
Rockets.com
The Rockets fell short of their ultimate goal again this season. Every team's ultimate goal is winning the NBA title. The Rockets, however, have made it known that they are obsessed with beating the Golden State Warriors. Some would say they had their best shot was this season (Kevin Durant being injured and missing time, plus Ayesha Curry putting her and Steph's love life out for all to opine on), others would argue last season was their best shot (a Chris Paul hamstring away). Either way, they fell short and had plenty of opportunities each time to dethrone the Warriors' dynasty.
News has come down lately that may speak into some chinks in the armor that may have led to the Rockets' demise the last couple seasons. It has been talked about on this site by Charlie Pallilo; Joel Blank (twice); Salman Ali (twice); Paul Muth; and by Lance Zierlien, John Granato, and Raheel Ramzanali (twice). I wrote about how the Rockets still have a place in the hearts of Houston sports fans compared to the Texans despite them losing to the Warriors. However, there may be a bigger opponent the team is fighting that may come from within.
Reading through the tea leaves of a Marc Stein quote tweet of Jonathan Feigen, may tell us more about what's to become of this iteration of the Rockets.If anything can be derived from these tea leaves, it's saying that Mike D'antoni may either be on his way out, and/or being forced to make changes in his coaching staff if he wants to get an extension. Either way, it shows Tillman Fertitta is putting his imprint on things and not settling for the status quo.
Where does this leave general manager Daryl Morey? Morey seems to be in a bit of a safe spot. He signed a five year extension in March. Meanwhile, D'Antoni is working on the last year of his deal, and has had some of his handpicked assistants Thanos-snapped away. Morey is still under pressure to produce in my opinion because Fertitta won't accept anything less than an NBA title while this team has James Harden in his prime.With the team over the currently salary cap and bucking the luxury tax threshold (especially depending on what moves they make this offseason), it'll take a miracle for Morey to make any moves that'll vastly improve this team's chances. Considering they have no first round picks, very few desirable assets worth trading, and a couple albatross worthy contracts, Morey will have to Jedi mind trick his way through yet another offseason of transactions. That, or he'll have to hope he finds more diamonds in the rough like he did this past season with guys like Austin Rivers, Kenneth Faried, and Danuel House. But if D'Antoni doesn't cook up something with the groceries he's been provided with 9as has been his M.O. in the playoffs), he may be on the outs soon being as Morey is the one with the job security via his extension.
I have full faith this team will continue to play at a high level during the regular seasons in the years to come. Post-season play and performance is up for debate. as it stands, their best hope is for the Warriors and the rest of the Western Conference to stagnate or get worse, while they continue on their pace. That, or pray for a miracle. As the old saying I was taught by my grandfather goes: "crap in one hand and wish in the other, see which one gets full first."
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How Astros just put league on notice with dominant pitching, clutch hitting
Jun 26, 2025, 7:08 pm
Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.
CAM SMITH COMES THROUGH! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Y6dtPpXF9J
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.
Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.
Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.
FULL THROTTLE.
Hunter Brown now leads the MLB in lowest ERA (1.74). #BuiltForFuel pic.twitter.com/nkwT2MpgJQ
— Houston Astros (@astros) June 26, 2025
Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.
Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!
🧹🧹🧹
After the @Astros completed their sweep of the Phillies, @JuliaMorales visited with Bryan Abreu!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/UeOOSNDKwW
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) June 26, 2025
Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.
Key moment
Smith’s RBI.
Key stat
Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.
Up next
The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.
The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).