The Lager Line

The Rockets (41-41) finished 2023-24 at .500, and their 19-win jump from last season was the largest of any NBA team and the second-biggest annual increase in franchise history. Houston is just the fifth team in the last 30 years to follow up a 60-loss season with a non-losing campaign.Given those clear signs of progress, owner Tilman Fertitta recently rewarded GM Rafael Stone and assistant GM Eli Witus with contract extensions.With that in mind, Friday’s episode explains many of the factors pushing Fertitta in that direction. Other topics include offseason tidbits gleaned from Stone’s end-of-season press conference, as well as a preliminary look at storylines from the 2024 playoffs that could impact Houston.

In a loaded Western Conference, the goal of advancing to the 2024 postseason proved to be too ambitious for the young and improving Houston Rockets (39-40). Yet, with three games left to play, a more attainable goal of a .500 or better season is still on the table — and that’s a clear point of emphasis for head coach Ime Udoka.With that in mind, Wednesday’s podcast explores the significance of Houston potentially recording a non-losing season for the first time in four years. Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves also break down recent improvements by Dillon Brooks and Jabari Smith Jr. while analyzing how it could translate alongside Alperen Sengun (currently out due to injury) during the upcoming 2024-25 campaign.

Despite a 13-3 record from March onward, a 2024 Western Conference postseason berth is becoming increasingly unlikely for the Rockets (38-37). Thursday’s home game versus the Warriors (41-34), whose recent five-game winning streak has created separation in that race for the West’s final play-in tournament spot, could be Houston’s last hope of making a late charge.Yet, even if the Rockets don’t advance, there’s still a strong case to be made that it was a successful season in Houston. With that in mind, topics on Wednesday’s podcast include the importance of finishing the year at .500 or better; more reasons to be encouraged by Jalen Green; questions regarding the future outlooks for Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson; and why Houston could climb up the West standings more quickly than some expect, starting this fall.

The streak continues! The Rockets (36-35) are back above .500 for the first time since early January, and they’ve won nine straight games for the first time in over five years. Their 11-1 record in March leads the NBA, and they’re only a game back of Golden State (37-34) in the Western Conference play-in tournament race. The Warriors play at Houston next Thursday, April 4. So, how did the Rockets dramatically turn this season around? Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break it all down in Wednesday’s podcast, including what Ime Udoka and Jalen Green are doing right and keys to success during a challenging schedule over the next week.

The Rockets (32-35) are 7-1 in March with a five-game winning streak, and Jalen Green is the Western Conference Player of the Week. With those recent wins, Houston’s hopes of a play-in tournament push in the West are suddenly very much alive.Where did things turn, and what does it mean in the big picture? Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break it all down in Tuesday’s episode, which also features insight on Amen Thompson’s promotion to the starting lineup and areas for further growth within the team.

Alperen Sengun’s 2023-24 season could be over after a leg injury, but it looks like there won’t be any further impact on his future. Monday’s abbreviated show explores the long-term significance of that news, as well as short-term lineup changes due to Sengun’s absence and whether the Rockets can sustain their encouraging play of late (4-1 in March).

Tuesday’s episode breaks down the good and bad of Houston’s 2-4 stretch out of the All-Star break, which culminated with Jalen Green’s strong showing during Saturday’s win in Phoenix. In particular, Paulo and Ben explore Ime Udoka’s new emphasis on 3-point volume and the unfortunate news of Tari Eason (left tibia surgery) being lost for the season.In addition, with the star-studded Los Angeles Clippers headed to Houston for Wednesday’s nationally televised game, this episode revisits the 2023 offseason and whether Fred VanVleet over James Harden remains the correct choice for the Rockets.

After hinting at a potential change to Houston’s starting lineup, head coach Ime Udoka announced at Wednesday’s practice that the Rockets will stay the course for the time being. What does that say about the future of Jalen Green, who has been Houston’s most inconsistent starter? Thursday’s show explores that angle and more, including what the return of Fred VanVleet and Cam Whitmore can do as Houston enters a tough scheduling stretch out of the All-Star break.

The Rockets (24-30) enter the NBA’s 2024 All-Star break with five losses in six games, and head coach Ime Udoka is hinting at possible changes to his lineup and rotation.What could those be, and will it be worthwhile? Friday’s podcast explores the possibilities, including the pros and cons of potentially starting Amen Thompson or Cam Whitmore over Jalen Green — assuming Fred VanVleet returns from injury at point guard.

After an underwhelming start to the 2023-24 season, third-year guard Jalen Green has exploded of late, averaging nearly 30 points per game on outstanding efficiency over Houston’s last five games.So, is it sustainable, and does it change how the Rockets approach the remainder of the season and the NBA’s February 8 deadline for in-season trades? Friday’s show explores those angles and more, including the confirmed trade for Memphis center Steven Adams; rumors of a potential deal for Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges; and news that Alperen Sengun will miss out on 2024 All-Star honors.

After Wednesday’s heartbreaking overtime loss at home to Portland, the Rockets are just 3-8 in their last 11 games. Is it time to reset expectations after a rough January?Friday’s show explores a new sobering reality in Houston, where the Rockets have consistently played below average on both ends of the court since losing Tari Eason to injury. Fortunately, the discussion does find one silver lining in the form of the Nets, who are 2-12 in their last 14 games while boosting Houston’s first-round pick outlook in the 2024 NBA draft.As for the Rockets, with a road back-to-back looming in Charlotte and Brooklyn, Ben and Paulo explore where things are going wrong and what changes could help spark short-term turnaround. They also debate the curious case of Eason’s leg injury and whether the team erred in judgment with its treatment plan earlier this season.

Friday’s show explores what’s next for the Rockets after a 1-5 road trip that dropped Houston (19-21) outside of the Western Conference play-in tournament field, as things currently stand.Topics include reasons not to be concerned about the squad’s recent defensive downturn — and conversely, why Houston’s season-long struggles on offense are more troubling.The show also explores areas of potential growth and improvement, including the feasibility of changing Jalen Green’s spot in the starting lineup and how the Feb. 8 trade deadline could improve things.

Friday’s show reacts to a heartbreaking Rockets loss in Chicago and shares some lessons learned for upcoming games. Topics include the importance of running late-game offense through Alperen Sengun; missed opportunities for Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore; the impact of the Dillon Brooks and Tari Eason injuries; and more.

Happy New Year! 2024 is starting on a great note for the Rockets (17-15), who defeated Brooklyn and Detroit by double digits thanks in large part to spectacular play from Alperen Sengun.With that in mind, Friday’s show explores whether Houston’s third-year big man can earn All-Star honors this season, as well as his potential to receive a maximum salaried contract extension in the offseason. Other topics include the increasing roles of rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, as well as what their emergence could mean as the NBA’s in-season trade deadline approaches in early February.

Karthik Prasad (@StanfordKP) joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves for a roundtable chat regarding NBA trade season, which unofficially begins each December 15—the annual date at which most players who signed new contracts in the previous offseason can be dealt.From a Rockets perspective, this means that players who signed deals in 2023 free agency (including Jock Landale’s tradable contract) can now officially be moved. Victor Oladipo, who was acquired for salary reasons in the trade offloading Kevin Porter Jr. in October, can also be traded in packages since the 60-day aggregation waiting period has expired.With that in mind, what are the possibilities for GM Rafael Stone, and how aggressive should the Rockets be at the start of “phase two” of their rebuild? Karthik, Ben, and Paulo explore the various scenarios, including the potential to acquire a bigger name such as Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray; whether Jalen Green is still the optimal long-term fit at shooting guard; and smaller trade scenarios that could boost this season’s team, like a deal for Atlanta big man Clint Capela.

For a second time in under two months, the Rockets (12-9) have won at least four straight games, and they’re currently on pace to go 47-35 for the 2023-24 season as a whole. This time, Houston is doing it even amid a sluggish week by third-year prospects Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. So, how are the Rockets getting it done? Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday’s episode (sponsored by Karbach Brewing) breaks it all down. Topics include a continued surge by Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr.; steady and perhaps undervalued play by Fred VanVleet; potential reasons for Green and Sengun’s underperformance; and Ime Udoka’s creative usage of what’s becoming a fairly deep rotation.

The Rockets continue to excel at home, where they are 8-1, but struggle on the road, where they remain the NBA’s only winless (0-8) team. One reason is Houston’s inconsistent offense, which ranks No. 20 in the league in net rating.Tuesday’s episode explores areas for potential improvement, including what optimal roles and usage should be for key prospects such as Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson.

Friday’s episode reviews the extreme peaks and valleys of Jalen Green this season and explores strategies that Rockets coach Ime Udoka could adopt in hopes of minimizing the low points. With Houston (7-6) ranking No. 18 in the NBA in offense, Green appears to be the key variable.Other topics include insight on how Udoka and the Rockets have built a top-five defense and the implications of Amen Thompson’s looming return from injury in the games ahead.

Tuesday’s episode of The Lager Line, sponsored by Karbach Brewing, features reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston’s six-game winning streak. Rockets topics include the roles of veterans such as Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green in closing out games; Alperen Sengun’s evolution into a star big man; Ime Udoka’s impressive coaching decisions; and what to make of inconsistency by young prospects Jabari Smith Jr. and Jalen Green.

After an 0-3 start to the 2023-24 season, Houston enters this week at 2-3 and having won two straight games by an average margin of 14 points. Monday’s episode explores reasons behind the improvement, led by Ime Udoka’s new-look defense and positive signs from Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun, and Jae’Sean Tate.The show also breaks down the uneven start by top prospects Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., including some issues that should be corrected with a larger sample size and others that could be longer-term concerns.