Games 16 & 17 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition

Tough week for these Rockets.

Overall spottiness, inability to close out games, and a verbal tussle between the best coach in the NBA and LeBron James set the tone for what has been an awful three game stretch. Let’s get in to it. Games 16 & 17 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.

This team is clearly streaky. Not having a standalone win or loss seventeen games in to the season is one of the more worry-some problems in this young season. It seems the squad has it fully put together at times, then they shoot sub-45% from the field and lose.

The highs are so sweet, but the lows are hurting more and more each loss we take.

Of course, nobody expected this Rockets team to be even remotely this successful, but seeing how good this team has turned out at times truly makes me scared we might not hit our full potential this early on under the Ime Udoka reign.

And that is okay. It is clear how much of a leader Coach Ime is becoming for this team. Sticking up for his guys in regards to LeBron James “bitching” was a sight to see, but immediately Lebron took offense to because apparently saying the word “bitch” is on his no-no list.

So strange.

Regardless, it was clear Ime isn’t scared of anyone. He is there to win games and coach his young squad in the best way he knows how, and if that includes telling off a GOAT and being ejected for calling him “a soft ass boy”, so be it.

In order to lead, you need the team behind your plans, and Fred VanVleet made sure to tell Woj on his newest podcast how much of a leader Ime Udoka truly is for this locker room.

It’s very encouraging to hear this from your floor general. The locker room culture Ime is establishing is clearly resonating with his guys.

Now let’s quickly wrap up with what we learned in regards to the actual play on the floor.

Alperen Sengun had his first “bad” game, but still seemed very confident taking a career-high 25 (good lord) shots with 8 three-pointers attempted. It was bound to happen at some point this season, but I can still confidently say that this is one of the most consistent players in the league. Still got the double-double for the vibes though.

Jalen Green had a great game against Denver, which unfortunately ended in a loss, but what really struck me was his defensive play. For the first time in his career, we are seeing a stretch where he seems truly involved on that end of the floor and it seems, God willing this happens more often, that this can be a turning point in his career for the better.

Of course, so much more has to go right for him, but we are taking steps in the right direction.

I promised myself I would not dog on Jalen Green in this entry. We made it, y’all.

Honestly, this stinks. I want to always look at the bright spots, especially with an entirely new team outside of our young core, but this skid has been a rough one. I genuinely wish we won our group for the in-season tournament. These games in Vegas are about to make my week so much more fun. Having a playoff atmosphere in December? Sign me up.

Check the quarter/semi finals out this week if you are able.

Your Rockets will take on the Chet Holmgren-led Thunder on Wednesday.

See y’all then. Games 16 & 17 What We Learned: Houston Rockets Edition.