Setting up the Launch Pad:
Unprofessional Opinions on the Future of the Houston Rockets
I am beside myself right now, dear reader. The Dallas Mavericks, who traded away Luka Doncic for absolutely nothing to the Los Angeles Lakers, just got the first pick in the NBA Draft. The Mavericks had just a 1.8% chance of securing the first pick and they got it. This is the kind of thing that makes people think the Association is rigged. Dallas makes one of the worst trades of all time, which happens to help one of the NBA’s “premier” teams and they beat impossible odds to Capture the Flagg. It’s nauseating. It’s almost enough to make me not want to watch, but let's be honest with each other. We all know I’ll be watching next year, because I am an addict.
Now, let’s talk Rockets. My friends, I am finally at the acceptance stage of Grief. The bargaining stage got a little weird, but I have finally come to accept the fact that the Rockets lost. Now, I’m looking forward to the future and I have some ideas on how to improve this Rockets team. The Rockets did get the second seed in the West this year, no small feat, so the improvements don’t have to be drastic.
First things first - What do the Rockets need? It’s simple, dear reader, so painfully simple. The Rockets made 140 shots on 200 attempts at the free throw line in the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors - an abysmal 70%. Free throws grounded the Rockets in the playoffs. They desperately need a reliable shooter. The Rockets are hoping that the 2024 third overall pick Reed Sheppard will be that shooter. In limited minutes this year, Reed hit his three pointers at a 34% rate and shot 81% at the freethrow line. He has the ability to be the reliable offensive threat the Rockets need.
Or the Rockets could trade some draft capital and some young players for an established Star. Devin Booker and Giannis Antetokounmpo are rumored to be targets of the Houston Rockets. The Rockets have the 10th pick in this year’s draft as well as several Phoenix Suns draft picks in the future, which should be enticing when paired with some of the promising young talent the Rockets have on the roster. However, in my humble, unprofessional opinions, there are three players who are absolutely untouchable on this Rockets squad.
Walker’s Untouchables:
Jabari Smith Jr.
2024-25 Season Stats: Points - 12.2 Rebounds - 7.0 Assists - 1.1
Jabari Smith Jr. is my favorite Rocket. He has the intangibles that you want in every player - Selfless, hardworking, good attitude, great smile. Jabari’s statistics aren’t the most eye-popping, but stats do not tell the whole story, dear reader. Jabari is a monster on defense. Versatile enough to guard every position on the floor, Jarbari can be a small ball center or the small forward in a double big lineup. Jabari started off the season as a starter, but an injury sidelined him. Amen Thompson took his spot in the starting lineup while he was out. When Smith was healed up, he recognized that he could help the team better from the bench and, without so much as a pout, happily accepted the sixth man role. He is the ultimate professional and team player - a perfect glue guy for a team with championship aspirations.
Amen Thompson
2024-25 Season Stats: Points - 14.1 Rebounds - 8.2 Assists - 3.8
Another defensive monster, Amen Thompson is perhaps the most promising player on the Houston Rockets. His athleticism is only rivaled by his twin brother Ausar’s, who plays for the Detroit Pistons, and his speed is absolutely unbelievable. Amen has the ability to stay in front of the league’s quickest guards, giving players like Steph Curry some of their toughest outings during the season. He can drive to the basket at will, getting to the rim for a layup or pulling up for a free throw line jumper. If Amen can work on his outside shooting in the offseason and get a reliable three point shot, the sky's the limit for him, which makes sense, because he’s a Rocket.
Alperen Şengün
2024-25 Season Stats: Points - 19.1 Rebounds - 10.3 Assists - 4.9
Hailing from Turkey, the 16th pick of the 2021 draft is shaping up to be one of the steals of the century. Şengün took a major leap this year, earning his first All-Star appearance and becoming a major force on the offensive side of the court. His fantastic vision and basketball IQ makes him one of the best floor generals in the NBA. He will always make the correct pass - finding open cutters in the dunker’s spot or throwing a skip pass to the open man on the wing for a huge three. Alpi sees the game in slow motion and is often compared to three time MVP, Nikola Jokic. His footwork is elite, thanks to his training with the great Hakeem Olajuwon. Alpi is the star that the Rockets need to build around.
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Ultimately, the Rockets are coming off an amazing season and will have a tough time following it up next year. I trust the Rocket’s front office to make the right choices, no matter how tough they may be, to help the team take the next step towards the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Walker’s Weekly Wrecommendations
Each week I’m gonna review and recommend random things - TV shows, music, or a restaurant. IDK. Whatever I feel like. This is my blog.
This week's Triple W is Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” Thunderbolts is a fun action packed adventure that throws together some of the MCU’s most notorious characters: John Walker - the disgraced Captain America, Yelena Belova - the Black Widow, Alexei Shostakov - the Red Guardian, Ava Starr - Ghost, Antonia Dreykov - Taskmaster, all led by the reluctant Bucky Barnes. This colorful cast of misfits learn to come together to save the day in a fast paced thrill ride that reminds us why we loved the MCU in the first place.
NEXT WEEK: Walker’s Wranting’s presents “A Walker’s Wrant Top Ten List”