Red Nation Hoops: A Houston Rockets Pod

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) give their thoughts on the conclusion of the 2025-26 Houston Rockets season. Topics include: -Salman's frustration with Rockets discourse this season -Is everyone overreacting? -Major changes needed? -Should Rafael Stone be fired? -Is a coaching shakeup needed? Can Udoka be trusted? -Should Houston trade Kevin Durant? -Does Durant even wa...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: -Kevin Durant’s new extension with the Rockets -Tari Eason reportedly declining $100 million from Houston -Fred VanVleet’s season-ending ACL injury -How do the Rockets look without VanVleet in the first two games? -Should the 0-2 start be a cause for concern? -How can Houston make up for VanVleet’s absence? + more Look for RNH on...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) debrief the Houston Rockets offseason in full detail, including long and short-term implications of their decision making. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rednationhoops.com/subscribe

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Dan Favale (@DanFavale) discuss: -Cam Whitmore traded to the Wizards. -Reacting to the details for Dorian-Finney Smith’s contract -Why the DFS signing and the Cam Whitmore trade should be viewed as one big transaction -Will Houston regret trading Whitmore? -Where does Houston stack up in the Western Conference? -Is OKC in a tier of it’s own? Are they a “Warriors’ lev...

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) recap the Rockets known free agency moves. Topics include: -Could anyone have seen this summer coming for the Rockets? -Thoughts on the Jabari Smith extension -Does Smith still possess All-Star potential? -Reacting to the Dorian Finney-Smith contract -Does Cam Whitmore have a future in Houston? -Why did Houston bring Clint Capela back? -Are t...

Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) react to the Houston Rockets’ stunning acquisition of 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant. Topics include: -Initial reactions to the trade -Grading the deal for both teams -Short and long-term ramifications for the team -How does Kevin Durant fit in Houston? -Will KD and Fred VanVleet get extended soon? -What other moves can Houston make? -Who star...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) broadly catch up on all things Rockets from the first quarter games of the Rockets season. **Episode was recorded in late November, but remains essentially up-to-date** Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to the RNH newsletter: www. RedNationHoops.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with oth...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: * Why Summer League left Salman speechless * Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore appear too good for Summer League * In-depth observations of Reed Sheppard’s first two games * Why Sheppard is more than just a shooter * What could hold him back in the future? * Cam Whitmore builds upon his Summer League MVP from last year * What has Wh...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and The Athletic's Tony Jones ( @Tjonesonthenba ): * Analyzing the pre-draft Nets/Rockets trade * Was it smart for Houston to send Brooklyn their picks back? * The upside of the future Suns picks the Rockets acquired * Will they trade for Kevin Durant? Devin Booker? * What is Reed Sheppard's upside as a prospect? * How does he fit with the other "Core 7" Rockets? * Tho...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Ben DuBose ( @BenDuBose ) discuss: -Will the Rockets keep or trade the 3rd overall pick? -What sort of return would Houston want for #3? -Is trading out or trading down more feasible? -Who do we think the Rockets ultimately take? Who's going to be available? -Who do we want the Rockets to take? Best fit? -Are Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard underrated prospects?...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: * Debating one last time if Houston should keep or trade the 3rd overall pick * What player checks the most boxes that could be available at 3? * Which 3-4 prospects do we believe the Rockets should try and keep out of theoretical trade packages this summer? * Can Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün play together long-term? What mak...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and NBA draft analyst @ChuckingDarts discuss: * How strong is the of the 2024 NBA Draft? * Which prospects are most likely to become All-Stars? * Why is there so much skepticism about Donovan Clingan and Reed Sheppard? * The cases for drafting Zaccharie Risacher and Matas Buzelis in the Top 5 * Is Zach Edey being undervalued in this draft? * Who should the Rockets sele...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: * An overview of the 2023-24 Houston Rockets season * Thoughts on Rockets GM Rafael Stone receiving an extension * Houston climbing to 3rd in the 2024 NBA Draft * Should Houston keep or trade the pick? What’s a good asking price? All that and more. Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to the free RNH newsle...

(Recorded March 31st) Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: * On the Rockets continued success * Can Houston make the Play-In Tournament? * Other than shooting, where is Jalen Green improving? * Is Green playing better because of Alperen Sengun’s absence? * How does Sengun fit into Houston’s long-term plans? * Reacting to the latest buzz about the Rockets itching for...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discusses the Houston Rockets winning 9 straight games and putting themselves in position to make the NBA Play-In Tournament. Topics include: -How are the Rockets winning without Sengun? -Ime Udoka’s adjustments -Is Jalen Green back on track to stardom? -Dissecting Green’s streaky scoring efficiency -Amen Thompson emergence -Jabari Smith’...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: * Alperen Sengun likely out for the season * Cam Whitmore out for three weeks * What are the Rockets remaining goals for the season? * Amen Thompson excitement * Reacting to Jalen Green's scoring outbursts * Where does Green rank among Houston's other prospects? All that and more. Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more....

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: -Possible fallout from Tari Eason’s season ending surgery -Reacting to Jalen Green’s latest scoring outburst -What is the proper way to react to these games? -Has Green put concerns about his starting spot to bed? -Grading Rafael Stone’s tenure as GM of the Rockets -Where does Stone rank among all NBA GMs? -How does he compare to...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: -Rockets bench Alperen Şengün in crunch time -Houston's reluctance to embrace Sengun as the franchise player -The continued pushback of this reality -Why is Houston still feverishly pursuing centers at the deadline? -What should they aim to achieve at the trade deadline? -Who are some realistic targets? -Jalen Green's much improv...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: -Why have the Rockets struggled so much since Christmas? -Is Houston regressing to the mean as a team? -If they miss the play-in tournament, is this season a failure? -What is a reasonable goal for the remainder of the season? -Should the Rockets make a trade for the sole purpose of making the play-in tournament? -What kinds of t...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) discuss: -Jalen Green's improved play -Has Green secured his starting spot? -Cam Whitmore's monster production -Is Whitmore a better prospect than Green? -How did so many teams pass on Whitmore? -The competition for Green's spot in Houston's core -Alperen Sengun's ridiculous 3-week stretch -Will Sengun make the All-Star team this year? -C...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Forrest Walker ( @DUNOTS ) analyze Jalen Green's recent struggles for the Rockets (late upload). Topics include: -The cause of Jalen Green's struggles -Do we still believe in Green the player? -How can the Rockets help Green out? -Ime Udoka's 4th quarter benchings of Green -Will Udoka continue to start Green? -Will the Rockets eventually trade Green? Should they? -...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Chron.com's Michael Shapiro ( @mshap2 ) discuss: -What was the goal of Phase 2? Has that changed? -How long does Phase 2 last? What does Phase 3 look like? -Who are the "untouchables" on the Rockets? -How will extension negotiations with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun look? -How have Jalen Green's struggles impacted Houston's vision? -Will the Rockets trade Green?...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Chuck ( @ChuckingDarts ) discuss: * A deep dive into how good the Rockets have been  * Did either of us expect this? * Is Alperen Sengun the franchise player? * How should the Rockets build around Sengun? * What kind of roster will the Rockets need long-term? * Is Jalen Green the most obvious co-star candidate for Sengun? * Other potential rostered co-stars (Amen T...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Bleacher Report's Dan Favale ( @danfavale ) discuss: -How surprising is the Rockets hot start? -Is there an element of luck with some of this? -Dan recalibrates his views on Alperen Sengun -Has the Rockets front office regained some respect? -Ime Udoka's impact on Dillon Brooks -Why we shouldn't discredit GM Rafael Stone for any of this -Jalen Green will take some...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) talks with Sports Radio 610's Adam Spolane ( @AdamSpolane ) about the Rockets 4-game winning streak. Topics include: -What's changed from the first 3 games? -What's sustainable and what's unsustainable? -Why fans are overthinking Jalen Green -Why aren't Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun playing more together? -How have Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks helped the Rockets? -...