Rockets’ Hot Start Signals They’re The Real Deal

The Rockets at 10-5? That’s no accident. This is a young team that’s been quietly putting the pieces together, and now it’s starting to show.

There’s a lot to like here — a strong point differential, some serious depth, and a mix of talent that could carry them far.

You look at how they’ve been projected by ESPN’s Basketball Power Index as a top-four team in the West, and it starts to make sense. This is no longer the Rockets we’ve been watching the past few years.

What stands out most is how hard they play. Alperen Sengun? He’s become the engine of this team. Big guys who can pass, score, and rebound like him don’t come around often. And Fred VanVleet has been just what they needed—someone to keep the young guys focused while delivering in the clutch. Jalen Green? He’s a scorer, no doubt, and the kind of player who makes you sit up and pay attention.

But like any young team, they’ve got their flaws. The half-court offense still needs work — Cleaning the Glass has them ranked 23rd in half-court efficiency. That’s not a winning formula when games slow down, especially in the playoffs.

They’ve been able to paper over it with offensive rebounding and fast-break points, but that only gets you so far. At some point, they’ll need to figure out how to score when the defense is set.

Still, the Rockets are proving something: they’re no longer just rebuilding. They’re competing.

It’s been a long road back for Houston, but they’ve found a way to play hard and play smart. If they can iron out a few wrinkles, this could be a team nobody wants to face in April and May.

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