris also went undrafted, but has been on an exhibit 10 deal with the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks, as well as a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic.

Harris is a little older, at 28, and did play in 34 games with the Magic in the 2022-2023 season, averaging 4.1 points and 2.1 boards in 13.4 minutes per night.

Last year in the G League, he averaged 19.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.6 steals per night, while also shooting 44 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep.

So there you have it. That’s your two-way group for this season. Are you happy about the changes to this group? Tell us in the comments.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...views-isaiah-crawford-jd-davison-kevon-harris
 
Dorian Finney-Smith’s Rockets season debut date in question

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Dorian Finney-Smith was a top offseason acquisition for the Houston Rockets. Following point guard Fred VanVleet’s ACL tear at preseason training camp, Finney-Smith is anticipated to miss games at the beginning of the season while he recovers from ankle surgery. This is another blow to the Rockets’ depth.

In order to treat a persistent issue that he said had plagued him for the previous two years, veteran wing Finney-Smith, who departed the Lakers and signed with the Rockets in free agency, underwent surgery on his left ankle in June. Finney-Smith stated during Monday’s Rockets media day that he was running and will be ready “soon,” but he did not provide a return date.

Finney-Smith will “probably not” be ready for the season start on October 21, according to Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who stated on Wednesday that Finney-Smith is cleared for restricted on-court exercises.

Udoka stated, “No contact, but doing all the shooting and other things with treatment as well during practice,” adding that he does not know how many games Finney-Smith would miss.

Finney-Smith claimed that by trying to play through the ailment, he made it worse.

“I probably made the injury worse because my nut-ass don’t want to sit down, excuse my language,” added the man. “I may need to be rescued from myself. And I’d probably be in a better place now if someone had told me to relax two years ago. But, as a hard-nosed guy, that’s what brought me here, so sometimes the things that bring you to this point can also cause you pain. I’m discovering that sometimes it’s important to pay attention to your body.”

After hitting a career-high 41.1% from beyond the arc while playing for the Mavericks and the Lakers, Finney-Smith was brought in to help the Rockets, who finished as one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams the previous season. However, Houston now faces the possibility of starting the season without Finney-Smith and VanVleet, two of its best perimeter shooters and defenders. This would further limit the ability of guys like Reed Sheppard, Kevin Durant, and Jabari Smith Jr. to give a shooting boost.

The Rockets are also managing the workloads of center Steven Adams and forward Tari Eason. Neither played in back-to-back games during the regular season while recovering from surgery, Adams on his right knee and Eason on his lower left leg. The Rockets’ first set of back-to-back games isn’t until Dec. 5 and 6, but Udoka said that early on, the team might be cautious about playing Adams and Eason on consecutive nights.

The news is not all bad, though, as in the short term, Finney-Smith’s injury does open up more playing time for Smith, who was set to compete with Finney-Smith during training camp for a starting spot. It also clears a path to increased minutes for Eason, and further down in the rotation for Jeff Green and Jae’Sean Tate. Less clear is who will replace VanVleet in the starting lineup, and whether Udoka will prioritize length or another ball handler to play alongside Amen Thompson.

Smith started the first 33 games of the 2024-25 season for the Rockets, but then broke his hand and came off the bench for the remainder of the season. Smith said this week that Udoka had not talked to him about if he will be in the starting lineup. Eason said he desires an elevated offensive role after he came off the bench in 41 of his 57 games played last season. Udoka said Eason will be in contention for a starting position during training camp, but the starting lineup is very much in flux.

With all that said, what do you think about the injury news? Will this set the Rockets back at the start of the year? Who are you looking at to step up, and as always, GO ROCKETS!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...n-rockets-houstoseason-debut-date-in-question
 
Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Aaron Holiday

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Aaron Holiday was the Houston Rockets’ last free agent signing in 2023, which typically indicates a looming minimal role for a player. Much like Josh Okogie, who was the Rockets’ final signing this summer, who isn’t expected to garner much playing time this season.

Holiday was brought in at the request of Rockets coach Ime Udoka, who was tasked with adding proven veterans to a Rockets team, at the time, that largely mirrored an AAU team.

Along with Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green that same summer– two of which have championship experience.

Holiday has operated as an emergency option, playing spot minutes when players have rested on back-to-backs or in blowouts, when the games have largely been decided. Or in the case of an injury to starting point guard Fred VanVleet.

Which, brings me to my next point.

VanVleet’s fateful ACL injury has left the Rockets largely without answers. They don’t quite have the ability to add an external body.

They don’t have any vacant roster spots and are $1.2 million away from being hard-capped, which isn’t quite enough to offer the vet minimum. The only other point guards on the roster are Reed Sheppard and Holiday.

Sheppard is in line for an increased role — we’ve heard it all summer. Amen Thompson will log a significant amount of minutes at the point, along with the wing, as he’s been mainly used to this point.

They can’t get all of the point guard minutes.

Holiday will play quite a bit more than the 12.8 minutes that he received last season.

He’s a proven three-point shooter at the NBA level. In fact, he and VanVleet were the Rockets’ best shooters last season, at 39.8 percent from three, albeit on a low number of attempts (2.9). The year before, in his debut season with the Rockets, he made 38.7 percent of his long-range attempts (2.8).

The Rockets ranked in the bottom ten in long-range shooting and failed to add experienced three-point specialists, relying instead on organic growth and improvement. Holiday’s shooting could help soften the blow of the absence of VanVleet’s three-point shooting.

Yes, I know, they are very different players. Holiday doesn’t have VanVleet’s playmaking chops.

At all.

In fact, he’s typically not looking to get his teammates involved, rather seeking to score. But on a team devoid of shooting, his fringe 40 percent from three might prove beneficial in an increased role.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...ts-2025-2026-nba-player-preview-aaron-holiday
 
Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Josh Okogie

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Josh Okogie, the 6-foot 4-inch guard out of Georgia Tech, enters his eighth NBA season with now his fourth team, the Houston Rockets. Say what you will, to be in the league for eight seasons is nothing to shake a stick at. Since being drafted number 20 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, he has made a name for himself as a tenacious and versatile defender. Rockets fans may remember this sequence from a couple of years ago.

Okogie has the athleticism to guard just about anyone on the perimeter, which will be a welcome sight for a team that has lost two of its better perimeter defenders in Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green. Not to mention, Fred VanVleet’s missing for the season, and although his size at times put him at a disadvantage, he never lacked in defensive effort. That being said, Okogie is fairly low on the depth chart, but he may see some run. Especially since KD is not likely to play 82 games, or anything close to it.

Okogie averaged over a steal per game last season for the Phoenix Suns and the Charlotte Hornets, in 15 minutes per game he averages 7.1 points and 2.8 rebounds. For a “Three-and-D” guy, you’d like for his “three” to be a little bit better. He shoots 29.9 percent for his career; however, he did shoot a career-high 35.5 percent from the arc last season. Having experience playing with Kevin Durant may well be why he’s here in the first place, and that’s okay with me. As long as he can stay healthy and be a contributing factor as a new member of the “Stay Ready Crew”, I love the pick-up.

Josh Okogie is the kind of player all teams need. Plays hard, does the dirty work, doesn’t complain. Just shows up to work with his lunch pale and does his job. He seems to be just the kind of guy Rockets head coach, Ime Udoka loves. Statistically, and with the effort he brings to the court, he is very similar to another member of the stay ready crew, who I will also be previewing, right here on TDS! Let’s see if the Dream Shakers can guess. Stay blessed and… GO ROCKETS!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...craig-ackerman-phoenix-suns-charlotte-hornets
 
Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Jeff Green

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Uncle Jeff is back again this season. Jeff Green signed a one-year, $3.3 million veteran’s minimum deal in the offseason, and comes back to the Rockets as a jack of all trades. Green’s primary job is that of a team chemistry veteran, with the 39-year-old earning his “Unc” moniker over 17 years in the league and 11 different teams. He’s also a former teammate of Kevin Durant, and keeping him around for another season seemed like a wise move with so many young players still on this Rockets team. He’s also a popular, stabalizing force in the locker room, though with the Rockets already dealing with injury concerns, he could see a little bit of action as well.

Green is still capable. Last year, he averaged 5.4 points and 1.8 rebounds on 50.4 percent shooting from the field and 36.7 percent from deep. He played in 32 games, starting 3, and he averaged 12.4 minutes per contest. Green can perform in small bursts, doing some dirty work, hitting open shots, and being a threat from range. As part of Houston’s back bench, his job was to stay ready and be the same stabalizing force on the court as he was in the locker room.

With Fred VanVleet out for the season and Dorian Finney-Smith not likely to play to start the season, we may be seeing some more of Unc this year, particularly on nights when Durant sits and there’s another forward spot open. Green is still in fantastic shape. And with several more young Rockets looking to take a step forward this season, particularly Reed Sheppard, who is tight with Green in the locker room, his mentorship skills will likely be needed more than ever as well. It’s another season for Uncle Jeff, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t his last one either.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...kets-2025-2026-nba-player-previews-jeff-green
 
Houston Rockets vs. Atlanta Hawks preseason game preview

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The Houston Rockets kick off their 2025-26 season tonight at home in a preseason matchup with the Atanta Hawks.

Both of these teams had what many considered to be great offseasons. You already know what Houston did, but let’s briefly go over Atlanta’s moves.

First, they took advantage of Boston’s fire sale and traded for Kristaps Porzingis. That immediately gave them a stretch five to pair with Trae Young for the first time in his career. They also brought in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to provide shooting, which they lacked last season. The Hawks are hoping to take a big step into the vacuum that is the Eastern Conference. A top-4 finish is not too much of an ask.

Ime Udoka has said that he has four starters penciled in for this season, including Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. The fifth starter was supposed to be Fred VanVleet, but he’s out for the season with an ACL tear. Instead, Udoka will rotate others in the fifth spot depending on matchups or until someone earns it. The obvious early candidate is Reed Sheppard, who would give Houston a bit more shooting and some ball-handling.

For now, it’s just nice to see some NBA basketball. We’ve made it, folks.

Tip-off


7pm CT

How To Watch


Space City Home Network

Injury Report

Rockets


Dorian Finney-Smith: OUT (ankle)

Hawks


N/A

The Line (as of this post)


HOU -4

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can


Wednesday night in Houston against the Utah Jazz

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ckets-vs-atlanta-hawks-preseason-game-preview
 
Rockets win over Hawks 122-113 in first preseason game

Alperen Sengun Shoots A Three Pointer


No KD? No Fred VanVleet? DFS looking like CFS? No problem!

Tonight the Rockets took the court for the first competition of the 2025-26 NBA season, or rather for preseason. There will be only 3 more of these tune up games for the Rockets, one nice thing about starting the NBA season earlier than Halloween night.

An Atlanta Hawks team bolstered by the return of Jalen Johnson, and the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and former Rocket, N’Faly Dante were in town. This Hawks team looks like it could go a long way in the Achilles Riddled, or Riddled Achilles, L’Eastern Conference. It’s a good team, with less being asked of Trae Young, besides facilitating, at which he excels. He should have more time to work on his flopping, without having to score as much thanks to Porzingis, NAW and perhaps a better Zaccharie Risacher.

But enough about the Hawks. How did the Rockets look? In a word: good. This game was so choppy, due to preseason rust, and weird linups and player combos we might never see again, I think it best to just describe some player performances.

Alperen Sengun continued to show the form he displayed in Turkey’s undefeated run to the EuroBasket final, a form that if it holds, and he gets enough minutes, should at least put him on the fringes of the MVP conversation and into 2nd team All NBA. Alpie scored an easy looking 19pts in 17 minutes, and threw in 6 rebounds and 6 assists, on 5-7 shooting, including 2-2 from three, with an easy looking shooting form. He also managed 2 blocks. He truly looked like the best player on the court the whole time he played. In general he looks not only stronger, but faster and more fluid.

Reed Sheppard looked like an NBA point guard. A young one, maybe, but a real one. He only went 2-6 shooting, but also spent a lot of time off ball, and trying to create on secondary actions. The Rockets seemed to focus on Amen running point to a real extent, to mixed results. The offense looked better with Reed at the helm, and it looked best with Point Sengun running the show as he did for Turkey.

Amen Thompson’s attempt at point guarding wasn’t entirely successful, in fact he tried to force a number of passes off his drives that would have been better as shot attempts, but largely ended up part of his 3 turnovers to 3 assists. The rest of his offense looked great, though.

Jabari Smith started, and looked much, much, better on his drives. He attacked with force, and authority, rather than the drives to nowhere. Perhaps playing with his boyhood idol, Kevin Durant, is already paying dividends? Jabari shot a somewhat unlucky 3-8, but 2-4 from three point range, and he grabbed 6 rebounds.

Tari Eason also looked good, though some of his 5-8 shooting came on some unlikely makes. He went 5-8 and had six rebounds and two assists and 10 in only 11 minutes.

Beyond the starters, with Tari or Jabari starting in place of KD, we did see some new and new/old additions, even without Dorian Finney-Smith. Josh Okogie scored 8 points on 0-1 official shot attempts, as he attacked aggressively and drew fouls. He went 8-10 from the free throw line, and also showed why he’s considered a top one on one defender. He contributed 3 boards, 2 blocks and a steal in his odd 17 minutes.

We also saw our grown up Baby Deer, Clint Capela, the Rampant Stag. He remains a very effective player around the basket, going 4-5, with 5rbs and a block in his 18 minutes.

Steven Adams did Steven Adams things, set screens, had as many offensive as defensive rebounds, two nice assists, and oh, yeah, a thunderous dunk.

JD Davison looked good in his minutes, and if he plays close to like he did tonight 17pts on 6-9 shooting, 5-7 from three point range, and 3 rebounds and 4 assists in 22 minutes perhaps he’ll take the backup guard job from…

Aaron Holiday, who, ah, didn’t shoot it well, going 2-12 in 20 minutes, so he was getting shots up. He had 3 assists and 3 turnovers and it was generally an unconvincing night from Ime’s third favorite security blanket. As we have previously observed, if he’s making shots, he’s playable, if he isn’t, he’s really not.

I’m not really going to describe the two-way guys, though I liked what I saw from Crawford, because aside from Davison it’s hard to see them getting anything more than sporadic garbage minutes. Jae’Sean Tate sat tonight, presumably to give some of these guys a chance at minutes.

That’s about all I can say about this one. Hoping to see Kevin Durant next game, on Wednesday.

No. Poll.

I’m sorry.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...in-over-hawks-122-113-in-first-preseason-game
 
The Rockets have a chance to reap sweet poetic justice

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It was King Pyrrhus of Epirus who said, “Another such victory and we are lost,” after his men defeated the Romans in battle in 279 BC.

Well, at least the quote is attributed to him. I’m skeptical of any history from more than, say, a millennium ago. Let’s try again.

It was King Harden of Houston who said, “This situation is crazy, and it can’t be fixed”. That one is easily verified with video proof. His proclamation came on the heels of the “micro ball” Rockets. The team’s decision to unlock Russell Westbrook’s offense by flipping Clint Capela for Robert Covington and starting the 6’5” P.J. Tucker at the 5 should be classified as a Pyrrhic victory:

They won, but at what cost?

The micro-Rockets looked good until they ran into the macro-Lakers. Shockingly, a group of guys who’d stand just a little bit taller than your rec league squad couldn’t overcome an army of behemoths. The Los Angeles’ jumbo-sized lineups taught the Rockets an ancient basketball truth: Big is good. The Lakers grabbed an astonishing 25.4% of their possible offensive rebounds in this series. More opportunities to shoot equal more shots. It’s a simplified, brutally effective version of basketball.

Luckily for the 2025-26 Rockets, it’s a good strategy.

Rockets built to bludgeon opponents​


In 2024-25, the Rockets had a 36.3% Offensive Rebounding Percentage. That’s the highest mark in NBA history.

In 2025-26, they’ll be even bigger.

Have you looked at this depth chart? There is a distinct lack of guards. With Fred VanVleet sidelined, it’s just Reed Sheppard and Aaron Holiday. That sounds like a problem:

It doesn’t have to be.

The same philosophical mechanisms that led to micro ball then lead us to the solution today: positionless basketball. What is a guard? If a wing brings the ball past the half-court and there’s no audience to witness it, does the ball still get past the half-court?

Amen Thompson should start in the backcourt. Kevin Durant can play the 2. Why can’t Tari Eason? Is Josh Okogie even tall enough to play for the 2025-26 Rockets? The Rockets can have a size advantage every night. Just imagine the lineup possibilities:

C: Alperen Sengun

PF: Jabari Smith Jr.

SF: Kevin Durant

SG: Tari Eason

PG: Amen Thompson


Not big enough for you? OK.

C: Steven Adams

PF: Alperen Sengun

SF: Jabari Smith Jr.

SG: Kevin Durant

PG: Amen Thompson


You want to get nuts? You really want to release your inhibitions? Behold!

C: Steven Adams

PF: Clint Capela

SF: Alperen Sengun

SG: Jabari Smith Jr.

PG: Kevin Durant


Am I joking? I think so. Kind of? Would it kill Udoka to run this for a few minutes and see what happens? We once thought that the sun revolved around the Earth. What if this lineup is a revelation? What if five years from now, teams are wondering why anyone ever ran sub-7-footers at the highest level of competition?

Could the Rockets change basketball?

The Rockets will need guard play​


Let’s curb our enthusiasm a little bit. Everybody calm down.

Size is an advantage in basketball. That was true when the Rockets tried to circumvent it, and it’s true today. Microball was born out of desperation. It was a last-ditch effort to right the unconscionable wrongness of the Chris Paul-for-Russell Westbrook swap.

When the Rockets set out to build the current team, they had a blank slate. They could build any team they wanted (within reason). Yet here they are again. God forbid the Houston Rockets just run a balanced, conventionally excellent basketball team. We’re forever the mad scientists trying to find an undiscovered formula. The Rockets have a long-standing organizational impetus to look for an edge.

This is a better edge than that one. Size is good in basketball because the game is about putting an orange sphere through a metal ring that hangs higher than (almost) anyone can touch without jumping. Height puts you closer to the ring. Strength helps you push people away from the ring.

The ability to go small retains value. Five-out lineups that lean into space and mobility are useful. The Rockets can do that too:

C: Jabari Smith Jr.

PF: Kevin Durant

SF: Tari Eason

SG: Amen Thompson

PG: Reed Sheppard


Look at that. Everyone but Smith Jr. (who’s tall enough, but just a bit slight of frame) and Sheppard is above positionally average size, and everyone but Thompson can shoot. Even when the Rockets go small, they’re big.

Recall the team that was really the catalyst for microball. The Warriors changed the sport by simply recognizing that putting a 6’7” Draymond Green at the 5 yielded advantages. It was a marvel of modern engineering.

It would have amounted to nothing if not for a certain 6’1” -ish Golden Angel of Divine Order’s ability to hit a three from 100 feet away, blindfolded with his legs tied together without changing his form.

(Still angry).

The point here is that guard play still matters. Or, perhaps the point is that the only edge worth pursuing is being better than your opponent. Nabakov said it best: “There is only one school: that of talent.”

The Rockets may suffer from a lack of ball-handling. They may make so much of their rebounding edge as to render that disadvantage relatively moot. One thing is certain:

If they can win an NBA championship by being bigger than everyone, they can cast a shadow over 2019-20.

(Ps. I’m back! For readers who remember me: I missed it here so badly, y’all. It’s good to be home. For readers that don’t: I’m the guy that always said Alperen Sengun was a can’t-miss star. Remember that! Most people in the comments doubted him, but not me.)

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...ts-have-a-chance-to-reap-sweet-poetic-justice
 
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz preseason game preview

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Tonight, Houston Rockets fans will finally get to see Kevin Durant play in a Rockets jersey.

The storylines here are endless. Besides the on-court aspects of bringing in a player that fills Houston’s largest need, there’s the beauty in bringing a University of Texas legend into the fold. KD also completes Houston’s quest to employ each of OKC’s original Big Three. Finally, his presence on the team spells the end of the rebuild. Last year’s Rockets squad forced the hand of Rafael Stone, and Houston spent four seasons out of the playoffs before returning. There are a lot of teams that would kill for such a quick turnaround.

Speaking of, the Utah Jazz haven’t gone more than four seasons without playoff basketball. That’s mightily impressive, especially when you look at the factors that would seemingly hold them back. In addition to being a small market, they’re not a destination for free agents and have had to build their teams through the draft and trades. They’re currently in the “Let’s see what we have” phase of the rebuild, with Lauri Markkanen being the obvious best player on the team with lots of youth. Markkanen will probably be traded for Jonathan Kuminga despite Golden State’s protestations that they have no interest in trading Kuminga, and Danny Ainge will probably do it for a protected first despite playing hardball with every other team in his front office tenures.

Utah’s draft this year netted them Ace Bailey, Walter Clayton Jr., and John Tonje. Utah hasn’t played a preseason game yet so we don’t know exactly how Will Hardy will play this. What we do know is that for some reason, last year’s Utah Jazz played their best basketball against Houston (and no one else). Sometimes matchups make fights, I guess.

It won’t be long until these teams meet again. They play on November 30 and December 1 (Houston’s first back-to-back of the season), with both games in Salt Lake City.

Tip-off


7pm CT

How To Watch


Space City Home Network

Injury Report

Rockets


Dorian Finney-Smith: OUT (ankle)

Steven Adams: OUT (rest)

Tari Eason: QUESTIONABLE

Jazz


N/A

The Line (as of this post)


N/A

Check here for updates

Looking ahead because we can


Tuesday night in New Orleans against the Pelicans

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...n-rockets-vs-utah-jazz-preseason-game-preview
 
KD drops 20 in his pre-season debut; Rockets beat the Jazz 140-127

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Defense has been optional in the Houston Rockets first two pre-season games, and that was no exception on Wednesday night, as the Rockets and Utah Jazz both shot well over 50-percent from the floor. However, the Rockets continued their dominance on the offensive boards with 19 and made 16 more free-throws than the Jazz, which ultimately led to a 140-127 win for the home team.

Alright, we all know why you’re here though. Kevin Durant made his preseason debut for the Rockets and as expected he was awesome. KD dropped in 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, including 1-for-2 from three-point range, and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. In only 23 minutes played, it’s obvious Kevin Durant is still that dude. He did turn the ball over three times in contrast to his one assist; however, we can chalk that up to maybe a little rust and him still building chemistry with his new teammates.

Some of Durant’s new teammates were really impressive as well. Alperen Sengun scored 13 points to match his 13 assists, to go along with 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 27 minutes played. Most importantly he only had one turnover, as it appears in the absence of Fred VanVleet, Alpi will be doing a lot of the distribution as the offense runs through him.

Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson scored 18 and 19 points respectively. Amen Thompson added six assists with only one turnover as well. Ball security is going to be the name of the game for Amen as he finds himself also handling the ball a lot more in the absence of VanVleet and for Jabari it will be knocking down open shots, and he did that going 3-of-5 from the three-point line, going 7-for-11 overall.

The Rockets started Reed Sheppard at Point Guard for the second game in a row and he played well. 11 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting including 2-of-4 from the arc. He only turned the ball over twice, but I’m sure his coach would prefer he clean that up as Reed is best positioned to replace Fred VanVleet in the starting lineup if he can continue improving his game with good decision making and being aggressive on the offensive end.

All in all, the Rockets have a long way to go before they are “regular season ready”, but they have looked good offensively for the most part. Defensively they have given up far too many good looks from the three-point line. The Jazz shot 44-percent from three-point range in this game, far from looking like the stelar three-point defenders they were last season. The good news is all those things are fixable, and we can trust head coach Ime Udoka will do just that.

Looking at the fringe of the roster, I am very impressed by JD Davison after two pre-season games. Just 8 points, 2 assists, and 3 rebounds on the night on 3-of-7 shooting in 17 minutes but, he was a +17 on the floor and even got some run with the other starters. In two games played averaging 18 minutes per game, he has only turned the ball over once. I like his overall game and if he can knock down open shots consistently it’s going to be hard for Ime to keep him off the floor.

It’s always good to see the Rockets on the big side of the scoreboard, even in the pre-season. The Rockets will not play again until October 14th, when they take on the New Orleans Pelicans on the road before heading to Atlanta for the final pre-season game of 2025. You know as always, we will have all the coverage you need right here on TDS! Go Rockets!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...nba-kevin-durant-amen-thompson-alperen-sengun
 
Is JD Davison the back-up point guard the Rockets need?

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Although the Houston Rockets went all in this past offseason, the overarching concern had been their lack of guard depth. The Rockets had just Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, and Aaron Holiday at the point, although they loaded up on wings and big men.

Sheppard was viewed as a question mark, based on his showings as a rookie, and Holiday has always been an emergency alternative. That calculus looks a bit different now, with VanVleet out of commission with a torn ACL.

Sheppard now is jockeying for a starting role in the lineup, and Holiday seems like a lock for 20-23 minutes per night. Amen Thompson can fill in some, but with all that’s on his plate, the Rockets don’t seem likely to ask him to initiate the offense full-time.

Much of the talk has been about the Rockets’ need to add an additional body at the point guard spot. We’ve even heard speculation about a potential Russell Westbrook reunion, although the Rockets don’t have a roster spot to offer him, nor do they have the cap space.

However, after the early showings from the Rockets’ preseason (which is now halfway over), that player may already be on the roster.

The name’s Davison. JD Davison.

The 23-year-old Alabama product didn’t come with much fanfare when the Rockets signed him to a two-way deal. Then again, VanVleet wasn’t injured at the time.

Just a handful of years ago, Davison was one of the top prep players in the country. Just a year ago, he was THE top player in the G-League, nabbing MVP after averaging 25.1 points, 7.6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 48.3 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from deep, and 74.2 percent from the charity stripe.

But you can only put so much stock into the G-League.

This preseason, however, Davison has done a little bit of everything. We’ve seen him drive to the lane and throw the occasional lob, we’ve seen him get out on the break in transition for the highlight dunk, and more importantly (and most consistently), dude has been lighting it up from three.

I mean, an absolute flame-thrower.

(But you should only put so much stock into the preseason also).

You just can’t ignore what he’s done thus far. In the Rockets’ preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks, the man couldn’t miss.

He kept knocking down threes, to the tune of 5-of-7 from deep (and 6-of-9 from the floor) and scored 17 points in just 22 minutes. Against the Utah Jazz, Davidson cut down his long-range attempts, but his court vision and high IQ was still on display.

Through two games, Davidson is averaging 12.5 points, 56.3 percent from the field, 54.5 percent from three, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 0.5 turnovers.

He’s been shooting well, defending well, and protecting the ball. Sound familiar?

Look, it’s just the preseason, so the level of competition has to factor in some. I’m old enough to remember Chris Clemons lighting it up in the Summer League and preseason, only for it not to continue during the regular season.

But desperate times call for desperate measures. And Davidson has legitimately looked good.

He certainly has more upside than Aaron Holiday, who would ideally not be playing 20 minutes on a team with championship aspirations. And he brings more to the table than Holiday, preseason or not.

Ime Udoka has to be thinking long and hard about making Davison the back-up point guard for the Rockets, behind Sheppard (although he’s been outplaying him too, thus far in the preseason).

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/rocke...-back-up-point-guard-the-houston-rockets-need
 
Rockets 2025-2026 NBA player previews: Jae’Sean Tate

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While the injury to Fred VanVleet has been rightfully in the preseason headlines, there are some more under the radar injuries the Houston Rockets are dealing with, including the longest-tenured Rocket, the 6-foot 4-inch combo forward out of Ohio State, Jae’Sean Tate.

Jae’Sean has dealt with injuries often during his Rockets career, but when he’s been available, he has been a model of consistency. You know what you’re going to get from Jae’Sean Tate. Ime Udoka will not ever have to bench Tate for not giving consistent effort, you will never see Tate complaining about not getting playing time. He had the opportunity to leave the Rockets in free agency but decided he wanted to see the journey through to it’s completion, which he hopes, along with the rest of us, will culminate in an NBA championship. He is the ultimate “Ime Udoka Guy”.

Jae’Sean’s career production looks very close to one of the newest Rockets, Josh Okogie. Averaging 8.3 points-per-game, 2.3 rebounds, shooting 47.3 percent from the field including 34.8 percent from the three-point line. Similar to Okogie, his defense is his superpower so there is always a chance he is going to find his way onto the court. The depth of the team likely means that Tate will again be the captain of the “Stay Ready Crew”, and Rockets fans couldn’t ask for a better player to be in that position for the price that Tate commands.

The key to Tate being a contributor to the Rockets aspiration of a championship, as always, is going to depend on his health. If he can stay healthy, then he will have opportunities. Kevin Durant hasn’t played 82 games in a season since 2010. Inevitably, there will be other injuries that open up minutes for Tate and that’s why having him on the roster is such a luxury. So, if you happen to be reading this Jae’Sean… take your vitamins, drink your protein shakes, and stretch a lot… maybe some Pilates? Stay ready young man, we got a trophy to win!

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/houst...ime-udoka-kevin-durant-josh-okogie-ohio-state
 
How to make sure The Dream Shake shows up in your Google search

As many of you are likely aware, Google searches are … different these days.

The good news is Google is offering a solution for folks who like to get their news from specific sources. If you want to help The Dream Shake — while also streamlining all your Google searches — there is now a way.

Simply click on this link and add The Dream Shake as one of your “Source preferences.” That’s all there is to it!

Back in August, the tech giant debuted a feature called “Preferred Sources.” It’s a way for Google to prominently feature the results from websites you trust, like The Dream Shake:

“With the launch of Preferred Sources in the U.S. and India, you can select your favorite sources and stay up to date on the latest content from the sites you follow and subscribe to — whether that’s your favorite sports blog or a local news outlet. …

When you select your preferred sources, you’ll start to see more of their articles prominently displayed within Top Stories, when those sources have published fresh and relevant content for your search.“

As some of you might know, AI searches are hurting outlets around the world and in all spaces. We’ve worked hard at The Dream Shake to build a brand with compelling Rockets content that makes you think. For all these years, you know you can trust and rely on us for Rockets coverage. After all, we’re all Rockets fans, just like you.

If you’re a fan of our work and want to get the best Rockets coverage possible, this is an excellent win-win to improve your Google searches while helping The Dream Shake out.

Source: https://www.thedreamshake.com/gener...he-dream-shake-shows-up-in-your-google-search
 
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