How a shocking NBA draft lottery affects the Rockets
The 2025 NBA draft lottery was an all-time shocker, and not in a good way for the Rockets. Despite entering with very low odds of moving up, divisional rivals Dallas and San Antonio are now slotted to pick at No. 1 and No. 2, where Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are considered the consensus top prospects. Houston will pick at No. 10 in the first round.In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate implications and storylines. Topics include why the Mavs or Spurs making an imminent trade push for Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo is unlikely, but the longer-term concerns might push the Rockets to be a bit more aggressive in the short-term, themselves.
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Stock up, stock down, hold: Evaluating Rockets in 2025 playoffs
Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Thursday’s episode reviews Houston’s 2025 playoff run for each of its eight rotation players and head coach Ime Udoka.Using a “stock up, stock down, and neutral” grading system, the show reviews the good (Amen Thompson, Steven Adams, and Fred VanVleet) for the Rockets; the bad (Jalen Green); and everything in between during a seven-game series loss to Golden State.
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Crash landing: Rockets’ offense ‘lays an egg’ in Game 7
After fighting back from a 3-1 deficit to tie their first-round series against the Warriors, the Rockets’ 2025 playoff run is over after a home loss in Game 7. In the aftermath of a dreadful showing on offense (74 points in the first 45+ minutes), Monday’s show features reaction by our Ben DuBose to what went wrong against Golden State. Topics include the reasons for inefficient showings by Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; the spacing limitations of “double big” lineups (Steven Adams and Sengun) when used with Amen Thompson; and a few positives to take out of the near-comeback, starting with Thompson and Fred VanVleet.
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Matt Thomas highlights: Rockets win Game 6 at Golden State!
After once trailing the Warriors, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets have defied the odds to force a Game 7 in Houston! Saturday’s mini-episode features a compilation of radio calls (via Matt Thomas, Rockets Radio Network) from Friday’s thrilling Game 6 victory at Golden State, along with an exclusive postgame interview (12:00) with veteran center Steven Adams.
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Clutch City redux: Can Houston save its season at Golden State?
After falling behind, 3-1, in their first-round playoff series, the Rockets survived their first elimination game versus the Warriors with a home blowout in Game 5. Can they do the same in Friday’s Game 6 at Golden State and force a decisive Game 7 back in Houston?With a pivotal weekend ahead, Thursday’s podcast explores what we’ve learned in recent games while sharing some keys to success in Game 6 and hopefully Game 7. Discussion points include recent improvements from Amen Thompson; the roles of Jalen Green, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams as key variables; and the importance of Thompson’s defense versus Steph Curry.
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2024-25 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the growth of Houston’s top prospects, such as Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, and Amen Thompson; potential transactions in 2025 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.