If you're a Houston Rockets fan, there's much to look forward to.
Though the team missed the play-in tournament last season, finishing as the 11th seed, they were among the most exciting young teams to watch.
In Ime Udoka's first season as the Rockets head coach, he finished with a down-the-middle split record of 41-41. The Rockets were a great home team, having a record of 27-14 at the Toyota Center, but they struggled on the road, with a reverse record of 14-27.
Although there were some inconsistencies, the Rockets have an exciting young nucleus led by Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green. Along with some experienced veteran play from Fred Van Fleet and Dillon Brooks, the team is looking to push for the postseason, and they have a legitimate shot.
With teams like the Clippers and Warriors having some question marks regarding how far they can go after their roster changes in the offseason, there's a lot of hope for this Rocket team. If they can continue being a great home team and find a way to win on the road, there's no doubt they will make some noise.
With the season starting soon, I will review season averages and pick a player I like for specific statistical categories, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Jalen Green
Average 22+ Points Per Game (+125)
For the Rockets to be one of the surprise teams in the West, they need Jalen Green to reach All-Star caliber play.
The 22-year-old has shown flashes of talent since Houston drafted him with the second pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He has elite athleticism and is acrobatic when driving the basketball. He can create his shot and has shown he can knock down 3s.
The flaw with Green in his first three seasons is his efficiency. So far in his career, he's only converting on 33 percent of his 3s and shooting 42 percent overall. Last season, he made 6.9 out of his 16.2 field goal attempts per game. If Green wants to make that next leap not only for himself but for the success of the Rockets, he will have to increase his percentages.
Lucky for Green, he's coached by one of the best in the league, and experience helps players improve each year. Picking his spots wisely and taking the right shots must be a priority. It can be the year Green puts it all together efficiently and helps the Rockets in the standings.
Alperen Sengun
Average 10+ Rebounds Per Game (+150)
The young Rockets star had a career season last year. Sengun averaged 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5 assists, making him one of the most dynamic bigs in the league.
Sengun has averaged 9 rebounds for the past two seasons. At 6'11", the Turkish player is great with the basketball in his hands and has the Arabian easily double-double better in his three seasons, and it wouldn't be surprising if he gets selected as a first-time All-Star this season.
The Rockets did pick up Steven Adams in the offseason, as will be a great help when grabbing rebounds. However, Adams has struggled with injuries, and he'll likely be the backup center for Sengun. If Sengun can fully commit on the boards, you can book him for a 10+ rebounding season.
