Monday’s episode of The Lager Line, sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, explores the key takeaways from recent interviews involving general manager Rafael Stone, head coach Ime Udoka, and other members of the Houston Rockets.

During the show, hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves explain why Stone’s remarks regarding Udoka’s role in personnel decisions should be taken as a promising sign, along with the importance of Houston’s draft and free agency decisions being made independently of one another. The show also offers early analysis of Udoka’s rumored hires for assistant coaches.

Finally, this weekend’s podcast dives into the ongoing NBA Finals between Denver and Miami and various themes potentially relevant to the Rockets. Topics there include the role of Erik Spoelstra’s Heat culture and whether the evolution of superstar big man Nikola Jokic with the Nuggets can provide a template for Alperen Sengun and the Rockets to follow.