The ten game mark of the NBA is interesting. You're at that point where you can start glancing at data and make observations, but history tells us that you shouldn't really draw conclusions until the 20-game mark. However, for some teams, if what we're seeing matches what we thought would happen before the season, it's okay to let confirmation bias creep in a little bit. The Houston Rockets, with a 1-9 record, are probably one of the those of teams.

Let's see what we can take away from the relatively small sample size of games.

5 Early Rockets Observations

1. The Rockets are bad… Not a surprise

When the Rockets committed to a starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green (under 100 NBA games combined), it shouldn't have been a surprise how ugly it was going to get. Young players don't score the ball efficiently, they usually are bad at defense, and they turn the ball over like crazy. And that describes the Rockets to a tee – a team bottom that's ten in offensive rating, defensive rating, and turnover percentage. Taking the under when the Rockets had a Las Vegas win total of 26.5 was like stealing money.

2. Jalen Green shows flashes of stardom, but is going to be a project

Although I had Evan Mobley as the second best prospect in the 2021 NBA Draft, this is still somewhat of a surprise to me. Green's performances at NBA Summer League made it feel like the G League had given him a leg up over the competition for his rookie season. Green is still far behind where he needs to be in his strength training, ball-handling ability, and defensive awareness. He also expressed how the speed of the NBA game surprised him in training camp.

However, Green's raw athleticism is already jumping off the page. His playmaking instincts are also much more advanced than I thought they would be in his rookie season. Green has a knack for making good dump-off passes to cutters and big men. The drive and kick game is something he'll need to also add, but this is encouraging for someone who didn't project to be the best playmaker.

3. Alperen Sengun is already one of Houston's best players

I'm trying my best to slow down on the gushing of rookie Alperen Sengun. Sengun was one of my favorite players in this year's draft, but even I didn't project him to be this good as a rookie. He's already played himself into a sixth man role with the Rockets. That's incredible for the 16th overall pick. He's already the best passer on the team, attempting and connecting on some of the most ludicrous passes of the season. As of right now, he's probably a starter caliber NBA player that's not starting.

Article Continues Below
More Houston Rockets News
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Nets exploring Cam Johnson trade with Raptors, RocketsErik Slater ·
Rockets, Joan Beringer, Danny Wolf, Will Riley, NBA Draft
3 players Houston Rockets must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftCameron Zunkel ·
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (middle left) and forward Tari Eason (middle right) hold towels on their faces during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets ‘anticipating’ Celtics trade talksDavid Yapkowitz ·
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) defends against Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets’ Giannis Antetokounmpo trade ‘uncertainty’ emergesBrett Siegel ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) defends against Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center.
Rockets rumors: Houston’s backup target if ‘priority’ Steven Adams leavesDavid Yapkowitz ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) looks up after a play during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Suns, Rockets talking Kevin Durant trade with ‘lowered’ asking priceJason Patt ·

We'll see if Sengun slows down as the season progresses and teams start to have a proper scouting report on him.

4. Eric Gordon is too good to be on this roster

Talent-wise, other than Christian Wood, there's nobody on the Rockets better than shooting guard Eric Gordon. Gordon has looked incredible during this first stretch of the season, averaging 13.8 points per game on 66.3% true shooting. His role is limited due to the high-usage guards he plays with, but Gordon has been a professional and done everything the Rockets have asked of him. He's gotten the basket at will (and finished well), he's made his threes, and he's played defense. He's re-established himself as one of the best role players in basketball and a playoff team is primed to come in and swoop him up at the trade deadline.

5. The Rockets need to make some trades

For a team that's trying to rebuild, there are far too many veterans on Houston's roster. Obviously the team can't be entirely young players, but the current roster encourages the worst instinct of NBA coaches in a rebuild: playing veterans over young players. Most of the time, coaches are right in that a veteran player is typically much better than his young player counterpart. However, for the Rockets, none of this matters because they aren't trying to win games. And in the cases of Daniel Theis, Danuel House, and D.J. Augustin, I'm not sure how true that statement is.

Players like K.J. Martin and Josh Christopher deserve to get reps if they're still going to be on the main roster. Rockets GM Rafael Stone should consider going further than just trading Eric Gordon at the deadline. Sure, that will open up minutes, but accelerating a teardown of the roster may be the smartest move Houston can make as a franchise right now.