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Houston locked up the futures of two rising stars in Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green before the rookie-scale extension deadline elapsed, heading into the new campaign with cautious optimism they can improve upon last season’s encouraging strides taken under Ime Udoka should everyone be fortunate with injuries. Elsewhere, Jalen Suggs and Trey Murphy also inked deals elsewhere. Continue reading “Getting paid: Sengun and Suggs among lucrative rookie-scale contract extensions”
In an ever-changing era where unicorns are being heralded, the role of your traditional big man has continued to evolve. Houston center Alperen Sengun has thrived this season, Year 3 of the Turkish international’s NBA experience and his maturity translates on the court – particularly in games like yesterday’s dominant display against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Continue reading “Mature beyond his years, Houston’s Alperen Sengun is already must-watch TV”
Houston ended the 2022-23 season as the 29th ranked defence and naturally, new head coach Ime Udoka has focused on improving that side of the Rockets’ repertoire during training camp. Offseason acquisition Dillon Brooks will go some way to fixing that, but second-year forward Tari Eason has some goals of his own which show the direction they’re collectively heading towards. Continue reading “Tari Eason’s ambitious defensive targets a good sign of where Houston want to be”
Often in recent years, there has been a sense of intrigue surrounding the no. 1 draft pick and who will be selected, with conceivably as many as four teenagers touted to go #1. Not this year: French teenage phenom Victor Wembanyama appears San Antonio-bound after the Spurs won the draft lottery overnight.
Continue reading “Spurs win draft lottery, as Wembanyama lauds Texas in celebratory interview”
Houston have longed for a leader with championship credentials and after the news broke they were hiring Ime Udoka earlier tonight, it’s a timely update for fans to get excited about – someone to build around for multiple years to come. Continue reading “Houston’s Ime Udoka hire only boosts their standing as a budding contender again”
As is often the case come playoff time, there are many storylines and prospective scenarios that can play out a variety of ways over the postseason – with subsequent front office decisions often riding on the success or failure of a franchise or specific players in certain areas. This year is no different. Continue reading “As playoffs near, multiple dominos waiting to fall in NBA’s head coaching carousel”
It’s NBA trade season, so speculation is predictably in full flow as teams – whether championship contenders, pretenders or rebuilding teams – are all involved between now and the Feb. 9 deadline. Will any team satisfy Toronto’s big expectations in an OG Anunoby trade? What about Bojan Bogdanovic in Detroit, or the silence coming from the Suns about wantaway wing Jae Crowder? Read about all of that and more, with some free agent chatter to finish. Continue reading “NBA news round-up: Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Crowder and more as trade season hots up”
Details of James Harden’s two-year contract extension with the Philadelphia 76ers emerged overnight, confirming what was first reported: the 10-time All-Star guard agreed a reduced deal to help the franchise sign more quality players in their attempt to go all-out for a NBA championship charge this coming season. Will his bullish comments prove prophetic or not? Continue reading “After agreeing reduced $68.6m deal, will 76ers and Harden hum along into true title contention?”
After countless reports suggested Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr would be this summer’s top draft pick, the Orlando Magic presented the first in a night of surprises and trade moves aplenty by selecting Duke’s Paolo Banchero with the No. 1 pick – adding another talented youngster to an ever-growing core of players hopeful they’ll be nowhere near the lottery in the near future. Continue reading “NBA Draft: Orlando take Paolo Banchero with No. 1 pick, Holmgren to OKC and Smith Houston-bound”
Per detailed reports with informed sources via Bleacher Report today, the Houston Rockets hierarchy are thinking about possibly sacking their head coach Stephen Silas amid a miserable run of results for the ball club – 15 straight defeats – in what has rapidly become a tough rebuilding job, a stark contrast to the squad at his disposal once initially appointed last year. Continue reading “Victim of circumstance: Stephen Silas’ future under increasing pressure in Houston”
You couldn’t wipe the grin from Ben Wallace’s face, as if he knew something we all didn’t, but the future Hall of Famer proved Detroit’s lucky charm overnight as they won this year’s draft lottery and will likely select star guard Cade Cunningham out of Oklahoma State next month. Continue reading “Detroit Pistons win top pick in draft lottery, Cade Cunningham expected”
The Milwaukee Bucks have acquired Houston Rockets power forward PJ Tucker in a four-player deal designed to bolster their Eastern Conference playoff push – sending DJ Augustin and DJ Wilson with a pick going either way, alongside forward Rodions Kurucs. Does the 35-year-old still have more juice left in the tank for another gruelling championship challenge though?
Continue reading “Jury is out: Milwaukee Bucks acquire PJ Tucker in four-player trade deal”
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