The Rockets won't go 82-0 :( but maybe... 81-1? Missing Sengun, Jabari Smith's ceiling, Marcus Smart Redemption tour.

From Rockets Science Podcast · 01:29:24

Show by Dylan Birdsell

The Rockets are no longer undefeated, but the vibes in Houston are still high!Dylan and Taylor recap Houston's first loss against the Dallas Mavericks and the bounce-back win over Oklahoma City. They examine Alperen Sengun's importance to the offense, Jabari Smith Jr.'s early scoring leap, and Marcus Smart's impact off the bench.Then, we introduce our NBA Starter Tier Lists! Where do Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun rank among the league's starters at their respective positions?0:00 – Welcome Back to Rockets ScienceThe 82–0 dream is officially over.Houston's first loss and the expectations moving forward.1:12 – Rockets vs. Mavericks: What Went Wrong?Houston's shooting struggles and costly turnovers.Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg's performances.Missing Sengun and the limitations of Houston's center rotation.6:45 – Amen Thompson & Houston's Defensive MatchupsCan Amen handle the NBA's bigger scoring wings?Defensive versatility and potential playoff matchups.11:36 – Crunch-Time ConcernsHouston's half-court offense in close games.The importance of young players taking responsibility.Why Sengun's offensive connectivity matters.17:22 – Rockets vs. Thunder: Jabari's BreakoutJabari Smith Jr.'s second 30-point performance of the season.His development as a catch-and-shoot and one-to-two-dribble scorer.Comparisons to championship contributors like Andrew Wiggins and Pascal Siakam.29:59 – Marcus Smart's ImpactTaylor responds to the Marcus Smart criticism.Smart's leadership, playmaking, and defensive communication.How Smart and Reed Sheppard offer different strengths.35:51 – What's Happening to Oklahoma City?The Thunder's mounting injuries and shrinking depth.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's increased responsibilities.Whether OKC's championship window could be in trouble.48:53 – Introducing Our NBA Starter Tier ListsExplaining our five tiers, from “He's One of Them Ones” to “I'll Pay You to Take Them Away.”Ranking starters by their positions and evaluating Houston's starting five.52:28 – Point Guard Rankings: Where Does Fred Belong?Fred VanVleet in the Jeff Teague Zone.Debates involving Jamal Murray, LaMelo Ball, and other starting guards.59:06 – Shooting Guard Rankings: Amen vs. Stephon CastleAmen Thompson's place among the league's best shooting guards.Does Stephon Castle have the offensive edge?1:06:35 – Small Forward Rankings: KD vs. Cooper FlaggIs Kevin Durant still the best small forward in basketball?Taylor makes his case for Cooper Flagg.1:12:42 – Power Forward Rankings: Jabari's Place in the LeagueWhy Jabari belongs in the Jeff Teague Zone.Debating Scottie Barnes and other top forwards.1:21:37 – Center Rankings: Is Sengun Top Three?Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama lead the position.Sengun vs. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Duren.What separates the elite centers?1:29:19 – Final Takeaways & Looking AheadDoes Houston have a championship-caliber starting five?Upcoming matchups against Boston, Minnesota, and Phoenix.Where to find our tier lists on social media.Check out our NBA Starter Tier Lists and join the debates!Instagram & X: @RSciencePodFollow Rockets Science on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, share the episode, and let us know where you would rank the Rockets' starters.Episode ChaptersFollow Rockets Science

More episodes of Rockets Science Podcast

More episodes

podsearch is a free, independent podcast search engine. Read about podsearch, the privacy policy or contact us.