Rocket Fuel Podcast

Fueling your need for #Rockets news. @BinkleyHoops bring you in-depth, REAL analysis. Now part of the @Bleavnetwork and sponsored by @BetOnline_ag

[Rocket Fuel Podcast @RocketFuelPod]

Houston Rockets Season Preview!

@brandonkscott joins the show to discuss:

Opening night

Which Rocket is under the most pressure

What makes this a successful season?

Season-win prediction and more!

📺https://t.co/MbLPgpukmE

📻https://t.co/Nyo3pqAkkp

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

You can't call a much better offensive play than this

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Reed is a top 3 no dip 3-point shooter in the league.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

The opening play from the Rockets last night was one of their better plays of the season.

They start with both Sengun and KD on the far side of the court.

What that does is trigger the Warriors' defense into thinking they are about to run a two-man game.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

The Rockets finished with 29 assists last night, and part of the reason is their guards screening on all actions.

Ime mentioned it postgame, so I asked Alperen about the benefits of having guards willing to set good screens, like Fred and Marcus do.

“Fred has been one of the best screeners I ever played with.”

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

I joined @NateGriffFOX26 this morning to talk Rockets and Kevin Durant's playmaking in last night's win.”

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun each had high praise for the other after last night's win.

KD on AlP play
“To be honest I feel like everytime I have been playing with him about 95, 96 percent of the time he makes a solid decision.”

AlP on KD
“He made really good reads today finding me finding the shooters.”

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

KD when he was informed be was 2 assists short of a triple double.

“Shit”

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

KD finished with a season high 8 assists I asked KD if it is easier for him sometimes to see how a defense wants to guard him.

“I'm better up there. When I am running off the pin downs I am cool to but like you said I don't know where the defense is.”

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Update to previous injury report

Oscar Tshiebwe is also OUT for Tonight's game vs. the Nuggets due to illness.

That means the Rockets have no official backup centers active for Tonight's game.

Jae’Sean Tate small ball?

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

The Rockets are off to a great start despite the tough loss on Wednesday, but there is one area of the team where they may still need help.

https://t.co/h5SEwfyZnT

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

As expected theRockets have assigned Bruce Thornton to their NBA G League affiliate, Rio Grande Valley.

The Vipers kick off their season tomorrow against the Austin Spurs. The move gives Thornton the opportunity to be the main guy and gain experience.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

This is the Rockets' most versatile team since the 2017-18 team that won 65 games, and it's the main reason they have the league's best record.

The last game was a perfect example of the Rockets' versatility.

In the first half, the Rockets played bully ball in the paint.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Latest injury report

Paul George is OUT

Reed Sheppard Questionable
Clint Capella OUT

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

The Houston Rockets today announced they exercised their fourth-year option for guard Reed Sheppard.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Across five games, Kevin Durant is playing fewer minutes than last season and is taking a career-low 12.6 FGA per game, and the Rockets are still 5-0.

Less dependence on Durant is exactly what the Rockets need this season to possibly bring home a title for the first time in 31 years.

https://t.co/UrLY5j6r04

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

The one part that has stood out to me this season hasn't been on the offensive end but on defense and specifically from Kevin Durant.

From day one as a Rocket Durant has been great on defense as a helper and shot blocker. It hasn't been talked about enough.

The effort he has given has been impressive and he has 7 blocks in the last two games.

Here are all three from last night and I slow them down so you can see how Durant is playing position defense perfectly.

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Alperen Sengun is off to the best start of his career with career high numbers across the board.

I spoke with @NateGriffFOX26 about the Rockets center live this morning

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Is this team a better version of what it would have been last season if Fred VanVleet had been healthy, and if so, how many wins will that translate to? @brandonkscott shares his thoughts.

Full episode: https://t.co/g7RY9fQfqE…

[Lachard Binkley @BinkleyHoops]

Latest episode just dropped!
@brandonkscott, join the show to discuss:

Opening night
Rocket under the most pressure
What it will take this season to keep everyone off the hot seat
Win/loss predictions