Houston Rockets:

Ups and Downs But a Ways to Go

By: Michael A. Chase Jr.

12/22/2021 

For the Houston Rockets they came into this season without many expectations. A season where struggles were expected, and development of young players was the goal. Well 31 games into the year both ideals have been achieved by this Rockets team. The Unheralded Sports View will analyze the Houston Rockets season, highlighting the performances of some of their young core pieces, while identifying interesting trends that have occurred.

            The Houston Rockets own a 10-21 record sitting in 15th place in the Western Conference standings. You can truly break down their season so far into two segments. The first segment being the first 17 games where the numbers and record showed them to be the worst team in the league. The second being the last 14 games where they have gone 9-5 and shown signs of growth as a young team. A true contrast that showcases the extreme stretches of play the Rockets have displayed this season.

            The Rockets 1-16 start to the season was a frustrating experience for this young group to begin the year. They struggled on both ends of the floor and had a hard time generating positive momentum. Defensively they allowed 111.4 points per game, including 120 or more points five times and 110 or more points nine times. They also incurred three 30+ point losses to Utah, Memphis, and Cleveland. Offensively they had their issues as this young group was challenged at times in executing coach Stephen Silas’ system. They averaged 100.1 scored per game, scoring under 100 points nine times during this season opening stretch. It is their play on the road that was really glaring as every player on their team played well below their season average. Specifically, forward Christian Wood scoring five fewer points and grabbing 2 fewer rebounds. It was an all-round nightmare beginning to their season, but one they have rebounded from based on their current play.

            Since this porous start Stephen Silas’s group has turned things around and looked more like a solid NBA team. They are 9-5 in their last 14 games, including winning 7 games in a row at the start of this stretch. They have collected notable wins over quality teams including Chicago, Brooklyn, and Atlanta, while improving offensively averaging 114.8 points per game. They are getting contributions across the roster, including 7 different players leading the team in scoring in games and having 6 players averaging double figures currently. Defensively they’ve allowed 116.4 points over these 13 games which is an increase from the previous stretch but is skewed by two games where them and their opponent scored over 125 points. They have managed to improve their play while missing their top two guards in Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green for the back end of this stretch. Meaning this team has seen others step up and play at a high level to win games and survive injury issues.

            The Rockets are led by an incredibly young core group as they have 7 players on their roster who are 21 years of age or younger and have an average age of 24.6 across the roster. You have 21-year-old guard Kevin Porter Jr. and 2nd overall pick 19-year-old guard Jalen Green who will be the foundation of their backcourt. Kevin Porter Jr. averages 12.8 points and a team leading 5.8 assists, while Jalen Green is the team’s third leading scorer at 14.0 points per game. It will be interesting to see if these two guards can function together, as they are stilling learning how to coexist on the floor. You have the earlier mentioned Christian Wood who at 26-years-old is the team’s leading scorer (16.7 ppg) and rebounder (11 rpg). The Rockets must determine if he is part of their core or a trade piece to gather more assets in this rebuild. Then you have other young pieces like Jae’Sean Tate, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Alperen Sengun who are getting valuable minutes to learn the NBA game. This team has plenty of young guys contributing and gaining confidence by the minute.

            Overall, the Houston Rockets season is going how many experts expected. They have had significant ups and downs, while seeing growth from some of their young players. It will take time to build a roster capable of competing in the tough Western Conference, but they have a few pieces in place. Plus, they will also need to decide on whether to trade veterans like Eric Gordon and Daniel Theis for future assets as well. The Rockets are on the right path, but they still have growing pains to go through as they continue this rebuilding season.