Duo of Setbacks Returns Spacecraft Rockets to Terrestrial Realm
Duo of Setbacks Returns Spacecraft Rockets to Terrestrial Realm
Last weekend, the Rockets celebrated a significant victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, securing a 119-116 triumph. Fred VanVleet delivered an impressive performance, scoring a season-high 38 points. This triumph brought the Rockets closer to the West's top spot, improving their record to 15-6. However, their momentum seemed to fade afterwards. They suffered defeats against the struggling Sacramento Kings and a Golden State Warriors team missing key players, Steph Curry and Draymond Green. They managed to bounce back against the Los Angeles Clippers, who were missing James Harden.
Their upcoming matches include a rematch with the Warriors on Wednesday and a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, with Zion Williamson still sidelined with no return date set.
Currently, the Rockets are placed third in the West, below the Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies. The West is highly competitive, with just a single loss separating the Rockets from the fifth-seeded Warriors. The Dallas Mavericks, last year's conference champions, are showing promise, standing at 16-8, like the Rockets, having won seven consecutive games and nine of their last ten. The Grizzlies are also performing well, having won nine out of ten matches.
With 30% of the season completed, the Rockets are projected to secure 55 wins, an impressive feat given expectations. They boast the league's second-best defense, trailing only the Thunder. Their offense, however, is a concern, ranked 16th in the league.
During their game against the Clippers, sophomore forward Amen Thompson filled in for veteran point guard Fred VanVleet, offering a glimpse into the Rockets' potential future. Thompson's contributions were notable, scoring 22 points on 9-for-14 shooting, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 4 assists. His defensive prowess was also on display. Since his draft, Thompson has shown his best form as a wing. Initially, he was considered the future at the point guard position, set to inherit the mantle from VanVleet once he was ready.
VanVleet has been a crucial player for the Rockets, contributing significantly. Over 785 minutes this season, the Rockets have outscored opponents by 2.9 points per 100 possession when VanVleet is on the court, fourth best among Houston's regulars. He also has the third highest usage rate on the team at 21.9%.
Rockets GM Rafael Stone faces a critical decision this summer regarding a team option on VanVleet's contract. If the option is exercised, VanVleet will be owed $44.89 million next season. Alternatively, the Rockets could negotiate a more team-friendly contract extension for VanVleet.
At present, the Rockets have limited data to determine their post-VanVleet capabilities, should financial considerations necessitate a change. Their win against the Clippers last Sunday may offer some hope in this regard.
The Rockets' upcoming business negotiations with Fred VanVleet could significantly impact their sports budget, given his impact on the team and the potential cost of a contract extension. Moreover, Amen Thompson's impressive performance against the Clippers has shown promise for the Rockets' sportsmoney, demonstrating potential future savings if a younger player can Step Up in VanVleet's role.