EVERY-THING SPORTS

There's no getting around it, the Rockets must feed their future

Rockets Eric Gordon, Jalen Green, Christian Wood
Let's see what the young guys can do with more playing time. Composite image by Jack Brame.
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The Rockets beat the Southwest division leading and second place Western Conference Memphis Grizzlies 123-112 right here in Houston on Sunday night. It gave Rockets' fans a sliver of hope and glimpse into the future in what has otherwise been a dismal season so far. The next night, they lost to Eastern Conference leading Miami Heat 123-106 in Miami. That game got away from them in the second and third quarters after they had a lead coming out of the first quarter. This is still a very young team in need of growth and development. They may not have all the right pieces in place, but they have enough of them in order to get started on building in the right direction.

When trying to grow and develop a young team, they need playing time, practice together, and as many reps as possible in live game action. Of course, health and work ethic are important, but being thrown in the fire and tested (hopefully passing said tests) is the best way to gain that necessary experience. When they selected Jalen Green with the number two overall pick, it was assumed everything would be built around him. So far, Christian Wood has remained the center point while Green and others have been reduced to second fiddles.

Green has recently seen a slight uptick in his shots, minutes, and production overall. The more he’s played, he’s played well and shot a much better percentage. In March, he’s averaged 21.8ppg, 4.0rpg, 3.8apg (1.4TOs), 51.2% FG, 34.2% 3pt, and a 59.9% true shooting percentage. Kevin Porter Jr has had a decent March as well: 19.0ppg, 3.8rpg, 5.3apg (2.8TOs), 1.0spg, 43.5% FG, 34.3% 3pt, 54.0% true shooting percentage. When I watch the Rockets, I often see Wood commanding the most touches and shots. Lately, Green and KPJ have been a bit more assertive.

Another guy who’s been seeing more action and proving himself has been Alperen Sengun. In February and March, he’s averaged more than 20 minutes a game, about 10ppg and 6rpg. The more he plays, the better I like his game. His footwork was decent, but you can tell he’s been working with Hakeem Olajuwon to tighten it up and fine tune some things. His basketball IQ and passing ability jumps off the screen, especially in pick & roll or post situations. If he develops his outside shot to be more consistent and stretches it out to the three-point line, he’ll be even more dangerous.

Initially, I wanted Wood to stay and grow with the other core members of the roster. I was wrong, changed course, and saw the light. All it took was for me to key in on Sengun’s ability to be a better fit with Green and KPJ over Wood. He’s more unselfish and seems to have a better attitude. Wood is too worried about getting his and making sure people know he’s never at fault. He whines and cries and points fingers and always has the most incredulous look when something goes wrong when he’s involved. Sengun on the other hand, is fun-loving, carefree, and seems like he really enjoys the game.

Coach Stephen Silas has been playing these youngsters more and trusting them in key situations. Josh Christopher is another youngster who’s been playing well at times and showing potential. The work he puts in before and after games is impressive for a rookie. Coach Silas has grown to trust these kids with handling key situations. Seeing them grow and realize their potential is something I hope he gets to see to the finish line. Former players he’s coached in the past have all credited him with helping them grow. Look no further than right up I-45 at Luka Dončić, who heaped praise on Silas when he took the Rockets’ job.

Ultimately, that decision will be up to owner Tilman Fertitta and general manager Rafael Stone. Fertitta will determine whether Stone keeps his job if he can buy the best groceries to allow Silas to cook a good meal. The way that meal turns out will determine who stays and goes. Here’s to hoping this is worthy of a Michelin Award and not a 1-star rating on Yelp.

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The Texans will look to get back on track this Sunday against the Colts. Composite Getty Image.

C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.

Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.

“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”

The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.

They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.

Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.

Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.

“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”

Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.

What's working

The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.

Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.

What needs help

The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.

Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.

Stock up

RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.

Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.

“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”

Stock down

Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.

Injuries

LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.

Key number

3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.

Next steps

The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.

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