The Houston Rockets are a whopping sixth in net rating so far this season, a stark change that shows they're raring to compete every night this season after several tough years of rebuilding. The acquisitions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have been a boon for this franchise, with both players providing an important veteran presence for this youthful roster.
Since the Rockets are a relatively young squad, the leadership of VanVleet and Brooks has been significant for their early-season success. The majority of NBA pundits had Houston looking outside of the play-in tournament by the end of their campaign, but they have proven that they will legitimately compete for a top-10 spot in the Western Conference.
Alperen Sengun is another fantastic piece from their core who has improved immensely, as many of the offensive sets of newly hired head coach Ime Udoka rely on his skill and IQ. Given their early success, it is difficult to elaborate on any disappointment for this Rockets franchise because they have completely exceeded expectations, but not everything has been smooth sailing.
Injuries to Amen Thompson and Tari Eason
Over the past couple of years, Houston has been a cellar-dweller organization in the standings, leading to numerous top-five picks. The most recent one was Overtime Elite standout Amen Thompson in the 2023 NBA Draft, who was selected over his twin brother Ausar. Both of them stand out among their peers because of their sensational athleticism, but Ausar is the one who has thrived in the first several games of their career with the Detroit Pistons.
Ausar's defensive prowess and nose for the ball would have been perfect in Udoka's system. The Rockets have VanVleet, Sengun, Jalen Green, and Jabari Smith Jr. to handle the scoring workload, so Ausar would have fit like a glove in Houston. The front office had the opportunity to select Ausar, but they chose the similarly impressive Amen, though he will sidelined for an extended period because of an ankle injury.
This is not a glaring disappointment or mistake from the organization because it is still at the early juncture of their respective careers, but this selection could wind up being one they want back. Hopefully, Amen Thompson is able to return soon and make a legitimate impact on this roster.
One guy who is back in the lineup is versatile forward Tari Eason. A stress reaction in his left leg kept him on the sidelines for the first six contests of the year, but he is back on a minutes restriction and will look to make his mark on this team.
Eason's emergence as a phenomenal defender has solidified his role with the Rockets. His upside as a serviceable two-way player in the future is high, and the hope is he will develop his offensive game and improve his jumper.
There's not much negativity in Houston as of the moment because of their unexpected start by beating teams like the Sacramento Kings twice and the Los Angeles Lakers, so the hope is for the injuries to lessen and the victories to conintue.
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