Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets

In our latest episode, we examine recent rumors linking China's Zhou Qi with an imminent move to Houston and chat with Rockets beat writer MK Bower (15:08) on the team's broader offseason needs. Among a number of topics, MK and Ben weigh in on whether it's even possible to build an NBA contender in the near future — given how dominant Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry's Warriors currently appear.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAFinals #NBAFreeAgency

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Today's episode previews the NBA Finals from a Rockets perspective, with our case for why a Warriors loss and Cleveland win would each benefit Houston. In closing out the show, Ben explores a handful of recent rumors on free agents and a common fallacy in the NBA media's evaluations of their likely decisions.

#Rockets #NBA #Cavs #Warriors #NBAFinals #NBAFreeAgency

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In the wake of a new David Stern interview rehashing the voided December 2011 trade that would've sent Pau Gasol to the Rockets and Chris Paul to the Lakers, we take a look back and reflect on why Houston is better off now, what Daryl Morey's plan was at the time, and the importance of adjusting team-building strategy to the overall strength of the league in a particular year.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAFreeAgency

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In today's episode, we explore the many reasons that backup center (and pending free agent) Nene appears likely to return, as well as why that could make the Rockets unlikely to seriously pursue mid-tier options in this summer's free agency.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAFreeAgency

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Longtime target Chris Bosh appears set to become a free agent, but is it realistic for him to be medically cleared to play? Ben explains why he doubts Bosh ever plays again, but adds that if he somehow does, he thinks the Rockets are a clear frontrunner.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAFreeAgency

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The Rockets enter free agency with ~$11 million in cap room, but could they create even more to go after top-tier options? We examine internal trade candidates to create space, including why players with expiring contracts in 2018 (Trevor Ariza, Lou Williams) could be higher on the list than most realize. To close out the show, Ben explores a handful of recent rumors and wonders if Spanish guard Sergio Llull (rights owned by Houston) might be a more realistic target than most expect.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAFreeAgency

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With the Warriors and Cavaliers now 19-0 in the playoffs, we explore how that could be beneficial to Daryl Morey's sales pitch moving forward. In the second half of the show (14:38), NBA TV's Brian Geltzeiler (@hoopscritic) joins us to explain his criticisms of the Rockets from a tactical standpoint and potential personnel upgrades this offseason, headlined by Serge Ibaka, Paul Millsap, and Danilo Gallinari.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs

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With the benefit of waiting a few days to gain perspective, what did we learn about James Harden this postseason, and what does it mean entering 2017-18? We dissect the flaws behind popular Harden narratives and also examine a few non-Harden storylines to watch as Mike D'Antoni and Daryl Morey enter a crucial offseason in Houston.

#Rockets #NBA #NBAPlayoffs

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In today's show, Ben explores the most interesting tidbits from Friday's exit interviews, including the Rockets' potential search for a No. 2 facilitator after James Harden and Nene's desire to re-sign in Houston. On the second half of the show (18:50), Ben makes the case for why Mike D'Antoni's critics are dead wrong for assigning blame to him over the team's collapse vs. San Antonio.

#Rockets #NBA #Spurs #NBAPlayoffs

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The Rockets never recovered from their Game 5 meltdown, losing in a Game 6 rout to the Spurs to end the series (and the season). We break down the downward spiral, including an awful night for James Harden, questions over leadership, and whether the sour conclusion to the season takes away from Houston's appeal as an offseason destination.

#Rockets #NBA #Spurs #NBAPlayoffs

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