Resurgence of the Houston Rockets, The Houston Rockets have completed one of the NBA’s most impressive turnarounds, going from league laughingstock to Western Conference playoff contender in just one offseason. With a revamped roster, new coaching staff, and young stars taking leaps, Houston has become must-watch basketball again. This isn’t just improvement—it’s the birth of a new era in Rockets basketball.
This 1,500+ word deep dive examines:
-
Alperen Şengün’s emergence as an All-Star caliber center
-
Jalen Green’s development into a franchise cornerstone
-
The impact of veteran additions Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks
-
Ime Udoka’s coaching masterpiece
-
How Houston’s rebuild compares to other young teams
By the Numbers: Houston’s Statistical Transformation
Year-over-Year Improvements
| Category | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Record | 22-60 | 31-23 | +19 win pace |
| Offensive Rating | 110.7 (27th) | 115.1 (16th) | +4.4 |
| Defensive Rating | 118.6 (29th) | 112.3 (8th) | +6.3 |
| Net Rating | -7.9 | +2.8 | +10.7 |
| Clutch Win % | 31.7% | 58.3% | +26.6% |
According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Rockets rank:
-
1st in opponent fastbreak points allowed (10.1)
-
3rd in defensive rebounding percentage (74.9%)
-
5th in opponent three-point percentage (34.8%)
Alperen Şengün: The Centerpiece of Houston’s Future
Breakout Season
-
21.8 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.1 APG
-
55.7% FG, 32.1% 3PT (stretching floor)
-
1.2 SPG, 0.9 BPG (improved defense)
Historical Company
Only players age 21 or younger to average 20/9/5:
-
Nikola Jokić (2016-17)
-
Alperen Şengün (2023-24)
-
None others in NBA history
Jalen Green: From Inconsistent to Dominant
Post-All Star Surge
-
24.1 PPG on 48.3% FG (vs 18.9 on 41.1% before)
-
38.9% from three (up from 32.1%)
-
+7.9 on-court net rating (vs -1.3 before)
Attacking Improvements
-
Finishing 64.1% at rim (up from 53.8%)
-
Drawing 6.1 fouls per game (up from 3.9)
-
1.18 PPP on drives (top 15% in NBA)
Veteran Additions Paying Dividends
Fred VanVleet’s Impact
-
16.9 PPG, 8.1 APG (career-high), 1.4 SPG
-
+9.3 on-court net rating
-
Reduced turnovers from 14.9% to 11.1% of possessions
Dillon Brooks’ Defensive Leadership
-
Holding opponents to 41.3% FG as primary defender
-
2.3 deflections per game (team-high)
-
+6.7 defensive on/off rating
Ime Udoka’s Coaching Masterclass
Defensive Revolution
Resurgence of the Houston Rockets, Implemented systems that:
-
Reduced opponent fastbreak points by 28%
-
Improved defensive rebounding by 12%
-
Cut opponent three-point percentage by 4.1%
Player Development
Notable improvements:
-
Şengün’s defense (+3.2 DRtg)
-
Green’s efficiency (+5.2% TS)
-
Jabari Smith Jr.’s three-point shooting (38.9%)
Playoff Outlook: How Far Can They Go?
NBA Newsz’s Projection Model gives Houston:
-
78% chance to make play-in
-
52% chance to reach playoffs
-
21% chance to win first round
-
6% chance to reach Conference Finals
Read More: The Orlando Magic’s Youth Movement: How the NBA’s Youngest Team is Defying Expectations
Conclusion
Resurgence of the Houston Rockets, The Rockets have accelerated their rebuild faster than anyone anticipated. With Şengün emerging as a franchise centerpiece, Green developing into a star, and Udoka establishing a winning culture, Houston basketball is relevant again. The rebuild is over—the contention begins now.
For daily Rockets coverage and draft analysis, visit NBA Newsz.
No comment