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PODCAST

Rockets LaunchPod

Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2025-26 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the performance of star players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun; potential transactions in 2025 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.

sports basketball

All Episodes

59:04

Preseason takeaways: An identity shift for the Rockets?

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/10/10

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday’s episode features reaction to Houston’s 2-0 start to preseason play. Topics include strong showings from the likes of Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as early indications that the Rockets’ identity this season might be more driven by their offense.With a focus on player evaluations, the show concludes with a look at Ime Udoka’s end-of-the-rotation options and how much players such as Clint Capela and JD Davison

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33:16

ClutchFans Live: Kevin Durant dazzles in his Houston...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/10/09

As part of a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston’s 140-127 victory over Utah on Wednesday night. The Rockets are now 2-0 in preseason play.Topics include an electric Rockets debut for Kevin Durant, who had 20 points (70% FG) on elite efficiency in only 23 minutes. The discussion also hits on Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, who all showed promising signs — perhaps due in large part to the attention drawn by KD.Defensively,

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29:54

Alperen Sengun, JD Davison shine as Rockets open...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/10/07

In a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston’s victory over Atlanta to open the 2025-26 preseason. Topics include strong performances by Alperen Sengun and JD Davison, as well as a somewhat underwhelming showing by Reed Sheppard as the starting point guard. The episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb8ImorC0To

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69:10

Emergency pod: Rockets lose Fred VanVleet to ACL tear

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/09/23

Monday’s emergency podcast features a roundtable forum of Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (@ClutchFans) reacting to Fred VanVleet’s potentially season ending ACL tear. Topics include the Rockets’ internal and external options to fill his role at point guard, as well as why the shocking news isn’t necessarily the end of Houston’s 2026 championship hopes.

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75:07

Fifth starter debate, lineup optimization, Alperen...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/09/19

Per head coach Ime Udoka, Houston will have an open competition at training camp for its fifth and final spot in the starting lineup. Friday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the news, including a look at the pros and cons of Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, and Tari Eason in that role.The episode also explores potential strategies to optimize each unit of the playing rotation, along with perspective on Alperen Sengun’s elite EuroBasket play for

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72:09

Can Rockets, Tari Eason agree to a contract extension?

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/08/27

Wednesday’sepisode breaks down the ongoing contract extension negotiations between the Rockets and fourth-year forward Tari Eason, including new reasons for optimism and projections on what a deal might look like. The deadline for rookie-scale extensions comes prior to the NBA’s October 21 regular-season opener, so negotiations between Eason and Houston executives will be active over the coming days and weeks.

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74:37

2025-26 schedule reaction and Kevin Durant extension...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/08/15

Friday’s show with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves features reaction to Houston’s newly released schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season, as well as recent rumors regarding Kevin Durant’s next contract and why it might not be finalized this offseason.

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64:05

Are Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard ready for...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/07/29

With the NBA’s 2025 summer league in the books and the Rockets giving what will likely be their final standard contract to defensive wing Josh Okogie, Houston appears set to enter the 2025-26 season with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard as its primary ball-handlers and play initiators among rotation players.After a brief but underwhelming stint in Las Vegas, Tuesday’s show explores whether Sheppard is up for the point-guard task, as well as whether Thompson is ready to take on the

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72:56

Cam Whitmore trade reaction and Houston’s remaining...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/07/11

Friday’s episode features reaction to the Rockets trading Cam Whitmore to Washington and a preview of Houston’s upcoming summer-league games in Las Vegas (where second-year guard Reed Sheppard will be a clear focal point).The show also recaps recent interview comments by general manager Rafael Stone and shows why he’s probably correct in his belief that the remainder of the 2025 offseason will be quiet.

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84:26

All systems go: Reviewing Rockets’ epic 2025...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/07/02

With marquee external additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, along with efficient contract extensions for key personnel such as Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets have turned heads throughout the NBA with their 2025 offseason. According to oddsmakers, they’re now among the leading championship contenders for the 2026 NBA Finals.In Wednesday’s episode (sponsored by Karbach Brewing), our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to the latest

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12:39

Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela in, Cam Whitmore...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/07/01

In a phone segment on Tuesday’s The Sean Salisbury Show (SportsTalk 790), our Ben DuBose offers insight on Houston’s rapid free agency agreements with Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.Other topics include what weaknesses the Rockets still have, if any; whether general manager Rafael Stone might pursue another All-Star acquisition to pair with Kevin Durant; and perspective on why Cam Whitmore appears to be a trade candidate.

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45:34

Jabari Smith Jr. extends, Dorian Finney-Smith rumors...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/30

As free agency negotiations officially begin around the NBA, the Rockets are continuing a busy offseason. With Kevin Durant already in the fold, Houston has recently agreed to new contracts with Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, and there are rumors that Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could be an attainable target during the opening days of 2025 free agency.Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday’s episode explores all the various implications. Discussion topics include include how Smith and

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23:04

How Fred VanVleet’s cheaper contract could help the...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/25

Wednesday’s show features immediate reaction to Fred VanVleet’s cheaper-than-expected contract to re-sign for two years and $50 million (player option on the second season). Topics include what VanVleet’s new deal could mean in terms of increased spending power for the 2025 offseason, as well as more uncertainty regarding the future role of Cam Whitmore in Houston.

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54:24

Emergency show: Kevin Durant joins the Rockets!

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/22

Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Sunday’s show features immediate reaction to the blockbuster NBA trade sending All-Star forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets!Topics include why the outgoing compensation (Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall draft pick in 2025) is reasonable for Houston; what Durant choosing the Rockets says about the franchise; and how the remainder of the offseason could go as Houston gears up for a 2025-26 season with championship

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20:41

Rapid reaction: Steven Adams extension implications

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/14

The Rockets agreed Saturday to extend the contract of veteran center Steven Adams for three years and $39 million. Our rapid reaction podcast explores motivations for the deal and its implications, both for next season’s rotation and the potential of larger deals this offseason.

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49:33

Will the Rockets trade for Kevin Durant? Negotiations...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/14

With trade talks surrounding the Phoenix Suns and All-Star forward Kevin Durant potentially entering the closing stage, it appears Houston remains among the top suitors. Saturday’s podcast explores the landscape and the price points at which it makes sense for the Rockets to get a deal done (or walk away).

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34:41

Internal free agents: What deals should Fred VanVleet...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/10

When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude in a few days, teams across the league will be able to exclusively negotiate with their own pending free agents. With the Rockets, that includes names such as Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae’Sean Tate.So, with Houston’s payroll on the rise, what internal deals are likely to make basketball and business sense? Tuesday’s podcast explores the parameters, including why new three-year contracts for VanVleet (around $90 to $100 million, in

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42:19

Rumor roundup: Ime Udoka, Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/04

Wednesday’s episode features reaction and insight from our Ben DuBose to a handful of recent NBA rumors connected to the Rockets. Those include the New York Knicks’ reported interest in Ime Udoka as head coach; a potential Kevin Durant trade with the Phoenix Suns perhaps getting closer; and free agent Brook Lopez becoming a potential backup plan for Houston, should Steven Adams choose to sign elsewhere.

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34:37

As June begins, why Houston’s rumor mill remains...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/06/03

The Rockets remain a rumored trade suitor for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there hasn’t been much new intel since the NBA’s May 12 draft lottery. With that in mind, Monday’s show explores what Houston’s criteria for any external deal is likely to be in the weeks leading up to the June 25 draft and the June 30 opening of free agency.

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44:58

How a shocking NBA draft lottery affects the Rockets

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/05/13

The 2025 NBA draft lottery was an all-time shocker, and not in a good way for the Rockets. Despite entering with very low odds of moving up, divisional rivals Dallas and San Antonio are now slotted to pick at No. 1 and No. 2, where Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are considered the consensus top prospects. Houston will pick at No. 10 in the first round.In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate implications and storylines. Topics include why the Mavs or Spurs making

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