By Angel Rivera 
NBA twitter fans have been talking crazy about the Rockets like they’re a G-League team,
especially Laker fans. Meanwhile their team hasn’t been so hot lately, especially when they lost
Bron. Kinda crazy they need a 40 year old to win them games (not even the best team in Cali).
Ok maybe that’s a stretch but I’ve seen enough of the slander about Houston considering we
have literally won 11 of our last 12 games and have been skyrocketing to establish the 2nd
seed. The trio of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and the genetic freak Amen Thompson. Just
last week I was actually at the Heat game against the Rockets and I got to witness the
suffocation of Thompson because he was going insane on the defensive end, literally wouldn’t
let the Heat offense breath including Tyler Herro. Looks like Thompson got the last laugh after
all with his performance.
Jalen Green deserves his flowers, this man has been very well this year for the Rockets. I like to
call him ” MJ with the braids” but he’s a skywalker. His drive game is without a doubt top 10 in
the NBA. It seems as if he just finds a way to get downhill so easily with finesse. Even when he
takes ludicrous shots that seem impossible to make, they just seem to go in and you’re just like
“how on earth is that a made basket”. He’s now enhancing his skill to slowly grow into a 2-way
player which wasn’t even in consideration his first 2-3 seasons. Just last night against the Jazz,
he became the 6th youngest player to have 6,000 career points, 1,200 rebounds, and 1,000
assists. He also came through in the 4th quarter when the score was 94-90 and closed it out for
the Rockets 121-110, having 8 points and 4 assists in the quarter. Alperen Sengun, also known
as Al-P, is their all star for a reason. This man can play the game at an elite level. Arguably in
my eyes a top 5 center currently. The difference when he’s on the court versus when he’s off is
a drastic difference that isn’t talked about enough. He put up 33 points and 11 rebounds in last
night’s win. Sengun and Green have been electric this year together, their chemistry has grown
and they are a huge part of why these Rockets are the 2nd seed in the West. Mind you not this
is a STACKED conference, just to even have a top 6 seed is going to be really tough as its only
a 6 game differential. Houston just needs 4 more wins this season to establish a playoff spot,
that way they avoid the play-in. Very early on in the year I was high on Houston taking a leap
from last season, they already are on pace to have a 52 win season, just last year they finished
with 41 wins. While everyone keeps sleeping on this team, I’ll continue to watch every game
with joy knowing that the growth is being shown.
One of the bigger struggles for this team has been without a doubt the offense. Usually when
you’re such a great defensive team, the offense will be more on the weaker side. Green for
some parts of the season has run the ball as the point guard and you can see how he has been
able to control the game way easier. How he reacts when the double comes on a pick and roll,
also being able to be patient and understand when to make the right reads instead of just
forcing a bad shot. Of course there will be times where he takes it upon himself to score, but
HELLO he’s their leading scorer and main scoring option, it almost makes sense to be a little
selfish at times. But under Ime Udoka, the maturity has risen for every young player on this
team. A player who I feel is highly underrated and could definitely start on this team is Tari
Eason. When he’s a starter they are 11-1. I highlighted early on him and Amen Thompson are
HELL on defense. He’s currently averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 points and 2 steals a game while
getting the starting spot. Just goes to show the depth of this team as anyone can realistically start, also the egos are all collectively in check while Dillon mentioned previously “Sometimes
you, sometimes me, and always us”. For the team to be this young with crucial vets to balance it
out, can really make a difference and have everyone on the same page.
So what’s the expectation for this Rockets unit heading into the playoffs? All fandom and love
aside, it’s going to be insanely difficult this year to win. When I say seeds 1-8 can all win the
West this year, I truly believe it. You have a young and prominent OKC team who historically
looks like one of the best teams we have seen. The Nuggets are already an established team
who you don’t want to bet against. The Grizzlies and Clippers are teams you can’t count out
either, Harden and Kawhi have been outstanding for the clips. Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
are also the leaders of that Grizzlies team who’s been tenacious this year. Minnesota can make
noise as well if they stay healthy. Notice how I’m not mentioning the Lakers? Almost seems as if
they aren’t good. Of course I’m only joking, the Lakers can still make a run because they have
Lebron and Luka. For as long as Lebron is on an NBA team, they have a chance to win, he’s the
GOAT. Then there’s the Golden State Warriors, who stole Jimmy Butler from us Heat fans. They
have had an outstanding stretch with Butler and Curry running the show. There’s plenty of
threats out in the West.
If there was ever a time to show the world anything can happen, this would be the year. Or as
Kevin Garnett yelled for joy in a post-game interview after the finals in 2008 “ANYTHINGS
POSSIBLEEEE”. Unless they shout out “WE DID IT!” like Jayson Tatum. Crickets….. just
crickets. There’s a big target on the Rockets back from every team in the West. For there to be
so much noise and opinion about how these Rockets will fare come playoff time, all you can do
is shut up and show up. I’m really intrigued to see how things matchup and it should be a very
upsetting playoffs to some if the Rockets go far. But just understand and remember that I told
you so.
Joel Perez