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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

28:40

Ripple effects of Jabari Smith Jr. breaking left hand

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/01/05

Sunday’s mini-episode features Ben’s reaction to Jabari Smith Jr. breaking his left hand, including potential lineup and rotation implications for players such as Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, Jae’Sean Tate, Tari Eason, and Jalen Green.

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80:32

New Year’s resolutions as Rockets enter 2025

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2025/01/03

Happy New Year! With 2025 now here, Friday’s show looks ahead to the games, weeks, and months ahead for Ime Udoka and a much-improved Houston team.Topics include the importance of carving out a rotation role for Cam Whitmore; the impact of newfound uncertainty surrounding the health of Tari Eason’s left leg; and if or when the Rockets (22-11) will be ready to make a marquee trade this year.

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94:45

Perception versus reality: What NBA Cup showed us...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/12/18

Thanks to another lethargic showing on offense, the Rockets (17-9) lost in the semifinals of the NBA Cup to the Thunder. But on the back of elite defense, they did make it to Las Vegas after finally ending a prolonged losing streak to the Warriors in the quarterfinal.With the schedule on a brief Cup-related pause, Wednesday’s show explores what we’ve learned about the 2024-25 Rockets with the regular season about a third complete. Discussion topics include why the Rockets’ reality is better than

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55:57

NBA Cup knockout predictions and California road trip...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/12/10

Tuesday’s episode features a preview of Wednesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal versus Golden State and reaction to Houston’s 1-2 road trip against the Kings, Warriors, and Clippers.Topics include matchup difficulties with the Warriors; potential reasons for the up-and-down play of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; predictions for the NBA Cup knockout rounds; and why fans of the Rockets should still be quite pleased with a 16-8 start to the 2024-25 season and the team’s current placement at No. 3 in the

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76:27

As Rockets stack wins, is Houston becoming a surprise...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/12/03

After 10 wins in 12 games, the Rockets (15-6, 3-0) entered Tuesday just a half-game back of Oklahoma City for first place in the Western Conference. In an unbeaten Thanksgiving week, Houston secured a statement win at Minnesota — clinching its NBA Cup group — before posting an even more impressive victory at home versus the Thunder.With that in mind, our latest show explores all the associated angles and ripple effects. Discussion topics include the implications of improved play by Fred VanVleet and

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66:18

Despite Jalen Green’s struggles, Rockets (12-6) rise...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/11/25

Despite a rough November from Jalen Green, the defensively stout Rockets (12-6) have climbed to No. 3 in the West standings and first place in their NBA Cup group.Monday’s episode explores how they’ve done it, led by promising signs from Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson; the current levels of concern with Green; and what to watch for as Houston’s schedule gets more difficult, starting with a crucial NBA Cup game at Minnesota on Tuesday

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104:41

As Alperen Sengun leads 7-4 start, should Houston...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/11/13

Led by Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson, the improving Rockets (7-4) have won six of their last eight games while moving up to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings. With that in mind, Wednesday’s show breaks down the key on-court takeaways from recent games.Yet, with the Milwaukee Bucks (3-8) off to a bad start in the East, even bigger possibilities might be on the horizon. With Bill Simmons and others listing Houston as a potential trade suitor for two-time NBA Most

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61:13

Two-week review: What we’ve learned in Rockets’ 4-3...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/11/06

Two weeks into the new 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets are 4-3 and tied for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. In Wednesday's episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down some of the key early storylines. Topics include the increasing importance of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason; inconsistency from Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet; and areas of both concern and opportunity entering the next few games.

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9:09

Minicast: On Tari Eason’s surge and Alperen Sengun’s...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/11/04

After a statement win at Dallas and a nearly historic comeback versus Golden State (which fell short in overtime), the Rockets (3-3) remain stuck on the launch pad as they hover near .500 early in the 2024-25 NBA season.Prior to Monday’s home game versus New York, this interview segment explores the highs and lows leading to that inconsistency. Voices include The Lager Line’s Ben DuBose and SportsTalk 790’s Chris Gordy and Stan Norfleet.Topics include promising signs by Tari Eason; potential

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12:36

Minicast: Jalen Green surges as Rockets open season 2-2

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/29

Tuesday’s show is a brief interview between our Ben DuBose and SportsTalk 790’s Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy. Topics include the reasons for Houston’s 2-2 start to the 2024-25 NBA season, including a scoring binge by Jalen Green; inconsistent play by Alperen Sengun; the healthy return of Steven Adams; and whether occasional rebounding issues for the Rockets are an area of concern.

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62:58

Reaction to new Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun contracts...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/22

Tuesday's episode features immediate reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston's newly announced contract extensions with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Discussion topics include the motivations for each deal; why both make sense for the Rockets; and what the agreements indicate about the remainder of Houston's roster and its potential blueprint moving forward.

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51:35

2024-25 Rockets season preview with Craig Ackerman

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/21

Monday’s episode offers a complete 2024-25 season preview featuring Craig Ackerman, the Rockets’ TV play-by-play voice for Space City Home Network. In a conversation with our Ben DuBose, discussion topics include whether postseason expectations are realistic; if Jalen Green and/or Alperen Sengun are ready to take an All-Star leap; behind-the-scenes intel on Ime Udoka, training camp, and Houston’s recently completed preseason; and much more.

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56:55

Preseason notes: Steven Adams, Dillon Brooks, Jabari...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/17

Thursday’s episode features more insight related to the ongoing 2024-25 preseason for the Rockets (2-1). Topics include encouraging signs from Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks; questions with Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore; and notes surrounding the remainder of Houston’s roster.

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56:16

First impressions as Rockets open 2024-25 preseason

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/09

With preseason play officially underway for the NBA’s 2024-25 season, Wednesday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to early performances from the Rockets.Topics include encouraging signs by Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson; the seemingly healthy return of Steven Adams; and what to watch for as other Houston players such as Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, and Jock Landale make their exhibition debuts in the days ahead.

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10:51

Minicast: Reaction to potential Sengun extension,...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/10/02

After Monday’s Rockets Media Day, Ben DuBose joined SportsTalk 790’s Next Up to discuss possible contract extensions for Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green.Şengün had a breakout year last season, finishing third in Most Improved Player voting while averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. While it was previously thought that Houston was not likely to extend Şengün and Green prior to the 2024-25 season, there is now reportedly a "realistic chance" for the Rockets to reach a Şengün

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71:13

Matt Thomas on Tilman Fertitta, Ime Udoka, 2024-25...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/09/26

Matt Thomas, radio play-by-play voice of the Rockets and former public address (PA) announcer at Toyota Center, joins Thursday’s episode with insight on the 2024-25 season and beyond. Thomas hosts “The Matt Thomas Show” each weekday on SportsTalk 790, the team’s flagship radio station.Discussion topics include the importance of Houston’s new training center and practice facility; storylines to watch in training camp, which starts Oct. 1; early impressions of Tilman Fertitta as owner and Ime Udoka as

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62:43

Vanessa Richardson on 2024-25 Rockets, SCHN...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/09/11

In the start of a new series profiling Houston’s game broadcasters, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network (SCHN) joins Ben and Paulo to discuss the 2024-25 Rockets and beyond.Topics include her insights on organizational leaders such as owner Tilman Fertitta, head coach Ime Udoka, and GM Rafael Stone; expectations for the upcoming season; favorite player and staff interviews; behind-the-scenes intel on her job and SCHN; and more.

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97:24

Drafting all-time Rockets players, coaches

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/08/29

With the arrival of the slow period of the NBA’s 2024 offseason, Thursday’s fan episode features a five-man panel draft featuring esteemed players and coaches throughout Rockets history. The show also explores underappreciated themes to watch for once 2024-25 training camp opens in late September.

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79:11

Reaction to Rockets’ 2024-25 schedule release

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/08/16

Friday's episode features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston’s newly released schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season. Topics include the opportunity for a fast start (and the importance of one) thanks to a relatively soft opening month; the challenges of a difficult second half of the season, both collectively and to select individual players; and whether the Rockets have potential to make a run in the second edition of the NBA Cup.The show concludes with reflections on the

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94:22

Rotation options, Sengun extension debate, Markkanen...

Rockets LaunchPod ·

2024/07/30

Tuesday’s episode features a roundtable discussion of several recent news items connected to the Rockets. Topics include an uncertain short-term outlook for Reed Sheppard and Cam Whitmore as rotation players; factors to consider in Alperen Sengun contract extension deliberations; why reports of Houston as a potential Lauri Markkanen trade suitor are likely overblown; and more.

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