Houston THEY Have A Problem

As a new-age basketball fan, there’s constant slander about the modern game—especially
when it comes to defense, which many claim is a lost art. Social media is flooded with
comments accusing players of not defending and the league of being “fabricated.” Well, for
everyone over the age of 50, look no further than Texas’ own Dallas Mavericks! Just
kidding—we know Luka can’t defend anyone. But seriously, Houston, we have a problem.

So far, 22 games have passed, and the Rockets hold the 2nd seed in the West. When’s the last
time you’ve seen the Rockets as one of the top teams? It’s been years. If you’ve been keeping
up with how competitive the Western Conference is, you know all it takes is a few games to go
from 1st to 8th in just a week. The Rockets’ formula for winning games is simple: defense. They
boast the 2nd-highest defensive rating in the league, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Speaking of, the Rockets beat the Thunder in their last matchup, 119-116. Their ability to get
stops and score in transition has been vital, and their tenacity as a young group is exactly what
the league needs. Their rebounding has also been outstanding, ranking #1 in the league at 60
per game. Twenty-five percent of those are offensive rebounds, which lead to second-chance
points. Of course, the “old heads” won’t talk about this—according to them, the league lacks
defense (the same ’90s fans who couldn’t guard without fouling, but that’s a story for another
day). The two biggest disruptors on defense for the Rockets are none other than the “Terror
Twins”: Amen Thompson and Tari Eason.

Usually, when you think of “two,” the word “terrible” comes up. For the other 29 teams, Eason
and Thompson are indeed a terrible matchup. Their ability to anticipate offensive plays and shut
them down consistently is why they own that nickname. Coach Ime Udoka even mentioned that
Eason reminds him of a young Kawhi Leonard during his early Spurs days. Eason has a motor
that never stops, giving 100% every game. Meanwhile, Thompson uses his freakish athleticism
to be a pest on the ball and generate turnovers. And guess what? Both come off the bench.

The Rockets’ starting five is already strong, featuring Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Jabari Smith,
Dillon Brooks, and Alperen Sengun (aka “Baby Jokic”). Sengun was just awarded Western
Conference Player of the Week after averaging 21.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 9 assists while
leading the Rockets to a 3-0 record. Jalen Green is another guy who can score at will, leading
the team with just under 20 points per game. As much as Green shows potential, his
consistency still needs improvement to establish himself as the go-to guy. However, his defense
has improved, and he’s stepped up in key stretches when others struggled.

Fred VanVleet can be questionable at times, but he brings leadership and experience to the
table. Dillon Brooks is the wild card—he’s the guy everyone hates to play against but loves to
have on their team. Every contender needs a defensive wing, and Brooks understands his role
perfectly. Jabari Smith continues to show his potential, with improved shooting and a more
natural ability to create his own shot.

There have been trade rumors involving stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jimmy Butler
heading to Houston. Personally, I don’t see the point in breaking up this core. The chemistry is
building, and the team is rolling. Even without a clear-cut 26-30 PPG scorer, they’re thriving.

After all, they had that in James Harden and never won. This group is playing as an unselfish
unit, and the narrative that every bad game means a player should be traded needs to stop.
Jalen Green, for example, might have a rough shooting stretch, but he still impacts the game
with his downhill efficiency and defense—though the box score doesn’t show that. Fans need to
realize that not everything is about shot-making; young players who can defend at a high level
this early in their careers are rare and impressive. Giannis would be great, but giving up four
players and draft picks seems like too much at this point.

Amid all the player talk, the biggest upgrade by far has been Head Coach Ime Udoka. In his first
year coaching the Boston Celtics, he led them to the 2022 NBA Finals. Although they lost 4-2 to
the Golden State Warriors, it was an impressive debut. Fast forward to the 2023-24 season,
Udoka has brought that same winning mentality to Houston. After finishing last season 41-41,
including a 13-2 run to close the year, the Rockets carried that momentum into this season.
Udoka recently earned Western Conference Coach of the Month honors, and his defensive
mindset has transformed this team into a hard-nosed, disciplined squad. He’s now one of the
favorites to win Coach of the Year, and it’s no surprise.

The Rockets capped off a strong 3-1 record in the NBA Cup qualifiers and will face the Golden
State Warriors in the quarterfinals on December 11. If they stay hot, I see no reason why they
can’t win the whole Cup. Playoff talk, however, is a different atmosphere, and this young team
will need time to adjust. But one thing is clear: the league has been put on notice. The Rockets
are a team to watch not just this season, but for years to come. I see a championship coming to
Houston sooner rather than later.