Rockets LaunchPod

As Amen Thompson’s brilliant play continues, the Rockets (32-14) enter Thursday with four straight wins and an 11-3 record in January. That mark includes three flagship victories in the past week, and two on the road, over the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-9) and defending NBA champion Boston Celtics (33-15). So, is Houston thinking title contention as soon as the 2025 playoffs? Thursday’s show explores...

With the second half of the 2024-25 NBA season officially underway, this week’s episode reviews what we’ve learned about the Rockets (28-14), who remain in an impressive No. 2 standings spot in the Western Conference. Topics include some regression in recent weeks from Alperen Sengun and Houston’s team defense; why the ascension of Jalen Green and Amen Thompson has largely offset that; and importa...

In Thursday’s interview segment with Ross Villarreal of SportsTalk 790, our Ben DuBose explains why he thinks Amen Thompson has likely locked up a long-term starting role with the Rockets (27-12). Other topics include encouraging signs from Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore during Houston’s current five-game winning streak, as well as why general manager Rafael Stone shouldn’t be under any pressure to...

With both Jalen Green and Amen Thompson in starring roles, the Rockets (26-12) have won four straight games and are holding a strong No. 2 placement in the Western Conference standings. Tuesday’s episode explores how Houston is getting it done, including the sustainability of both Green and Thompson retaining their current lineup roles and performance levels.

Sunday’s mini-episode features Ben’s reaction to Jabari Smith Jr. breaking his left hand, including potential lineup and rotation implications for players such as Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, Tari Eason, and Jalen Green.

Happy New Year! With 2025 now here, Friday’s show looks ahead to the games, weeks, and months ahead for Ime Udoka and a much-improved Houston team. Topics include the importance of carving out a rotation role for Cam Whitmore; the impact of newfound uncertainty surrounding the health of Tari Eason’s left leg; and if or when the Rockets (22-11) will be ready to make a marquee trade this year.

Thanks to another lethargic showing on offense, the Rockets (17-9) lost in the semifinals of the NBA Cup to the Thunder. But on the back of elite defense, they did make it to Las Vegas after finally ending a prolonged losing streak to the Warriors in the quarterfinal. With the schedule on a brief Cup-related pause, Wednesday’s show explores what we’ve learned about the 2024-25 Rockets with the reg...

Tuesday’s episode features a preview of Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal versus Golden State and reaction to Houston’s 1-2 road trip against the Kings, Warriors, and Clippers. Topics include matchup difficulties with the Warriors; potential reasons for the up-and-down play of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; predictions for the NBA Cup knockout rounds; and why fans of the Rockets should still be qu...

After 10 wins in 12 games, the Rockets (15-6, 3-0) entered Tuesday just a half-game back of Oklahoma City for first place in the Western Conference. In an unbeaten Thanksgiving week, Houston secured a statement win at Minnesota — clinching its NBA Cup group — before posting an even more impressive victory at home versus the Thunder. With that in mind, our latest show explores all the associated an...

Despite a rough November from Jalen Green, the defensively stout Rockets (12-6) have climbed to No. 3 in the West standings and first place in their NBA Cup group. Monday’s episode explores how they’ve done it, led by promising signs from Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson; the current levels of concern with Green; and what to watch for as Houston’s schedule gets more difficult, starting with a cruc...

Led by Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson, the improving Rockets (7-4) have won six of their last eight games while moving up to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings. With that in mind, Wednesday’s show breaks down the key on-court takeaways from recent games. Yet, with the Milwaukee Bucks (3-8) off to a bad start in the East, even bigger possibilities might be on the hori...

Two weeks into the new 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets are 4-3 and tied for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. In Wednesday's episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down some of the key early storylines. Topics include the increasing importance of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason; inconsistency from Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet; and areas of both concern and opportunity enter...

After a statement win at Dallas and a nearly historic comeback versus Golden State (which fell short in overtime), the Rockets (3-3) remain stuck on the launch pad as they hover near .500 early in the 2024-25 NBA season. Prior to Monday’s home game versus New York, this interview segment explores the highs and lows leading to that inconsistency. Voices include The Lager Line’s Ben DuBose and Sport...

Tuesday’s show is a brief interview between our Ben DuBose and SportsTalk 790’s Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy. Topics include the reasons for Houston’s 2-2 start to the 2024-25 NBA season, including a scoring binge by Jalen Green; inconsistent play by Alperen Sengun; the healthy return of Steven Adams; and whether occasional rebounding issues for the Rockets are an area of concern.

Tuesday's episode features immediate reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston's newly announced contract extensions with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Discussion topics include the motivations for each deal; why both make sense for the Rockets; and what the agreements indicate about the remainder of Houston's roster and its potential blueprint moving forward.

Monday’s episode offers a complete 2024-25 season preview featuring Craig Ackerman, the Rockets’ TV play-by-play voice for Space City Home Network. In a conversation with our Ben DuBose, discussion topics include whether postseason expectations are realistic; if Jalen Green and/or Alperen Sengun are ready to take an All-Star leap; behind-the-scenes intel on Ime Udoka, training camp, and Houston’s...

Thursday’s episode features more insight related to the ongoing 2024-25 preseason for the Rockets (2-1). Topics include encouraging signs from Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks; questions with Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore; and notes surrounding the remainder of Houston’s roster.

With preseason play officially underway for the NBA’s 2024-25 season, Wednesday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to early performances from the Rockets. Topics include encouraging signs by Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson; the seemingly healthy return of Steven Adams; and what to watch for as other Houston players such as Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, and Joc...

After Monday’s Rockets Media Day, Ben DuBose joined SportsTalk 790’s Next Up to discuss possible contract extensions for Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green. Şengün had a breakout year last season, finishing third in Most Improved Player voting while averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. While it was previously thought that Houston was not likely to extend Şengün and Green prio...

Matt Thomas, radio play-by-play voice of the Rockets and former public address (PA) announcer at Toyota Center, joins Thursday’s episode with insight on the 2024-25 season and beyond. Thomas hosts “The Matt Thomas Show” each weekday on SportsTalk 790, the team’s flagship radio station. Discussion topics include the importance of Houston’s new training center and practice facility; storylines to wa...

In the start of a new series profiling Houston’s game broadcasters, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network (SCHN) joins Ben and Paulo to discuss the 2024-25 Rockets and beyond. Topics include her insights on organizational leaders such as owner Tilman Fertitta, head coach Ime Udoka, and GM Rafael Stone; expectations for the upcoming season; favorite player and staff interviews; behind-the-s...

With the arrival of the slow period of the NBA’s 2024 offseason, Thursday’s fan episode features a five-man panel draft featuring esteemed players and coaches throughout Rockets history. The show also explores underappreciated themes to watch for once 2024-25 training camp opens in late September.

Friday's episode features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston’s newly released schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season.  Topics include the opportunity for a fast start (and the importance of one) thanks to a relatively soft opening month; the challenges of a difficult second half of the season, both collectively and to select individual players; and whether the Rockets have potent...

Tuesday’s episode features a roundtable discussion of several recent news items connected to the Rockets. Topics include an uncertain short-term outlook for Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore as rotation players; factors to consider in Alperen Sengun contract extension deliberations; why reports of Houston as a potential Lauri Markkanen trade suitor are likely overblown; and more.

Thursday’s show features reaction to Houston’s 2-1 start at the NBA’s 2024 summer league. Topics include insight on Reed Sheppard’s sensational debut; inconsistent shooting performances by Cam Whitmore; and whether Orlando Robinson’s strong play could earn a contract with the Rockets for the 2024-25 season.