Rockets LaunchPod

Cooper Klein, NBA draft analyst for Upside Swings and The Chop Shop, joins Paulo and Ben for a detailed scouting discussion of Houston’s options at No. 4 and No. 20 overall in the 2023 first round. Topics include the merits of trading up or down; a detailed profile of potential No. 4 frontrunner Amen Thompson; comparing the pros and cons of Thompson, Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, and Cam Whitmo...

Michael A. Scotto, national NBA writer for HoopsHype , joined our podcast to discuss the latest offseason rumors surrounding the Houston Rockets and their 2023 draft and free agency plans. Is general manager Rafael Stone increasingly set on selecting Amen Thompson at No. 4 overall? In a conversation with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Scotto offers fresh insight on that and other draft considerations...

With the NBA Finals over and the Denver Nuggets crowned as champions, the league’s rumor mill regarding player transactions should escalate quickly as the 2023 offseason begins. That’s especially the case in Houston, where the Rockets have more than $60 million in expected salary cap flexibility along with two first-round draft picks. So, as general manager Rafael Stone approaches 2023 free agency...

Monday’s episode of The Lager Line, sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, explores the key takeaways from recent interviews involving general manager Rafael Stone, head coach Ime Udoka, and other members of the Houston Rockets. During the show, hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explain why Stone’s remarks regarding Udoka’s role in personnel decisions should be taken as a promising sign...

Rockets fan and NBA draft analyst Nathan Fogg joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves on Friday’s The Lager Line to scout Houston’s potential first-round options at No. 4 and No. 20 overall. With a particular emphasis on the twin brothers of Amen and Ausar Thompson, the roundtable discussion compares and contrasts Houston’s most likely possibilities with its high lottery pick. Other topics of debate incl...

Bryan Kalbrosky, national NBA staff writer at USA TODAY’s For The Win , joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves on a new podcast to break down the rapidly evolving 2023 offseason for the Rockets. The discussion spotlights Houston’s options at the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, where a top prospect like Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, or Amen Thompson could be selected. Cam Whitmore, Ausar Thompso...

Tuesday’s episode, sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, features live, real-time reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the 2023 NBA draft lottery. With Houston landing the No. 4 overall pick and its prayers for Victor (Wembanyama) going unanswered, what prospects could the Rockets be choosing between when the draft takes place on June 22? Tuesday’s show offers preliminary insig...

With the NBA’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the way , what does that mean for the Houston Rockets, who have approximately $60 million in salary cap space this offseason? David Weiner , salary cap expert and renowned Rockets blogger, offers his insight on this special CBA-themed episode. In a conversation with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves , Weiner makes his case for why the new CBA sh...

Clay Allen, general counsel of the Houston Rockets, chats with Ben DuBose regarding his role with the organization and the upcoming NBA draft lottery. As part of Allen’s role, he is one of a select few people who is physically in the room where the NBA draft lottery takes place. During this conversation, Allen gives listeners a preview of how the all-important 2023 lottery will go down on Tuesday,...

In Monday’s breaking-news episode, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves offer their immediate reactions to Houston’s decision to hire Ime Udoka as head coach of the Rockets. Topics include the implications for Houston’s young roster and the franchise’s appeal entering 2023 free agency; what role Udoka’s past baggage played in the process; what the hire says about general manager Rafael Stone and Tilman Fert...

In Friday’s episode, Celtics Wire editor Justin Quinn offers his insight on the strengths and weaknesses of former Boston coach Ime Udoka, who appears to be one of two early frontrunners in the ongoing coaching search of the Houston Rockets. Udoka, 45, was previously a longtime assistant to Gregg Popovich in San Antonio. He spent one triumphant season with the 2021-22 Eastern Conference champion C...

In Monday’s podcast, Indiana Pacers writer Caitlin Cooper shares insight on the strengths and weaknesses of veteran NBA coach Frank Vogel — who appears to be gaining momentum in the 2023 coaching search of the Houston Rockets. Vogel spent 10 seasons as a coach with the Pacers, including six in the lead role, before moving on to the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers. It was with the Lakers, of c...

The NBA’s 2022-23 regular season is over for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets (22-60), and they didn’t wait long to kick off a busy offseason. In an occasionally fiery press conference , general manager Rafael Stone took the podium Monday at Toyota Center and explained Houston’s decision to move on from head coach Stephen Silas after three seasons. As part of Stone’s comments, he also push...

As the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season enters its final week, the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets (19-60) have long been eliminated from playoff contention. Even so, there are several important storylines to watch as the offseason approaches. With that in mind, Tuesday’s show, sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing , offers a complete preview. Hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves evaluate...

Led by Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., the rebuilding Rockets have become much more competitive during the month of March. It comes at a good time, too, since Houston will enter the 2023 offseason with lots of salary cap room and with a clear incentive to win next season. Future Hall of Famers and four-time NBA champions Draymond Green and Klay Thompson of the Warriors are among those taking not...

Entering Friday, the Rockets have won two straight games and four of their last seven, overall. That clearly represents at least some progress for a young and rebuilding group that has spent much of the 2022-23 season with the NBA’s worst record. But, there have been some fortunate circumstances to this recent run of form. For example, two wins came versus the Spurs, who are also among the league’...

French big man Victor Wembanyama and NBA G League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson are widely viewed as the top-two prospects entering the 2023 NBA draft. But, who comes next? Enter the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, known best as March Madness. Though the Rockets are currently tied for the fewest wins in the NBA this season, that only brings a 27% chance of obtaining one of the top-two draft selec...

The young Houston Rockets still own the NBA’s worst record (13-49), and armed with an 11-game losing streak, they’re now on their second double-digit skid of 2023 alone. Yet, one of the league’s best players appears very serious about joining the team this offseason. Friday’s podcast explores the fascinating juxtaposition of the team’s ongoing struggles balanced against a new wave of rumors regard...

Dave Hardisty, founder and owner of ClutchFans , was one of the biggest Jabari Smith Jr. supporters when the Houston Rockets drafted the Auburn product at No. 3 overall in the 2022 NBA draft. At the All-Star break of Smith’s rookie season, is that optimism still warranted? In Thursday’s podcast, Hardisty joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to discuss Smith’s outlook, how he could be better utilized b...

Sunday’s podcast features reaction to recent Rockets news stories involving rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., owner Tilman Fertitta, and general manager Rafael Stone. What on-court factors can Smith’s ongoing shooting slump be attributed to? Hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explore where the blame should go and why head coach Stephen Silas and lead guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green shouldn’t...

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline came and went, and major changes came with it for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets. Veteran guard Eric Gordon is finally on his way to a contender ( the Los Angeles Clippers ), while reserves Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando are out the door, as well ( to Atlanta ). For general manager Rafael Stone, both deals were made with future draft capital in mind. W...

What will the Houston Rockets do at Thursday’s trade deadline for the 2022-23 NBA season? What should they do? The latest episode of The Lager Line podcast evaluates the plan, as well as all the various considerations for general manager Rafael Stone. Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves , discussion topics include: What Kyrie Irving’s departure from the Nets ( by forcing a trade to Dallas ) means...

Since Kevin Porter Jr. went out on Jan. 11 with a left foot injury, the emergence and higher usage of second-year center Alperen Sengun has become a huge storyline for the Rockets. Now, with second-year guard Jalen Green registering two 40+ point games in his last three outings — including a career-high 42 in Monday’s win over Minnesota , which snapped an NBA-worst losing streak — an argument can...

Thursday’s show offers takeaways from Houston’s 12-game losing streak — now the NBA’s longest this season — along with reaction to John Wall’s recent criticisms of the Rockets as an organization. Is Alperen Sengun on the verge of a more featured role? Ben and Paulo break down recent on-court changes before transitioning to the fallout from Wall’s harsh comments and its implications for head coach...

On the two-year anniversary of Houston’s final James Harden trade agreement, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves grade that trade and other key transactions throughout the three-year history of Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. What does the past tell us about the future? With the Feb. 9 trade deadline looming, our show explores the good and bad from the past three seasons. The months ahead could b...