The Lager Line

Led by Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, and Amen Thompson, the improving Rockets (7-4) have won six of their last eight games while moving up to the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference standings. With that in mind, Wednesday’s show breaks down the key on-court takeaways from recent games.

Yet, with the Milwaukee Bucks (3-8) off to a bad start in the East, even bigger possibilities might be on the horizon. With Bill Simmons and others listing Houston as a potential trade suitor for two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ben and Paulo explore what a future mega-deal might look like and scenarios where it would and wouldn’t make sense for the Rockets.

Two weeks into the new 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets are 4-3 and tied for the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference. In Wednesday's episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down some of the key early storylines. Topics include the increasing importance of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason; inconsistency from Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet; and areas of both concern and opportunity entering the next few games.

After a statement win at Dallas and a nearly historic comeback versus Golden State (which fell short in overtime), the Rockets (3-3) remain stuck on the launch pad as they hover near .500 early in the 2024-25 NBA season.

Prior to Monday’s home game versus New York, this interview segment explores the highs and lows leading to that inconsistency. Voices include The Lager Line’s Ben DuBose and SportsTalk 790’s Chris Gordy and Stan Norfleet.

Topics include promising signs by Tari Eason; potential counters as teams increasingly commit defensive resources to Jalen Green; and reasons for slow starts by Alperen Sengun and Fred VanVleet.

Tuesday’s show is a brief interview between our Ben DuBose and SportsTalk 790’s Stan Norfleet and Chris Gordy. Topics include the reasons for Houston’s 2-2 start to the 2024-25 NBA season, including a scoring binge by Jalen Green; inconsistent play by Alperen Sengun; the healthy return of Steven Adams; and whether occasional rebounding issues for the Rockets are an area of concern.

Tuesday's episode features immediate reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to Houston's newly announced contract extensions with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun. Discussion topics include the motivations for each deal; why both make sense for the Rockets; and what the agreements indicate about the remainder of Houston's roster and its potential blueprint moving forward.

Monday’s episode offers a complete 2024-25 season preview featuring Craig Ackerman, the Rockets’ TV play-by-play voice for Space City Home Network. In a conversation with our Ben DuBose, discussion topics include whether postseason expectations are realistic; if Jalen Green and/or Alperen Sengun are ready to take an All-Star leap; behind-the-scenes intel on Ime Udoka, training camp, and Houston’s recently completed preseason; and much more.

Thursday’s episode features more insight related to the ongoing 2024-25 preseason for the Rockets (2-1). Topics include encouraging signs from Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks; questions with Jabari Smith Jr. and Cam Whitmore; and notes surrounding the remainder of Houston’s roster.

With preseason play officially underway for the NBA’s 2024-25 season, Wednesday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to early performances from the Rockets.

Topics include encouraging signs by Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson; the seemingly healthy return of Steven Adams; and what to watch for as other Houston players such as Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, and Jock Landale make their exhibition debuts in the days ahead.

After Monday’s Rockets Media Day, Ben DuBose joined SportsTalk 790’s Next Up to discuss possible contract extensions for Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green.

Şengün had a breakout year last season, finishing third in Most Improved Player voting while averaging 21.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. While it was previously thought that Houston was not likely to extend Şengün and Green prior to the 2024-25 season, there is now reportedly a "realistic chance" for the Rockets to reach a Şengün deal ahead of the Oct. 21 deadline. 

Tuesday's interview also explores how newer players on the roster, such as Steven Adams and rookie Reed Sheppard, could make an impact as the Rockets work to return to the Western Conference playoffs for the first time in five years.

Matt Thomas, radio play-by-play voice of the Rockets and former public address (PA) announcer at Toyota Center, joins Thursday’s episode with insight on the 2024-25 season and beyond. Thomas hosts “The Matt Thomas Show” each weekday on SportsTalk 790, the team’s flagship radio station.

Discussion topics include the importance of Houston’s new training center and practice facility; storylines to watch in training camp, which starts Oct. 1; early impressions of Tilman Fertitta as owner and Ime Udoka as head coach; and key considerations and variables for the live announcing of NBA games.

The episode, which continues a “meet the Rockets’ broadcasters” series (Space City Home Network’s Vanessa Richardson joined earlier this month), also explores what expectations should be for the upcoming 2024-25 campaign. Topics there involve the continued development of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun and whether postseason basketball in April 2025 is realistic in Houston.