The Rockets have returned in full force to the postseason after a five-year hiatus. Now, they’re looking towards making their strategy better next season. Head coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone guided the Rockets through a very exciting year. As you’ll see in the flip side, they encountered many more hurdles in the process. Jalen Green showed flashes of his scoring ability and scored the most points on the team. He came up short in key playoff games against the Golden State Warriors.
Green started in all 82 games for the second straight regular season, which definitely speaks to his resiliency and commitment. By the end of the season, he had become the team’s primary scoring option, averaging a team-high 22.7 points per game. From there, his performance peaked during Game 2 against the Warriors, where he carded an impressive 38-point performance. Green struggled immensely in the Rockets’ four defeats. He played terribly, averaging just 8 points and shooting an abysmal 31% from the floor.
Even with these obstacles, Green still managed to shoot a career-high from 3, finishing at 35.4%. Though this was a huge step forward on his process as a player, as he admitted that he had plenty of developing to do still. “First playoffs aren’t an excuse. I’ve got to be better. Everyone’s got something to work on this summer,” he stated in reflection on his performance.
The Rockets are experiencing thrilling production away from Green, too. Alperen Sengun made his debut as a first-time All-Star, and the Rockets took the opportunity to showcase him as their centerpiece for the future. In June, the Houston Rockets made Jabari Smith Jr. the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft. Reed Sheppard, fourth-selected in the 2024 class, only supplements the depth of talent in the squad’s young nucleus.
Moving forward, the Rockets have a top-flight cache of assets at their disposal to continue the construction. With that comes an embarrassment of riches, as they own nine first-round draft picks in the next seven drafts, with five of those being tradeable. On top of that, they’ve got seven second-rounders over that same period. It’s no coincidence that this strategic positioning gives them incredible latitude to put together a competitive roster.
Stone said he was ‘very pleased’ with the direction the team is heading in. “I think we’re on a very solid trajectory,” he remarked while emphasizing the importance of continued effort from all members of the organization. The fact that you’ve accomplished all of that in the past does not mean you are automatically guaranteed to accomplish it all in the future. So, it requires us to really keep doing that work, which to some extent begins on that personal level.
Continuity, as a result, is the key to the Rockets’ strategy. Udoka stressed that they wouldn’t have the same issues in their next playoff run, looking ahead to a potential repeat appearance, starting in Game 1. “Next time we’re in the playoffs, it’s hit the ground running from Game 1, not take a step back,” he said.
Stone reaffirmed this idea, emphasizing that everyone on the inside has to come back better for next year. That’s what we have to work around the edges, uh, are there things we can do, uh, things that don’t involve doing everything, including doing nothing. We have to do our jobs. Ime and his staff, they’ve got to play their part too. We all need to go home and do better next year,” he said.
Rockets’ ownership is completely behind this plan to revitalize the area. Stone reassured that team owner Tilman Fertitta is fully supportive with their long-term plan. He noted that while this season has been memorable, it localized future successes. They need to continue being vigilant and proactive in their efforts.
Everyone’s focus is on doing better and returning stronger. That was the message that we kind of left with, Stone added. The upcoming offseason will prove crucial for the young roster as they look to refine their skills and enhance team cohesion.
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