Oct. 14, 2024 10:13 AM EST

Rockets Look To Return To Playoffs In Second Season Under Ime Udoka After 19-Game Jump In Year 1

By The Associated Press
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Nate Billings, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) talks to coach Ime Udoka, left, during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, right, talks to forward Dillon Brooks (9) on the bench during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
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Houston Rockets

Last season: 41-41.

COACH: Ime Udoka (Second season with Rockets, third season overall, 92-72).

SEASON OPENER: Oct. 25 vs. Charlotte.

DEPARTURES: C Boban Marjanovic, SF Reggie Bullock.

ADDITIONS: G Reed Sheppard, F Thon Maker.

BetMGM championship odds: 80-1.

What to expect

After making a 19-game improvement in the first season under Udoka, the Rockets have adopted a playoffs-or-bust mantra this season. They have reason to believe that could happen with a team that is virtually unchanged from last season. The additions of Dillon Brooks and Fred Van Vleet before last season added much-needed veteran experience and leadership to help Houston’s young players develop. Now recent high draft picks Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson must all take a step forward for the Rockets to reach the postseason for the first time since James Harden led the team in 2020.

Strengths and weaknesses

The good: The Rockets return their entire starting lineup from last season and should be improved in the second year together. Van Vleet and Brooks meshed immediately with their new teammates last season to help the Rockets get out the NBA’s basement and inch closer to a return to the postseason. Defense should again be a strength of the team after the Rockets ranked ninth on defense in their first season under Udoka. Center Alperen Sengun returns after making a big jump last season in his third year in the league. He led the team with career highs in both points (21.1) and rebounds (9.3) before an ankle injury cost him the last 19 games of the season.

The not-so-good: Green, the second overall pick in 2021, has shown flashes of greatness in his first three seasons but has mostly been known for his inconsistency. Entering the last year of his rookie deal, the 22-year-old must improve and become more of a leader on this team, or it could be his last year with the Rockets. Amen Thompson, taken fourth in the 2023 draft, had a lackluster rookie season where he missed 20 games with injuries to put him behind Houston’s other young stars. He’ll have to play catch up this year if he hopes to get significant playing time after the Rockets added Sheppard in this draft.

Players to watch

Many around the league are eager to see how Sheppard’s elite shooting in his one season at Kentucky will translate to the NBA. Though undersized, the Rockets believe that his 3-point shooting will be a major asset to this team as it tries to make another jump this season. Sheppard, selected third in the draft, shot 52.1% from 3-point range and made 83.1% of his free throws last season. The addition of his shooting and more consistent play from Green could be the recipe the Rockets need to make a playoff push.

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