Houston Rockets HIGHEST Priorities for 2025, Fred VanVleet vs. Jalen Green in the Clutch, and More!

[@08Derrock]

Keep it up Roosh! Thanks for keeping it real/logical and ignoring the Jalen stan attacks.

[@StateOfTheRockets]

Much love and thanks. Facts are the facts, even when the facts are unfortunate. --Roosh

[@Nick-ok4eq]

I mean, get the Stans outta here, but he hasn't even been playing bad recently.

[@StateOfTheRockets]

@@Nick-ok4eq Go crunch his December numbers against teams above .500. He had one good game against LAC (without Harden), and the rest of it is very nasty work. --Roosh

[@Nick-ok4eq]

@@StateOfTheRockets I know we want to look at his performances against great teams, but I'm looking at every game through the season, 1 after the other. He hasn't played badly overall in this stretch after the NBA cup. He's had a few where he doesn't score, but his defense has been good, and his turnovers are WAY down recently. Trust me, when he's trash, I say it loud and proud. But he really hasn't been. And I'm not really sure how James playing in that game would have affected Jalen's play at all. Doesn't make a lot of sense. But thanks for always being on the show talking Rockets 🚀 I like hearing your thoughts, man.

[@jonathanjean4280]

@@Nick-ok4eqHarden is the Clippers best player. You don’t see how his presence would have caused for a tougher game, more pressure, and less room for error?

[@jalenjohnson0339]

It’s time to upgrade the guard positions and I’m talking about at PG and SG. There just no way you can not bring back FVV next year with the way he playing and how he ruins the offense with his shooting. As for Jalen he has the talent but he too inconsistent for us.I don’t think he going to be consistent for us maybe he will one day but that’s most likely going to be another team. Sengun and Amen and probably Jabari those three has established themselves as part of the foundation/core for the rockets. I love Sengun he can be a closer and I think he can win a game or two for us in a playoff series. But at the end of the day we need a go to scorer or star at the PG or SG position to take the load off of Sengun scoring wise and to let Amen do what he does until he can get a jumper. I say go after De’Aaron Fox now but I won’t be shocked if they wait until this summer to upgrade the guard position because the rockets would want to wait to see if the Suns have another disappointing run and get bounced in the first round and see if Booker asks out. But I don’t know if you can wait that long because KD hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down Still need a backup center and more shooting but I don’t want to beat a dead horse. Get Cam Johnson or Corey Kispert on this team and they will help with the shooting Great video fellas

[@xxDevin95xx]

Just started the episode off , plz don’t ever change that jazz intro

[@benpelletier8554]

Agree, excellent

[@louiefromthenorth9889]

Thanks for the episode guys ! Always looking forward to em

[@Jaywrites23]

This is a good point by Frank. I would rather see a bit more of getting Jalen downhill in the clutch. The difficult part is I think Jalen really hasn’t learned to take contact and slow down once he gets past the initial defender. I agree that, the Jalen - Alperen connection needs to improve with reps! I don’t totally disagree Roosh, that Jalen can lack vision. Fred is a low ceiling PG, while he doesn’t turn it over, he doesn’t put pressure opposing defenses by taking calculated risks. Several passes he doesn’t make (maybe can’t see or get past his defender). Jalen getting physically stronger probably won’t happen til the offseason, but he’s our best bet for generating offense with AlP/a big against a half court defense. I think it would slot him in that Austin Reaves role.

[@JamSessionInMyMind]

I think if Jalen could just tighten up his handle and decision making he would be damn near unstoppable.

[@Lee-sn2dp]

While Roosh has some good points his level of hatred for Jalen overshadows the glaring weaknesses in the offense. Along with Jalen, Al P, and Bari's inconsistencies, Fred has been abysmal this year. Our offensive sets and schemes are probably the worst in the league. Great Defense but Horrid Offense.

[@Lezahfire]

​@@Lee-sn2dpJalen sorrunded by haters in Houston. Jalen shall leave rockets the sooner the better.

[@williamdavis9562]

@@JamSessionInMyMindhard to fix stupid

[@DavidGonzalez-ml4nv]

Happy New Year ya’ll! Thankful for a competitive squad and chill content creators like you two. Roosh with the throwback beanie is everything.

[@RobCortez0416]

I love that Tari gets Kawhi comparisons, but hope it doesn't extend to injury history.

[@biasedhtown]

Another great show again boys. You two perfectly incapsulate the two minds of Rockets fans (or at least my mind). The compliment fits like a glove and makes for such interesting conversation regarding the future of this squad. To me, our highest priority is getting the best out of our current roster, particularly the young guys. As Frank alluded to, Jalen needs to start taking the mantle and being our closer with Sengun. I was highly anticipating this season showcasing their two-man game but it seems like neither Jalen/Sengun nor Ime have practiced that. Not sure what’s up but the future of this team as currently built is reliant on their ability to play together. I get Jalen has been inconsistent, but I’d rather him be inconsistent than Fred because we already know what Fred is. It may very well be we already know who JG is but he is still very young. I agree with Roosh tho, I think we’re gonna stand pat until the playoffs and the FO will evaluate after the results. Great work guys, please keep these up, probably the best Rox podcast for more in-depth talk and conversation.

[@Rtmmmme]

I love this duo

[@ad66614]

Dude I watch you every day, keep up the good work

[@anthonyturley5256]

Frank & Roosh, the BEST Analytics "Backcourt" on KZbin !!! .. Y'all be Going IN with the analytics 🔥🔥 Much Respect cuz Your Show is not just Informative, it's also entertaining to watch too !! Keep it Going for us, Rockets Fans !!! .. On that Note tho, I think any roster changes will wait 'til the Offseason. I think there's a Good Chance the 2025 Phoenix Pick Swap becomes a Lottery Pick, and I'm not a Big Fan of De'Aaron Fox or Zach Lavine. I got my 👀's on Dylan Harper in the 2025 Draft, and hopefully some other Veteran PG options will become available in the Offseason. I'm Not Sure if the Rockets exercise FVV's Team Option.

[@HouStoneSZN]

Thanks guys

[@necrodol]

no worries on dallas, alpi's gonna f.'im up. happy new years!

[@pattrickmerete]

At this point, Roosh would die of old age as a Jalen hater even if Jalen put up MJ numbers. lol Love your take though Frank.

[@johnbell3927]

I appreciate the sense of urgency but this is Jalen’s second year with a real coach.

[@sanjay_6556]

Wasn’t former nba coach Brian Shaw Jalen’s g league coach?

[@laluna6245]

so as every player in the team except reed. why is jalen so sensitive to everything?

[@jonasculpepper8247]

i think the offensive woes are dependent on Ime and the coaching staff creating a better offensive approach based off the players offensive strengths...like he has on the defense. Ime gotta do better

[@laluna6245]

i like to see you here more with frank, great comment guys

[@hazorg16]

Fred's 'bad play' in his latest times in Toronto stemmed from this exact trust issues Roosh was talking about. He looks like he's shot chucking but he just doesn't see any other worthy option to that and I lowkey agree with him. If he was the third best player in the roster, he'd shine.

[@RobCortez0416]

I'm on the same page in that i believe this is the start of a slump when compared to the rest of the year. January will probably be our worst month. I disagree on the sky falling. I think by all star break we're top 4 in the West. The argument about us only being 2 games from 6th seed is the same "which team is going to take a step back" argument before the season. At some point, it's not about the other teams. And i don't believe we've seen the best ball this team will play this year yet. Ironically, the collapse against Minnesota makes me more confident in how good we are. Thanks for the episode and Happy New Year to y'all and your fams.

[@korayenko]

Happy new year

[@ROCKETSCHOPSHOP]

Happy new year

[@erdemm17]

I adjusted the assist to to ratio by ball handling duration not so long ago. Fred is 4.7 times more efficient per time he has the ball in his hands when it comes to assist to to ratio over Jalen. That’s not a small gap.

[@StateOfTheRockets]

Can you explain this statistic plz? Thank you.

[@bastadimasta]

Trade Jalen the Failin ASAP and don't extend FVV for the next season.

[@ffbeexaid4509]

yup getting tired of seeing him shooting 20 times for only 20 points.

[@Chan6th]

I’m glad Malik monk was mentioned. He is extremely underrated as a scorer/facilitator. I’ll take him over Jalen.

[@hupao17]

I like your analysis guys. 2-3 on this 5 game homestand should be okay. I fully agree we're ahead of schedule. Personally, i predicted 48-34 and i think that is still achievable. We have our defensive calling card to get there. But offensively, we need a scorer/star PG or SG and that's Fox or Booker (not Lavine plssss 😅) For now, just hope Tari gets back soon. Everyone has their flaws but I still believe they play for each other. I just want them to go to the playoffs and experience it. Anything over that is a blessing! No expects a chip! 😂 Then figure it out in the off season. Go Rockets! 🚀

[@goodbook2268]

Just saw green make two mid range jumpers vs mavs, gotta retract some statements

[@Out-of-state-rocketsfan]

What do you think about adding a dlo if he is bought out. He obviously not gonna be our savior, but he is a good 3 point shooter and good on or off ball guard .

[@StateOfTheRockets]

I personally think DLo is the antithesis of Ime Udoka's vision for this team and the mentality/approach that has made this team turn things around so quickly. --Roosh

[@alecfranklin3827]

Frank, do you think this team finishes this season as a play-in team? And if so what happens if we don’t get this squad into the playoffs?

[@taserienetflix2538]

Overreaction from them, other teams with vets losing their best players left and right, the way we play defense not all the teams can beat us like that especially when it is us not doing the little things like rebounding and box out like in the last game

[@REAL0223]

Jalen historically gets better and more efficient with more usage and touches. Making him earn more but giving him the ball less is a recipe for disaster. Fred is a training wheel that has turned into a crutch. Lower his usage. Give the ball more to Jalen and Amen. At first it might be ugly, but at the end of the year the team would be much better because of it

[@krisg3818]

This team is young and talented and we winning now. So what needs to happen is some of the people who don't fit need to be shipped out. We definitely need a back up center Adam's is to slow out there. This all boils down to do u believe in jalen green and can u win a title with him. The answer is no no one in these comments or a nba gm would believe they could win a title with jalen being a focal point on offense. Same with Fred but he gone soon though with his contract ending after next year. Jalen is who jalen is he is a volume shooter who is a poor efficiency player and really does not effect the game if he doesn't have the ball. He is just getting worse and worse. There is way more bad to his game than good

[@AlittleTooClose]

side note about the clutch statistic: 5 points in the last 5 minutes seems kind of arbitrary. Wouldn't six points make more sense, with it being too possessions?

[@Elbiggggie]

JG is Gio wise of the NBA 😭

[@REAL0223]

Someone should go look at Ant Edwards and Devin Bookers stats this year in reference to Jalen Green and their team’s records. It’s fun to always act like the sky is falling but it isn’t that deep. Stay patient.

[@StoneValleyKing]

Dude lost to JJ Barea in the finals, and you think Erik Spoelstra is one of the greatest coaches of all-time? Wow.

[@richardtompkins7255]

Why do you guys keep trying to force Jalen to be a point guard? He’s not he’s a shooting guard let him shoot. Fred is a point guard who shoots like he’s a shooting guard

[@Nick-ok4eq]

Jalen plays better "starting" the offense, always has. James Harden is a shooting gaurd. That will never change, but Harden does pretty much everything a point gaurd does.

[@richardtompkins7255]

@ that means Harden’s a point guard

[@Nick-ok4eq]

@@richardtompkins7255 semantics

[@Lee-sn2dp]

because Fred is so bad.

[@taserienetflix2538]

I like the Jalen of last year that was trying to be a facilitator. Jalen working on his catch and shoot right now from what I heard from a FVV itw. Also I feel like JG usage rate was higher because of he tried to facilitate more last year. He needs to understand, be aggressive against bad teams and be more of a falicitator, use your gravity, drive and kick more against better teams to open the lanes. Key of successful offense against GOOD teams is Jalen on ball not trying to get 30. If he uses his gravity and help everyone hit shots, that will help him later on in the 3rd/4th quarter. But we need someone reliable to beat up on bad teams too, you guys failed to mention that. Sengun often had a lack of motor in those games and thanks to Jalen we did not lose them.

[@sanjay_6556]

Ime is a good coach he just needs to adjust Fred’s game

[@nomiz1987]

Jalen hardly gets any separation, all he has is a quick first step to the basket, he doesnt have any moves to give him any separation for the mid

[@jonasculpepper8247]

Jalen also turns over the ball at too high of a clip to trust him with the ball in clutch moments... dude is super inefficient!

[@richardtompkins7255]

This team is a little ahead of schedule the process is still processing y’all need to relax and let the team develop. Yall wanna trade for people who didn’t take the team they are on now to the finals. If we make a trade right now we are not going to the finals. Y’all need to quit trying to play GM and relax. If yall were GM’s why are yall not GM ing for an NBA team

[@StateOfTheRockets]

You have awful comprehension skills, Dick. This pod was barely about any of the things you mentioned. Be a better listener...it will serve you well if you ever develop the ability to find a spouse. - Roosh

[@Terence85Smith]

Omg 😱 stop with the Zach Levine

[@aliolci]

AlP needs help

[@johnbell3927]

Buddy is super negative

[@richardtompkins7255]

Roost needs to go to Locked on Rockets so him and ole boy can hate on Jalen together

[@Lezahfire]

I agree. They're no longer critizing jalen. But A hater. But it's normal. Even if jalen becomes a great player of Houston for example. Roosh, will be a forever hater of jalen. I think I know Jalen knows how to handle a difficult people..

[@pattrickmerete]

Frank is very objective. I like his opinion, and his observations make sense whether they are negative or positive. Meanwhile, Roosh is nothing but a hater. He tried to reach out to Jalen to suck up to him (pathetic) but got turned down.

[@laluna6245]

everyone is a jalen hater who criticize him for u jalen fan boys.

[@hdhdhdh2]

Roosh still mad Jalen cussed his ass out lol

[@StateOfTheRockets]

No, I'm disappointed that Jalen has a 1:1 assist/turnover ratio, has his lowest assist% of his career, highest TO% of his career, shooting 32% from 3, and having 1 hot quarter for every 4 quarters where he plays poorly. --Roosh

[@hdhdhdh2]

@ your disappointment has lasted a long time and it’d be refreshing to hear your perspective from a different approach, cause hearing it one way makes it seem personal and just doubling down on your previous commentary , and this is coming from someone who enjoys your outlook on everything else

[@StateOfTheRockets]

@@hdhdhdh2 What different approach is there? He's played the exact same way since he entered the NBA. Do you want me to make stuff up? How is it personal? He's averaging career worst numbers in very important categories. If anyone is doubling down, it's him doubling down on his ineffective play style. --Roosh

[@hdhdhdh2]

@@StateOfTheRockets I blame the g league but that’s another subject. And I just want to say you are correct in everything you mentioned and since I’m only basing my opinion on your tweets and time with Frank, I’ll subscribe and hear your other viewpoints but this offense struggles beyond jg and I think theirs room to call out the problem with the offense and not just the player because I think the whole offense as a team and on a individual bases struggle with 2nd and 3rd counter scoring

[@pattrickmerete]

@@StateOfTheRockets "He's played the exact same way since he entered the NBA." Okay, genius, when he entered the NBA, he was a cone and "wasn’t playing defense." It's year four, and he's a completely different player on defense, except on offense. If his defense improved, his offense can improve as well. At this point, you're just hating.

[@mukhanglarochannel4774]

I choose green to take the last shot. Vanvleet is too small, I don't think he will take a good looks.

[@JamesKemp-wu8dx]

STOP TRIPPING, we 3 in the west and have a problem with the players, yr 2

[@taserienetflix2538]

Jalen hunting his shot on ball because when he is off ball, the ball rarely find him, Fred will most likely look for someone else (Sengun 50% percent of the time or another shooter not named Jalen). This is where the Fred ices Jalen is coming from. Which Fred was not doing in March last year (ignoring Jalen) as Sengun was not there

[@cosmicK9786]

They force the Senhub at times, it’s clearly their go to set. But it almost feels too predictable, and often leads to poor turnovers in the 4th.

[@taserienetflix2538]

Agreed and our players are too static around Sengun when he post up and take threes out of rhythm. A drive and kick in the flow of the offense better for Bari DB and FVV

[@bastadimasta]

He shot 20 times last game and scored 19. Is that someone who rarely finds the ball?

[@taserienetflix2538]

Read again basta, you can do better than that

[@iAmEdwinHamilton]

A lot of people will die on that Jalen hill….not me! If he does figure it out, it won’t be in a Rockets uniform

[@cosmicK9786]

You’re on to something.

[@djmill8000]

Great video Frank.. My opion: Im not building around a guy who is limited both offensively and defesively and is subjected to be schemed out of a game. So many Rockets fans try to equate Sengun to Jokic but Jokic is the exception not the rule. Just like Jalen has been inefficent every year, the same can be said about ALP not eveolving his game from the outside. Sure he can get away with that now but what happens in a 7 game series when teams take away the paint? You guys always put infaces on ALP gettinig doubled, but not understanding that teams and the NBA went away from postinig up Ceneters like that because it is easy for defenses to double centers oppose to doubling guards on the perimeter. Jokic, AD, Embiid, Sabonis, all gets doubled when tryig to post up on the low block, the diffence is, thats not the only way those guys can eat. They all three level scores who has the VERSATILITY to score in different ways so they are not subjected to be schemed out of games, they are not DEPENDENT on lineup construction becuase they can step out on the permiter and not clog space, they dont become predictable in a playoff series..Sengun is a good peice not the main dish, he is not versatile enough, and not dominant enough like a shaq or Gianis to not become versatile

[@RonnieTon]

What's the odds on roosh saying the same exact phrases he does every pod. "Microwave scorer" Clarkson type of player. Amen is really good. Literally offers nothing different on the pod. Because all he can do is be negative and push agendas.

[@RonnieTon]

And there it is microwave scorer checked off the list

[@StateOfTheRockets]

Very high. Because that’s what he is. -Roosh

[@zachwilliams5038]

Nah man, he’s doing alright bro

[@emrahduman8783]

Facts hurt sometimes but they are still facts! JG’s ceiling is at best JC.

[@codingstyle9480]

Are you annoyed by his "microwave scorer" phrase for Jalen because you love Jalen who is a complete balls-up.

[@goodbook2268]

Box score narrators. Green gets the blame, sengun apologist.

[@zachwilliams5038]

Should’ve taken Castle over Reed. Reed has zero impact in the game. He was a top 3 pick and is basically unplayable. If Reed could catch up to speed, we can release FVV next year, and run it with Amen and Reed. But no, we have to bring someone in because our guard play is lacking and there’s no creation or shooting

[@bastadimasta]

Reed play minimum minutes. Give him real time

[@davidsha9087]

My issue is that Jalen can get hot and Udoka gets him on the bench and leaves him there. When he comes back he's cold again. You gotta ride the hot hand. Udoka don't care about the hot hand. If you're playing good offense and bad defense he'll sit you.

[@solid3359]

I want Cam Whitmore to improve his passing, handles and vision if Rockets can develop him to be PG it is over for the league.

[@Lezahfire]

Why do compare him to JC.they a different path.jordan is not a top picks of their class.Very Racist by roosh. .

[@kinsley131]

i cant stand van fleet. worst rocket ever. stubby fake ring