In this edition of our NBA off-season previews, we look at the Rockets and what lies ahead of this group of youth and excitement.
The Houston Rockets endured a rollercoaster ride in the 2023/24 NBA season. With a mix of veteran players and promising young talents. They did a great job of bolstering their roster last year. Among the notable additions was a skilled point guard known for his playmaking and shooting abilities in Fred Van Vleet. He provided a much-needed boost to the team's offensive strategy. Additionally, they added a versatile forward to strengthen the Rockets' defense and add depth to their lineup in Dillon Brooks. These acquisitions signaled Houston's commitment to continuous improvement and competitiveness in the league.
The team also showcased moments of brilliance while facing inevitable setbacks. The brilliance came from the emergence of their future young stars Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green. In the case of Şengün, he made significant strides on the offensive end. While his rebounding numbers remained relatively the same from his rookie season, he improved his points (14.8 to 21.1 PPG) and assists (3.9 to 5.0 APG) numbers. He suffered an injury late in the season, but still a phenomenal year two for the Turkish delight.
Year three talent Jalen Green had a bit of an up-and-down campaign. Green's ceiling is undeniable, but the last two years did not have him showing any marked improvement. His scoring numbers did dip a bit, almost plateauing at times, but he committed himself to becoming a better rebounder at the very least. Green, nor Şengün, are expected to sign long-term extensions in H-Town, so they will both need to show significant strides this upcoming season.
As in any professional sports team, player departures are an inevitable part of the game. The Houston Rockets bid farewell to Reggie Bullock, a seasoned shooting guard who did not crack Ime Udoka's rotation very much. His absence will undoubtedly open up opportunities for emerging talents to step up and make their mark on the team. This will include new additions Aaron Holiday and AJ Griffin, who should see some minutes in the 2024-25 season.
With a revamped roster and a renewed sense of determination, the Houston Rockets are gearing up for a promising campaign in the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see how the team's new acquisitions, as well as third overall pick Reed Sheppard, will integrate into the lineup. It is well documented that this draft likely will not contain a franchise-altering talent, but Sheppard could contribute to winning in year one. The Rockets were 23rd in three-point shooting percentage and 14th in threes made per game. Sheppard is known to be an elite shooter in both the catch-and-shoot and off-the-dribble situations from his time at Kentucky.
Expectations are relatively high for this Rockets group entering the 2024-25 season. They have a prominent coach in Udoka, as well as a healthy crop of youth and experience. The 11 seed in the West a year ago will have expectations to at the very least make the play-in games. If the two young studs can take a step forward in their development, along with players like Jabari Smith Jr., and Sheppard is as advertised, they may sneak into the top six in the West. We will certainly be tuned in regularly to this team and cannot wait to see how the season progresses.
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