Kids these days think of the Houston Rockets as either one of two things: James Harden and Co. for nearly a decade or a young team stuck in lottery purgatory. Because of the latter, the Rockets tended to be pushed around and a favorite for opponents looking to get out of a slump or tack on an easy win. 

This year, though, those perceptions have changed. 

The Los Angeles Lakers were coming into the Toyota Center as winners of three of their last four games. Houston was the complete opposite, winning just one game in their last four. However, both teams traded shots until Jalen Green decided to take matters into his own hands. A 21-5 run to close out the opening quarter was the cushion the Rockets needed to stay ahead for good, even if a late rally by the Lakers in the fourth quarter made some in Houston worried. 

The Rockets have been punishing opposing teams by catching them off guard with timely cuts, favorable mismatches off the pick-and-roll, and fastbreak runs. With eight players averaging at least 9.1 points per game, it’s almost a cross between pick-your-poison and next-man-up that makes them a tough opponent. 

Part of it is due to the experience of the likes of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, and Jabari Smith Jr., who have earned their stripes and in one way or another encountered adversity in their career. Whether it was overcoming injury or having to endure losing seasons, tough times only reveal the tough cookies. Through them, we see the value of going through a season rather than being great from the jump. Not everyone can achieve the latter and so the best path to staying in the NBA is to continue learning. And right now, we’re seeing the fruits of their labor. 

The Rockets’ combination of youth and size has been a major factor in them leading the NBA in offensive rebounds per game (14.2) and total rebounds per game (48.9). It’s an indication that everyone is battling during each possession and the results speak for themselves: Houston is the best in the league in second chance points per game (17.4) and is a top team in terms of fastbreak points and points in the paint.  

That youth of theirs is a double-edged sword as they’ve largely been leaning on individual play, as referenced by their league-worst 21.8 assists per game. Right now, it hasn’t really hurt their chances, but Rockets head coach Ime Udoka would prefer they keep the ball moving more as Houston also averages the least passes in the league (264.3 per game). 

Nonetheless, the Rockets remain a team on the rise and credit must be given to the mentors responsible for rearing the young guns. Fred VanVleet has been a steady stream of scoring and playmaking (thanks to a team-best 5.8 assists per game). Jeff Green and Steven Adams may not see the court as much as they used to, but they still provide the veteran presence needed to mentor Houston’s young core. Anytime they play well is a bonus and a lesson for their peers. 

Udoka deserves his flowers as well for this turnaround. The former Boston Celtics head coach ended his first season with the Rockets with an even 41-41 record and has already surpassed their win total from this time last year. He’s clearly far from finished and it would be interesting to see if he could replicate what he did for the Celtics in 2022 either in this season or the next. 

At 23-12, the Houston Rockets currently have the fifth-best record in the NBA and only trail the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. It might be unlikely that they catch up to the Thunder, but they have already surpassed everyone’s expectations for them this season. 

Everyone knew the Rockets would be good in time, but few expected that time would be now. Given their current pace, it may be unlikely that this would be the last surprise they pull off.