Game 11 & 12 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition

The Houston Rockets have a road problem. 0-5 isn’t a coincidence anymore.

We are in hell.

This is getting bad.

Let’s just get straight in to why the last two days in Rockets basketball was a death trap from the start. Game 11 & 12 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.

First off, stop with back to backs. It makes my head hurt. Second off, back to backs on the road? What are we doing, NBA? Watching this fatigued squad who can only run through Alperen Sengun when things get dire is what is going to really set me over the edge.

Shot chucking is the identity of the Houston Rockets as of right now. Jalen Green is getting benched for the entire fourth quarter, which at this point seems like the right decision, though he did get it together for parts of the third in last nights loss to the Warriors.

Along with these issues, clutch time disappointments seem to be the story of these last two games as Alperen Sengun came through with a game typing lay-in over LeBron James, but a late three by Austin Reaves and a game-sealing free-throw by the King left us wanting more from this game.

Sunday night against the Lakers was truly the most fun I’ve had watching the Rockets in years, win or lose. The saddest part about it is what should be our best players in Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet went absolutely silent in the final stages. I get that it is year three and it takes time for players to develop under new systems, but I’m just not seeing the consistent confidence and the drives working out for Jalen Green.

Is it time we start to look over other options while his stock is still high? I wouldn’t pull the trigger yet, but maybe by the trade deadline next year if nothing has gotten better, would it be time for a change of scenery then?

I’m getting too ahead of my self. By all means, he could be just slumping in this new system and by January all of this could be behind us. Is it wrong to at least begin asking questions?

Regardless, there were bright spots.

Let’s highlight some moments that brought me joy in a spiral of sorrow.

What else can we say about Alperen Sengun? This dude is the best center in the division and seeing his bag develop under Ime Udoka is worth the price of admission itself, regardless of winning or losing.

Jabari Smith Jr. has been working through a lot of change over his first two seasons, but seeing his overall field goal percentage move up eight percent and his three point percentage three percent is enough to make me hopeful for what is to come.

Breakout game soon? You can book it.

Dillon Brooks has become the heartbeat of this team, possibly to its detriment in some instances. Outside of his sometimes way too comical effort, he has become one of the more consistent players on the court. Heart goes a long way, especially in the city of Houston. This man will be a staple in Houston Sports for years to come.

While these past couple of days were not fun, we learned this team can still compete, which has not been the case in a very long time.

Things will be fine, I promise. This does leave a mark on our early season ups and downs, though. We’ve got seventy more of these games. Let’s have some fun.

Your Houston Rockets will take on the Memphis Grizzlies who are still without Ja Morant and Marcus Smart on Wednesday.

See y’all then. Game 11 & 12 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.