Red Nation Hoops: A Houston Rockets Pod

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Michael Shapiro ( @mshap2 ) of the Houston Chronicle come up with 5 stat-free observations for the early season Rockets. Topics include: * Alperen Sengun's undeniability * Rockets concerning bench units * Cam Whitmore's absence from the rotation * Ime Udoka resonating with the young talent * Dillon Brooks' two-way impact * Jalen Green and Jabari Smith's defense * H...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) previews the 2023-24 Houston Rockets with play-by-play broadcaster Craig Ackerman ( @ca_rockets ) of Space City Home Network. Topics include: * Reasonable internal/external goals for the season? * Will Ime Udoka give Alperen Sengun a fair shake? * Is Jabari Smith due for a snap-back season? * Can Amen Thompson be in the Rookie of the Year race? * Does Cam Whitmore stay...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and  @LockedOnFantasyBasketball  host Josh Lloyd ( @redrock_bball ) project the Houston Rockets from a fantasy basketball perspective and, more broadly, as prospects moving forward. The two also discuss how much of an upgrade Ime Udoka could be to Stephen Silas. Subscribe to the free RNH newsletter: www. RedNationHoops.com Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and mo...

Salman ( @SalmanAliNBA ) talks with Ben DuBose ( @BenDuBose ) USA Today Sports about the Kevin Porter Jr. situation before previewing media day. Topics include: -Will KPJ's contract get voided by the league? If it happens, how would that impact the Rockets (if at all)? -How likely is it that KPJ is just waived outright by the Rockets? -If KPJ is dumped in a trade, what could a return look like? -I...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) talks with Rockets PA Announcer Jonathan Sanford ( @TheJSanford ) to discuss his years with the Spurs, his move to Houston, his relationship with Ime Udoka, what Udoka will bring to the Rockets going forward, and more. Subscribe to the free RNH newsletter: www. RedNationHoops.com Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. This is a public episode. If you'd like...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) discusses Houston's offseason with Bleacher Report's Dan Favale ( @DanFavale ) before ranking their young prospects based on: -Overall belief in the players -Ceiling of the players -Likelihood to be the best player on the Rockets Ali and Favale also discuss the importance in Houston finding their "North Star" prospect as soon as possible, Rafael Stone's tenure as a GM,...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) down the Rockets Summer League w/ Rafael Barlowe ( @Barlowe500 ) of NBA Big Board including: -All things Jabari Smith -How did Cam Whitmore fall to Houston at 20? -How will the Rockets manage all this young talent? -Will any player get lost in the shuffle? -Can Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks aid in player development? -How will Ime Udoka approach roles, minutes, and u...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Alykhan Bijani ( @Rockets_Insider ) discuss: * The Rockets choosing Fred VanVleet over James Harden * Ime Udoka’s influence over free agency * What does Fred VanVleet bring to the Rockets? * How does he make Jalen Green better? * Houston’s asset mismanagement and failed pursuit of Brook Lopez * How Alperen Şengün could make Houston’s summer look foolish * Why Salma...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Dave Hardisty ( @clutchfans ) discuss: * The Rockets 4th overall selection of OTE’s Amen Thompson * How does Amen Thompson fit on the Rockets long-term? * Where did we each have Thompson ranked on our boards? * How did Cam Whitmore fall to the Rockets at 20th? * What made Whitmore a Top 10 draft prospect? * Grading the Rockets draft-record through Phase 1 of their...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Adam Spinella of The Box and One ( @TheBoxAndOne_ ) preview the 2023 NBA Draft from a Houston Rockets perspective: * Who is Charlotte going to take at 2? * Should Scoot Henderson vs. Brandon Miller be a real conversation? * What options will be left for Houston at 4th? * What makes Amen Thompson special? * What should we take away from the Cam Whitmore to Houston b...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen ( @Jonathan_Feigen ) discuss: * How did the Rockets react to getting the 4th pick? How has that changed over time? * Will the Rockets keep the pick? Will they move up or trade down? * If they keep the pick, who will they draft? * What will Houston do with the 20th pick? * How interested are the Rockets in James Harden? * Woul...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and  USA Today's Ben DuBose ( @BenDuBose ) cut through all the James Harden to Houston noise to answer the real question we’ve all been dodging: Do we still believe in James Harden? Sub-topics include: * Is James Harden actually coming to Houston? * What would Harden’s role be if he comes to Houston? * Would either of us give Harden a four-year max? * What would preven...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and draft expert Rafael Barlowe ( @Barlowe500 ) discuss the current crop of young Rockets and the best players of the 2023 NBA Draft. Plus: * If the Rockets keep their pick, who will they draft? * Will a possible Harden/Houston reunion affect the pick? Should it? * What does Rafael think about a Harden/Houston reunion? * Who is Charlotte going to take at #2 and how wil...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Dave Hardisty (@clutchfans): -React to the NBA lottery results -Speculate on who will be available for Houston at #4 -Debate whether Portland will trade the 3rd pick -Would Salman trade Sengun to move up? -Would Dave trade Jabari to move up? -New reporting from Philadelphia on James Harden’s future -Do the 76ers want Harden back? Will they offer a four-year max? -D...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Kyle Chilek ( @kchile22 ), formerly of RedNationHoops.com , layout all their pre-lottery thoughts, nerves, and feelings. Then the two branch off into a larger debate about a Harden/Houston reunion. Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to the RNH newsletter (free all offseason): www. RedNationHoops.com This is a public episode. If you'd like t...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and The Athletic's Alykhan Bijani ( @Rockets_Insider ) break down what Ime Udoka brings to the Rockets on and off the court. Plus other Rockets offseason chatter. Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to the RNH newsletter (free all offseason): www. RedNationHoops.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers o...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Bleacher Report's Dan Favale ( @danfavale ) react to the Rockets hiring of Ime Udoka and break down all the possible implications. Look for RNH on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to the RNH newsletter (free all summer): www. RedNationHoops.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes,...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and  USA Today's Ben DuBose ( @BenDuBose ) discuss: * New reporting from Woj on James Harden’s interest in Houston * Ben’s thoughts on the 2022-23 Rockets season. Was it a success? Failure? * What qualities should the Rockets look for in a new head coach? * Ranking preferred candidates * Why would the Raptors fire Nick Nurse? * Would Nurse be a good fit in Houston? * I...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and special guest Adam Spolane ( @AdamSpolane ) discuss: -A Stephen Silas post-mortem -Was this the right move? -Should Rockets fans be worried about GM Rafael Stone’s meddling? -Ranking the pool of candidates for Houston’s opening -Who makes the most sense and why? -Who isn’t on the list that should be on the list? (MDA, JVG, Dave Joerger, Sam Cassell, etc…? -Odds tha...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Amsal Madhani ( @amsal_madhani ) discuss: -Bill Simmons says James Harden is “Houston-bound” -Is the Jalen Green pick really a “catastrophe”? -Should TyTy Washington be in the G League? -Rockets beat Spurs in back-to-back -Is lottery positioning panic justified? -Jabari Smith’s recent hot stretch of games -One last rant from Salman about Silas/Sengun -KPJ’s recent...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.rednationhoops.com Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Amsal Madhani ( @amsal_madhani ) discuss: -Rockets sign WCS to 10-day contract -Daryl Morey dismisses Harden to Houston rumors -Unpacking The Athletic’s massive Harden to Houston reporting -KPJ re-aggravates injury and chooses to play through it -Stephen Silas benches Alperen Sengu...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.rednationhoops.com Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and Amsal Madhani ( @amsal_madhani ) discuss: -Stephen Silas’ Alperen Sengun comments -Tilman’s drunken “Pray for Victor” interview -Rafael Stone’s interview with The Athletic -In light of the allegations, should teams avoid drafting Brandon Miller? -A mini Jabari Smith conversation (t...

Salman Ali ( @SalmanAliNBA ) reacts to the late-night Kevin Durant trade w/ Alykhan Bijani ( @Rockets_Insider ). Plus the two analyze the implications for the Rockets-owned Nets picks. 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 Amsal Madhani ( @amsal_madhani ) preview the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline from the Houston Rockets perspective w/ special guest Jonathan Feigen ( @Jonathan_Feigen ). Look for the podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more. Subscribe to our free newsletter: www. RedNationHoops.com Follow RNH on Twitter: twitter.com/RedNationHoops This is a public episode. If you'd like...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.rednationhoops.com Salman ( @SalmanAliNBA ) and new co-host Amsal Madhani ( @amsal_madhani ) discuss: -Houston’s rumored interest in Hawks big man John Collins. What are some other out-of-the-box names Houston should target? -Has Eric Gordon’s market value improved? -Why are the Rockets suddenly playing better? -Should John Lucas ge...