The smell of fresh popcorn and the distant squeak of sneakers on hardwood always takes me back to my first Rockets game back in '95. I was just a kid then, clutching my Hakeem Olajuwon jersey, completely mesmerized by the way The Dream moved on the court. That memory came flooding back last night as I watched our current squad during their preseason scrimmage, and it got me thinking about what we can expect this year. You see, following the Rockets has taught me that rebuilding isn't just about collecting talent—it's about patience, about waiting for that perfect moment when everything clicks into place. It reminds me of that classic boxing match where Llover took his time and fought a patient fight, before finally finding an opening in the eighth round when a series of combinations finally took its toll on the fading Concepcion. That's exactly where our Rockets are right now—we've been patient through these rebuilding years, and now I genuinely believe we're about to see those combinations start landing.
Let's talk about Jalen Green first, because honestly, how can you not? The kid is pure electricity. I've watched every one of his 72 games last season, and let me tell you, his development curve isn't just steep—it's vertical. Remember when he dropped 41 points against the Timberwolves last April? I was there, and the arena just erupted every time he touched the ball. His scoring average jumped from 17.3 as a rookie to 22.1 last year, and I'm betting he cracks 25 this season. But what really gets me excited isn't just the numbers—it's the way he's learning to pick his moments. He's that eighth-round combination waiting to happen, the explosive finisher who's learning when to strike.
Then there's Alperen Şengün, who might just be the most clever big man we've had since Yao Ming. I was skeptical when we drafted him—another European big, I thought, probably soft. Man, was I wrong. Watching him operate in the post is like watching a chess master at work. His footwork? Absolutely sublime. He averaged 14.8 points and 9 rebounds last season, but his basketball IQ is off the charts. I remember this one play against Memphis where he faked a handoff, spun baseline, and finished with a left-handed hook that had me jumping off my couch. He's the patient fighter in the paint, the one who'll wear you down before delivering the knockout blow.
Our new coach Ime Udoka has been implementing this defensive system that's frankly... brutal. During the open practice I attended last month, he had them running defensive drills for a solid 45 minutes straight. "We're going to be the most conditioned team in the league," he shouted, and I believe him. The defensive rating improved from 29th to 19th last season, and I'm projecting we crack the top 15 this year. That's the kind of gradual improvement that wins you games you have no business winning.
Now, about our rookies—Amen Thompson looks like he could be the steal of the draft. His wingspan measures at 7 feet even though he's only 6'7", and in the summer league, he was averaging 4.2 assists in just 24 minutes. But it's his defensive potential that has me most excited. I saw him get three steals in five minutes against the Kings' summer squad, and his lateral quickness is just unnatural.
What really makes this team special though, in my completely biased opinion, is how these pieces are starting to fit together. We've got Jabari Smith Jr. stretching the floor—he improved his three-point percentage from 30.7% to 35.8% in the second half of last season. We've got Kevin Porter Jr. running the point, though I'll admit I'm still not completely sold on his decision-making in crunch time. And we've got Tari Eason coming off the bench bringing that energy we desperately need.
This brings me to what I've been calling my "NBA Rockets Roster Analysis and Key Players to Watch This Season" theory—see what I did there? It's not just about individual talent anymore. It's about how Green's driving creates openings for Şengün's post game, how Smith's shooting spacing gives Porter driving lanes, how Thompson's defense leads to transition opportunities. We're no longer waiting for one superstar to carry us—we're building something that resembles those great Spurs teams, where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
I know we probably won't win the championship this year—realistically, I'm predicting we finish around 42-40 and maybe sneak into the play-in tournament. But for the first time in what feels like forever, I can see the blueprint coming together. We've been that patient fighter taking punches, developing our young core, waiting for our moment. Now, as we enter this new season, I get the feeling we're about to see that series of combinations that Llover used so effectively—not in the eighth round, but over 82 games that will announce the Rockets' return to relevance. And honestly? I can't wait to watch it unfold.
