EVERY-THING SPORTS
Let's discuss some important post All-Star break expectations for Rockets
Feb 23, 2022, 10:08 am
It's about the journey. Composite image by Jack Brame.
The NBA is taking its annual All-Star Game break. No, this isn't the mid-point of the season as most teams have less than 30 games left to play in their 82-game schedules. Teams will resume playing on Thursday evening. As of this writing, the Rockets own the third-worst record in the league. That puts them in position to have yet another shot at one of the top picks in the upcoming draft with their own first round pick. The other first rounder they have will come from the Nets or Heat, whichever is higher, but it's top 14 protected.
Let's be honest for a minute. Having the third-worst record in the league is a good thing...but only if it lands them a top three pick in the draft lottery. This team is in rebuild mode. The best way to rebuild is to stockpile top draft picks and hopefully hit on them. No quality free agents want to come be a part of a rebuilding process. Once the Rockets get to the tipping point between irrelevancy and being consistent playoff contenders, then they'll be able to attract a top free agent that can help put them over.
That being said, I'm still looking forward to what this team will do after the break. Why? Because I'm enjoying watching the journey. Sure, they may not be winning as much as people would like, but watching them grow as players and as a team will pay off when they're fighting for playoff positioning. Jalen Green is a special talent with freaky athletic ability. Alperen Sengun has the game to be a perfect pair with Green. Kevin Porter Jr has similar potential to Green. Christian Wood is still on the roster, despite calls for him to be traded, and has grown into his contract. Ask him, and he's exceeded it. Whether he's here for the long term remains to be seen. He'll be a building block whether he's here playing, or he nets a decent return in a trade.
Watching this team requires the knowledge that they more than likely won't win. What I look for is player development. Do they play the pick and roll properly on offense and defense? How do they communicate and rotate on defense? Are they taking good shots? Meaning: are they taking too many contested fallaway threes, or are they taking more open looks? Are they limiting turnovers? Growth takes place over time. It also involves repetition. Repetition comes with playing time and practice.
We'll be able to tell if this young team is putting in the work when we see them play. Over time, we should see them improve in different facets of their game. With a team this young, how they perform in crunch time of a close game is another sign. Dealing with the adversity of another losing season is huge as well. Those are signs you see from players who are mentally tough and know what a marathon the season, and a successful career, truly is.
Is this team worth watching? Absolutely. Will it be all fun and games? Not at all. Those who love the game of basketball, especially this team, will watch no matter what. Casual fans won't because the team isn't winning. Now is the time to get to know this squad. They're young, talented, and have potential to grow into a playoff contender. Give these kids a shot. They'll entertain you for sure, just don't expect too many wins...for now.
Will Houston's offense improve with a new OC calling the shots? Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images.
As quarterback C.J. Stroud returns to lead the Houston Texans for a third season, his offense has a much different look than it did a year ago.
Top receiver Nico Collins and leading rusher Joe Mixon are back. But the Texans have a new offensive coordinator in Nick Caley after Bobby Slowik was fired and longtime left tackle Laremy Tunsil was traded to the Commanders in the offseason.
In other moves on offense, Houston traded for receiver Christian Kirk, signed receiver Justin Watson and drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel before signing running back Nick Chubb last month.
Chubb should get a lot of work early in camp with Mixon opening camp on the non-football injury list after missing minicamp with an ankle injury.
“Every year you’re looking to add more and more to your team,” coach DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday as the Texans opened camp. “I’m excited about the receivers that we’ve added. The young guys, Noel, Higgins, also with Kirk, Watson, all the guys we’ve added at those spots will definitely enhance our offense, giving us more options for where the football can go, and that will help our quarterback a lot.”
It’s officially training camp szn ‼️ pic.twitter.com/WBYXQE8myg
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 23, 2025
The Texans needed depth at receiver after veterans Stefon Diggs and Robert Woods left in free agency and with Tank Dell out indefinitely recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained in December.
Even though it’s early, Stroud has already been impressed by his rookie receivers. Higgins, who has been compared to Collins, had 87 receptions for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season for the Cyclones and Noel added 80 catches for 1,194 yards and eight scores.
“They’ve came in with a great mindset,” Stroud said. “They are really mature guys. Guys who love to work, consistently, here at the building or working with me in the offseason. So, I’m really excited to see those guys’ growth and see them take a step forward each and every day. Not going to be perfect for them, but I think they’re going to make a lot of plays.”
I am speed 🏃♂️ pic.twitter.com/Z6tjqebi1z
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 23, 2025
While the Texans addressed their need at receiver, their most pressing issue is improving the offensive line after Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, which ranked second in the NFL. Though Tunsil was penalty-prone he was Houston’s most consistent lineman and replacing him won’t be easy.
Second-round pick Aireontae Ersery could be Houston’s left tackle of the future after starting 38 games at the position over three seasons at Minnesota. But veteran Cam Robinson will likely open the season at left tackle while Ersery adjusts to the NFL.
Ryans knows everyone is concerned about the offensive line after Stroud was sacked eight times in a 23-14 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last season.
“I know I’m going to get a ton of questions about the offensive line and what it looks like,” Ryans said. “You guys will see what it looks like when we line up across from another team and we get a chance to actually compete in live reps. Me talking to you is probably not going to convince anybody here … we’ll see what it looks like, man. I’m excited about the group because I know they’ll be better.”
Stroud is also looking to take another step after leading the Texans to the postseason in each of his first two seasons. Stroud threw for 3,727 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 games last season after winning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in his debut when he had 4,108 yards passing with 23 TD passes and just five interceptions in 15 games.
He was asked what the biggest lesson he learned last year was that he believes will help him this season.
“Just trust the process,” he said. “It’s not about what people think, who people think you are, what they think you are or when they think you should do it. It’s about your process and how you’re going to go about it. If God is happy, your teammates are happy and yourself, then you’re good.”
You can watch Stroud discuss his growth as a QB in the video below.
'I've grown a lot' #Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud @CJ7STROUD @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/OOMIWpC8zF
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) July 23, 2025