Space Summary
The Twitter Space #Rockets Media Day (Bridge Before PlayBack) hosted by BiasedHouston. In this engaging session led by Bradeaux and Will from Houston Live Room, the focus was on the upcoming Rockets Media Day, with insights into event planning, engaging the audience post-event with a playback experience, and the significance of media interactions for sports teams. The discussion provided valuable tips on maximizing coverage, building anticipation, and creating compelling content. Understanding the behind-the-scenes of media day organization and strategic engagement with fans were key highlights of the session.
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Space Statistics
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Questions
Q: How crucial is media day for sports teams like the Rockets?
A: Media day is vital for media interactions, fan engagement, and team branding.
Q: What are the key elements in preparing for a media playback event?
A: Creating engaging content, maximizing coverage, and building anticipation are essential.
Q: How does media exposure impact the Rockets' audience reach?
A: Media exposure helps in expanding audience reach, creating excitement, and enhancing team visibility.
Q: Why focus on behind-the-scenes of media day organization?
A: Highlighting behind-the-scenes aspects adds depth, transparency, and authenticity to media coverage.
Q: What strategies are effective in engaging fans post-media day event?
A: Post-event engagement can be maximized with creative content, interactive sessions, and exclusive previews.
Highlights
Time: 00:10:15
Media Day Event Planning Insights Behind-the-scenes look at planning the Rockets Media Day event.
Time: 00:20:30
Creating Compelling Playback Content Tips on producing engaging and exciting content for the post-event playback.
Time: 00:35:45
Anticipation Building Strategies Strategies to build anticipation and excitement leading up to the Rockets Media Day.
Time: 00:45:20
Maximizing Media Coverage Impact Discussing ways to maximize the reach and impact of media day coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Insights into the Rockets Media Day event planning process.
- Preparations for a playback event to engage the audience post-event.
- Discussion on the importance of media interactions for the Rockets team.
- Preview of key topics to be covered during Rockets Media Day.
- Insights on how media events impact fan engagement and team branding.
- Emphasis on behind-the-scenes aspects of media day organization.
- The significance of media exposure for sports teams.
- Tips for maximizing media day coverage and leveraging content.
- Building anticipation and excitement for the Rockets Media Day event.
- Strategies for creating engaging content for the playback event.
Behind the Mic
Introduction to Season Experience
All right, what's good? Was good. We gonna be in here? This is the space before we transition over to playback. We'll probably switch over to playback maybe like 30 minutes ish before they start going live with all like, the interviews and stuff like that. We're gonna watch it over and play back as a. As one big happy family over there. So, yeah, this is kind of just to kind of get people, I guess I won't say excited, but just kind of let it know that's what we're gonna be doing later on. So I can come up here and I can talk by myself for an hour about the rockets in 2024. 2025. Or y'all can join me. Either. Either way, it's all good. We gonna, we gonna. We gonna make it work regardless. Jada will be back. I guess I can break news on spaces and say that JD is coming back. He'll be on the playback later today as well.
Details About Playback Transition and Housekeeping
I don't think he'll be in the space exactly, but the link to the playback when we do transition is in the jumbo trial. I still probably be in here for like an hour or so. I think that they start kind of going live with that around like 1112. So, yeah, I think that's all the housekeeping I had to put out. We'll be in playback a lot more this upcoming season. The post game spaces are. We're going to bring those back. That's obviously still going to happen. But I don't, like, just kind of last year we did it. I don't think I'm going to do them after every single game because I don't really think we need to do a post game space for every single game. Especially. Cause at a certain point you realize people are saying the exact same thing every single night.
Expectations for Post Game Spaces
And it's just like, there's really no point in this sharing that. So for the most part, the post game spaces will kind of like the daily ones. We'll be in playback watching every single game this season. And so, like, if we want to share our thoughts after a game, we'll probably be in there. Now, that being said, if, like, jalen drops 40 or, I don't know, obviously if we have a big win against, like, a rival, we'll have a space for that to kind of celebrate or talk about that. Or even if, like, something like, really bad happens, like, if somebody has a bad game and, you know, or the team doesn't perform the way we want to see them perform, we'll come on here and talk about that as well. But, yeah, I think that's all the housekeeping linked to that playback in the jumbotron.
Discussing Roster and Offseason Changes
Isaiah, how you doing, bro? You're chilling, man. Fighting. I ain't gonna lie. We finally got brackets basketball to talk about again, bro. Hey, I'm saying, bro, it's been. I don't know, man. I feel like this offseason, all them. Nasty off season combos, man. I don't know what it was this offseason. Didn't feel as long to me as the. The one, like, probably. Cause. Yeah, I think that might have held us over and then, I don't know. Like, I don't know. I feel like we had less to talk about this year, which is interesting. Cause, like, I feel like that would be what made the offseason go by quicker. The fact that, like, in the last couple of seasons, like, especially last offseason, between the draft and free agency and the coaching hiring of that good stuff, like, there was so much to talk about.
Analysis of Team Changes
And, like, this year, we just drafted Reed shepherd and then traded for AJ Griffin. And then he's no longer even here. So I don't know. We didn't really do too much this offseason. But I actually. I do think that was. I think that was the right way to play it, though. I didn't want to see us go out there and make like a super duper big move or shake up the roster. Like, I was perfectly fine. Just bring in whoever we brought in from the draft, maybe bring in like a complimentary vet or something like that to kind of play on the bench or whatnot. But other than that, I was perfectly fine. Just completely running it back the same way. I guess I can start this off by saying I, you know, my prediction I talked about a couple of times on.
Predictions and Expectations for the Upcoming Season
I know I've said it on the podcast and on TL before. I think we're going to get around 48 wins, maybe give or take one or two. That's. That's kind of my prediction. But 48 is kind of the number that I really. I really like. I think that, like, there's even a world where we go above that this year. And then, like, the reason why I feel like that's such a. Like, a really solid number for where that is. I mean, we won 41 games last year and that was off of one. We had a bunch of injuries to key guys. Remember a men. He got hurt, I want to say the fourth, like in the first quarter of the fourth game, something like that. He got hurt, like really early on, and then he missed like a month.
Impact of Key Player Injuries
And then if you remember, like, he came back and he played like three or four games. But I mean, that dude at the suds, bro, he was not healthy at all. He was on the sidelines coughing and sneezing and stuff. Like, he was, you could tell he wasn't in the best, like, physical condition in terms of his health at that point in time. So him coming back was like, you know, it is what it is. And then obviously, Tari Eason was the big miss. He did not start the season. I think he joined us about two weeks into the season last year. And then I think he played for like a month and then went out and that was, I think he played, like, exactly 20 some games. I would say he missed 60.
Assessing Team Strengths and Weaknesses
So I think he played exactly 22 games. And, like, obviously, like, I think Tara east and Amend Thompson, like, the definition of their impact goes beyond their box score production and what you see, like, in the stat sheet. Like, I don't, I think if you don't watch Amen Thompson and Tara east and play basketball, you don't understand how much they impact winning and how huge. Like I said, amin came back and, you know, he got to the rhythm. But, like, Tari Eason missing pretty much the entire season, like, that was huge. I feel like people don't really understand that when talking about the Rockets. Last year, Shingoon got hurt the final, like, 20 ish games of the season as well.
Continuity and Improvement in Team Performance
And, like, he got hurt in crunch time. So, like, that was obviously when it was needed. And Jalen was able to kind of keep us afloat for a lot of that time without shingoon. But once that Scatter report came out that, like, hey, the Rockets are pretty much a one man show right now. You can, if you just stop Jalen, you can stop the Rockets. Once that scatter report came out, like, that's when we saw what happened in, like, the, in April when, like, teams kind of started doubling him in trapping and every time he got the ball, mavericks games where they just, like, trapped like the hell out of jail in the entire game.
Anticipating Roster Contributions and Individual Development
And, like, stuff like that just won't happen if Shingoon's out there. And so him coming back is going to, you know, is going to be huge. I think that our biggest weakness on the court itself was, like, we didn't have a backup center the entire season last year. We were playing, like, Jeff Green, you know, who's amazing in his role for us last year. Like, no disrespect to him at all. I thought he did a phenomenal job, but he's. He's not a center. He's a. He's, what, 37 years old? Six, eight. You know, going down there trying to kind of contain centers. Like, that's just not what he's. That's not his job.
Assessing the Backup Center Situation
It's not what he's supposed to be doing. And then we did some, like, some jabari at center. It was like the same thing there. Like, I think he did a great job of what he was capable of doing, but obviously, like, that's not, you know, that's not his position. And so now we have Steven Adams, who reports are that he's healthy now, that he's. That he's good. He was. I think he was at practice with them, and then they're saying he's. He's back to normal. I am a little hesitant to, like. To, like what to expect from him because he is at that age where when you start having those knee injuries, that is usually the beginning of the end.
Recovery and Expectations for Steven Adams
And he had two really bad knee injuries. So I don't really know what to expect. But, you know, from what I've heard, they expect him to play. They expect big things from him this season. And if. Even if not, I think Jack Landale, he turned the corner. Cause I think he. I think he was, you know, with all due respect, I think he was God awful for like 75% of the season. But that last, like, final stretch, it was like when Shingle went out, Jack Lando decided it was time for him to step up. I thought he was really. I thought. I think it was a couple of games where I was like, if Jack Lando doesn't play, we probably lose tonight.
Assessing Jack Landale's Performance
And so if nothing else, hopefully he kind of continues that play he had from last season into this season. And if nothing else, like, you have two guys who you have the optionality to throw out there at the backup center. And then the last thing, I guess, is just the spacing. That was probably the biggest issue with the team last year was we just couldn't hit open threes. And I think a lot of that does. I hate to, like, boil it just down to it, but I think a lot of it does just come down to Jalen Green and him struggling the way he did last year.
Performance Expectations for Jalen Green
And if you expect him to kind of continue not necessarily saying he would play at the level he played at in March for an entire season, I mean. Cause if he did that, he's like, a top 15 player in our league. And I don't think that's reasonable to expect them to play at that level. What is he going to be 23 years old this year? I don't think it's reasonable to expect him to play at that level for a full season, although it'll be nice just to get, like, an approximation of that version of him for an entire season and him stay consistent. Like I said, I think 48 wins is the reality. I think that, like, I think the playing tournament is the floor for this team, and I'm going to be real, man.
Looking Ahead to Season Goals
I think that we can be a lot better than playing tournament. Like, say, it wouldn't surprise me, especially if, like, if Jalen really breaks out this year, which, you know, fingers crossed he does. I said it wouldn't shock me if were, like, on the verge of 50 wins. So, yeah, I don't know. I talked a lot. I'll let my plan there. Vader Bruce said on the verge. Yeah, I mean, I think we could be 50, 51 ish. You know what I'm saying? I don't like, man, I don't know. We getting that 50 ball, bruh. Those are the reasons why I think, like I said, were a 41 team last year with everything that I issued that, like, we can identify that could.
Final Thoughts on Team Performance
I think we have rectified this year. And then also, like, the last thing I'll say, actually, this is the last thing I'll say. The fact that we're also just going to be a year older. Right. I think there's a such thing as, like, continuity helping. And, like, we're, like I said, we didn't bring in major roster turnover. It's the same coaching staff for the most part. Guys already know what's expected of them. They know what, you know, the foundation for what Houston Rockets basketball supposed to look like was late last year. So now it's just about executing it to the best of our abilities. And like I said, they're a year older. They have another year, another offseason to develop and to, I guess, understand what he may, is expecting of them.
Summarizing Expectations for the Team
And so, like, you know, just natural growth as well. The difference between 41 and 48 is just seven wins. And I don't, I think when you break it down like that, with everything I just said, I don't think saying that this team improves by just seven wins is crazy to say. So I don't know, actually, I learned my plan there. I talked a lot. Vader, I'll let you go, what's my connection? Like, you sound straight ahead. All right. We loud, baby. All right, look, we sent three coaches to Turkey, right to the. To make sure Shingle got his stuff together. Shangoo Finn to be something different this year, man.
High Hopes for Shingoon in the Upcoming Season
I really believe that. Like, we really saw that third year leave happen for him last. Last season. But I think fourth year Shingon gonna be something special with. If they. If they went out there and did all the stuff that we hoping they did, I hope he come back with that three ball. Just. He dominated at the beginning of the year. You know what I'm saying? Like, and then prior to that injury, you know, we saw what he did when he had that. That unicorn, alien Wendy on him, gave that boy to business. What do you drop? What did he drop on Wendy and the spurs? I don't even remember. Yeah. So this is the type of dude we got.
Excitement and Anticipation for Jalen Green
And then we saw Marsh Jalen Green. People gonna say that's not. That's not who he is, but I think he's something. Like, we saw it, bro. Like, he has. He has some abilities and skills that, like, everybody don't possess what Jalen possess. It's all mental for him. It's all consistency for him. If he can finally put it together, you know, we cook it. So I'm really excited about the season. You know, we seen what I'm in Thompson been doing over the summer. He'd been working on his. On his strength, and he was already, like, a freak athlete anyway.
Anticipating the Future Performance of the Team
So you trying to tell me that bro is coming back with, like, even more freakier pause? No, diddy. You know, saying, like, nah, I think the Rockets, like, we gonna have a good season this season if, you know, everybody can stay healthy, you know? I think. I think they locked in. We seen, Jalen had that little, the little workout where they all showed up and let. We ain't even talked about demon Reed yet. We ain't even talked about demon Reed yet. You feel me? So, yeah. So I think. I think this season gonna be something, man. I'm really looking forward to it.
Opening the Floor for Discussion
What do you think, Isaiah? Oh, I was gonna let the hands go before me. I think CJ was up here first. No, t was before me. He can go first up. What's up, t? That's on me. Yes, sir. Yeah, go ahead, bro. First of all, how y'all doing, my brother? So good to hear from y'all, man. I miss y'all. Like, no, diddy, but look, real talk. yeah, let's do live out here. Come on. All right, I'm back. So I think that this year is probably going to be the best rocket team we've seen since the James Harden era.
Evaluating Team Dynamics and Expectations
I think you have to factor a lot of things in as far as Langoon losing all the weight that he's lost. From what I heard, what I've seen, how muscular he is now. no suspect shit, but I think that's going to really help him out in the long run. I think him going against Stephen Adams in practice opposed to going against Jacqueline. Practice is a big difference because of how strong Adams is. It's kind of, it kind of preps him up. When you go against like, the bigger players, like Embiid, the cats, the.
Jabari Smith's Potential
That's just my opinion. I don't know if anybody might agree with that. And I think Jabari Smith is going to have a shocking year that's going to shock a lot of people this year. Because when you say shocking everybody, like, what is shocking? He's going to go up. To me as far as him being a fourth option, but that's pretty much what he's going to be. I think a good 1617 and nine is what I see from him. And that's, to me, that's a hell of a fourth option to have. I just feel like Eudoka might utilize him a little more offense as far as that turnaround jumper that he does, working on that, you know, free throw line, pull up, finesse game that he's been doing. And I think that this year, he's gotten maybe a little bit more stronger. He'll be a little more physical. I feel like. I feel like the bench, Reed Shepard is really going to help out.
Bench Contributions and Team Dynamics
Even the little minutes that he gets, I feel like all the attention is going to be on so many other people. You know, those who can penetrate the ball. No diddy, like, amen. You know, Tari, those who can get into the lane and kick out. I think it's going to help out read a lot because Reed's not coming in here to be the guy. He's not coming here to be the main focal point. He's really coming in just bang to be a role player for right now, which the attention won't be based on him for the most part. So, yeah, that's. That's how I feel about it. Thank y'all. Would you, RC, I think it was on you at this point.
Expectations for the Team
Yeah, man, it's a great day, man. It's a great time to be a rocket fan. If you went through the past few years, then you understand that. Yeah. It's time to get back to business, man. And it's a great day. Now, I know I'm gonna have some things that some people not gonna want to hear, but, hey, we gonna do it anyway. I told everybody last year we was gonna win 35 to 40 games. Now, literally, if y'all can go find the recording from last year when we did the. The startup of the season, I told y'all they was gonna win 35 to 40 games, and everybody thought that was crazy. Like, they thought that was just, oh, how they gonna go from that to this? Well, I'm gonna tell y'all this year, they're probably gonna win 50 games this year.
Defensive Focus
It's all gonna come down to everybody being honed in on defense. That's all that's gonna matter because offensively, this team is gonna put up buckets this year. If you. If you look at all the guys that play last year that played real minutes last year, they all realized what they needed to do, and they all honed in on what they needed to do in order to better this year. This team could have been in the playoffs last year. This team this year will be in the playoffs. The playing is literally the bottom. That's. That's bare minimum. They're going to be a seven or eight seed. It's all. It's all going to depend on, really, Memphis and New Orleans, because one of those teams have to.
Team Dynamics and Expectations
Are going to have to play a little bit down for us to get to where we want to get to because both of those teams should be pretty good this year, and Stephen Adams is going to be the key to a lot of this. And I think if Jabari doesn't play an elite level type of basketball, it will be some instances where he ends up finding himself on the bench a little bit more this year. For Stephen Adams to play with Sangoon, I think that's going to be something that's going to be used a lot more than people think, and it's going to benefit sanguine in a lot of ways, playing alongside of Steven Adams because it's going to take some work off of him on the defensive end and let him really make his mark on the offensive end the way he wants to.
Looking Ahead
So all in all, this is going to be a great season for the Rockets. I really want to see if Jalen Green could be that guy because if he's a 25 point game, God, this team is going to be scary and everybody is going to fear them. Because if y'all remember last year at the beginning of the year, were the team, were the only team that really beat Denver, especially in Denver. We were the only team that actually showed that we could beat Denver. And that was because we had our young guys is because we had Tari east and playing, and he was playing pretty well. And that's going to be a big key to this team.
Players and Potential
If Tari Eason plays a full season and gives them that type of defensive presence with Dylan Brooks, with Eamonn, like, this is going to be scary for a lot of teams and this team is going to be able to walk to 50 wins and we going to look at this season and be like, damn, we really underestimated them. And you know what? Like, if they, if they not what we imagine they're going to be, there's probably going to be some changes, but embrace that change. How many, how many different players did the Celtics bring in till they got it right? You feel me? You got to be, you know, as a fan base.
Team Evolution
Like, we grow attached to a lot of these guys. I'm a huge fan of a lot of these dudes on the team. But, like, I'm, I want to win a championship, bro. Like, I, you know, I'm not no player only fan. I'm a Houston Rockets fan. So, like, you know, if there are some things that come down the pipeline and they feel like they can make moves, you know, you may shake it up a little bit in order for this team to become a championship team because that's ultimately the goal that's not going to be this season. Obviously, we still kind of in the infancy stages, like that whole process of making playoffs, making a deep run in the playoffs.
Celtics Reference
You see how long it took. I'm bringing Celtics up again, but you see how long it took for them to actually put that, that, you know, that winning formula together. They, you know, they made some deep runs. They made it to the finals and lost against the Golden State warriors. And then last year, they finally were able to break through. But, man, if you really think about it, that was a long process. And think of how many times you heard people saying, oh, they need to break Jason Tatum and Jalen Brown. Right? You heard that.
Establishing Core Group
You heard that, like, every single offseason after they got eliminated from the playoffs. So I think the key thing for me this year, I'm hoping that the Rockets can establish, like, who are the core guys, who are the core group of guys that we want to be here, you know, for the duration, for the long term, and then they can start, like, figuring out how to fill in those ancillary pieces and put guys around them. And so that's kind of what I'm looking for this season. I want to add on to that. And then also I'll say, like, if somebody says something that you want to jump in on, you don't have to, like, raise your hand to speak on it.
Predictions and Preparations
Like, I'll call them the hands, but, like, this can be just an open dialogue space, but not to add on to what you were saying, Vader, I think that's another, like, another beautiful thing about this season is because I said my prediction is somewhere in the 48 wins, I really would not be shocked if it was 50. But if we somehow don't reach that goal, if we're somehow, like, you know, I just don't see how it happens, but if it does, we're somehow, like, the 11th seed. We missed a playing tournament this year or something like that. Looks like, I think a plan.
Understanding Challenges
Tournament's the floor. But if that doesn't happen, we're going to know why. Like, there's no more, there's nothing that's going to, like, hide what the problem is. You're going to know what the issue is. And I think the cool thing about our rebuild is stone has put us in, like, there's so many different ways that this team can build a contender, right. Obviously, we're going to try to build through the draft, and, you know, we drafted a bunch of young guys, you know, early in the draft to kind of come in and transform this team.
Trade Capital and Strategy
But if that doesn't work, we have, like, we made the trade this offseason where we, you know, we flipped the Brooklyn Nets picks for more draft capital. So now we have a lot of draft picks to play around with. That's another way you can build a contender is taking young talent, taking draft picks, and then trading them, kind of like what the Lakers did when they brought in Anthony Davis, trading those guys for an established start. That's another way you can rebuild. We're going to have cap space this offseason, so you can either, you know, bringing somebody, free agency, trade for somebody into that space.
Building Competitive Rosters
There's, like, so many different ways that this team can put forth the competitive roster moving forward. that we just have, we, like, we have the option to choose, like, okay, this is what we're going to try. And if that doesn't work, we have this backup plan. We have this backup plan in play, like I said. So the important part for me is just if, like, if we, for some reason, do not reach the goals we had the season, which would obviously be a huge problem, and, like that I have to be answered for, but if we don't, we're going to know why.
Visibility of Issues
Like, the problem is going to stick out like a sore thumb, and it'll be like, we will know how to address it. So, like, that, you know, regardless, I think we're going to be in good shape moving forward. I think it was Colton, and then I go kill. All right, guys. Hey. Another off season done. Another regular season about to begin. We're back, and I don't think we. And honestly, we're better than ever. Truly. I mean, I don't think people are realizing.
Team Depth
I mean, I guess you are, but we haven't put it to a point that we truly have at least a ten men rotation potential to where our backup, our literal bench unit, is better than some of the starting units out in the league. I mean, think about it. Amen. Reed, Cam Tari, and Stephen Adams. That's an incredible lineup for a bit unit. I don't, man, last year, I gave myself, like, a buffer window of 35 to 38. I'm sticking just straight 48 wins, take it or leave it.
Optimism for the Future
And now, and, you know, more 48 plus, this team is going to be much better than most people think. I mean, yes, us rockets fans know that we're going to be good. And we know we have faith. We all, we trust the process. But the league is not really figuring us. They haven't figured it out yet. They're going to be in for a rude awakening when we start, when they play us. Like, we're going to be really freaking good. Like, I don't think people understand how much Reed shepherd alone is going to open up the spacing on the floor.
Reed Shepherd's Impact
Having a person who's lethal with a shot, a three point shot is going to open up so much opportunities towards the rest of the players can make the plays they need to play to make. They make the plays they need to make that alone. It's going to change everything. Not to mention amen. Thompson, I mean, he's been working. You can see it in the footage. He's been working on that jump shot throughout the entire offseason. If that thing is slightly efficient, it's over for the league.
Encouragement for Team Dynamics
Over. I'm. I'm very excited. I'm happy that we're having a space again. I'm glad that everyone's back. I'm awesome. It's great to see some more familiar faces, and we're going to add some new ones because we're going to be actually a playoff contender. Not a contender, but just a playoff team contender in the future, near future, might I add, again, like, just kind of reiterate some what everyone else has said. Yeah.
Emphasis on Team Loyalty
If there's things going to be changed, I'm a per. I root for the jersey on the front. The name on the front, not the back. The Rockets is what we need to work root for. Do I want Jalen here? Love him. We'll see how he does. I do. I have faith. Yes. Yes, I do. but Mandev, the rocket seasons here, and we're gonna kick some ass.
Coaching Expectations
Truly, we are going to be very good. I'm very excited. Go ahead, Kim. What's up, everybody? First happening, bro. First off, rest in peace. Give me that. Shit is tough. Mandez. Shitty day to start the day, but, you know, rock is going to uplift us. The biggest thing I want to see this year is actually imaze second year. This is his first time being a second year coach with the same team, same unit.
Coaching Developments
Obviously, he was one and done in Boston. So that, for me, is going to be the key thing I look at, like, obviously, you know, we have players that we all want to see leaps from. We want to see what Reed is going to be able to do. But again, remember, he's a rookie, so you kind of gotta let him ease into the game. I'm in second year for a lot of last year he was hurt or, you know, in g league.
Building Confidence in Players
So, you know, want to see how he count. You know, he, I gotta watch what I'm saying here. I forgot. You want to watch how he evolves as well. Hopefully Cam's iq has gotten maybe 0.1% better. That would be a vast improvement. But, yeah, no, I mean, he made for me is the biggest thing I want to see as far as coaching goes and seeing how he, what he's done in the offseason to get better as a coach because, you know what I mean?
Evaluating Coaching Performance
We really don't have too much data on him when you think about it. We got one year in Boston and then we have our year, right. And we do, we like the things we saw. But now how do you make adjustments as a coach? I don't know if people remember spo's first year and then his second year with the same team. So these are the things that I'm looking forward to because at the end of the day you can have the talent but if you can't coach or put him in the right situation as we know with Steven Silas, then, you know, it's just going to be a shit show.
Coaching Adjustments
So hopefully, you know, he's made the progression that he needs to make his coach again. He's 47, so he's pretty young. Second full year as a head coach under his belt. Now he, you know, and now he's into his third with the same team. So, yeah, I mean, that's pretty much what I'm looking forward to. I don't, I'm not going to make any predictions on the record. The west is still the west, very difficult, you know, so I don't want to give my hopes up.
Consistent Performance
Obviously, I would love to see us in a plan position and that's where I think we'll fall as in a plan. And then I think once we get in a plan we could give anybody problems. It's just getting there and being able to take the bumps and seeing how consistent we can because last year, if you remember, we started out hot, then we got cold and then we finished kind of hot.
Consistency in Performance
So I just want to be consistent throughout the season. Beat the teams we're supposed to be. That's very key is beating the teams we're supposed to be and then steal a couple from the teams that we're not supposed to be. So, yeah, that's what I'm looking forward to, but, yeah, I missed you guys a little bit sometimes here and there. Don't really miss the arguing on here too much anymore, but, yeah, I mean, I'm looking forward to it.
Returning to the Season
I mean, I'm definitely tap in with the play, but playback still support y'all on that. And, you know, it's good. The basketball season's back, man. I mean, I think we needed it and, you know, it's. I hope we still. I still feel like there's a couple pieces we can get. I mean, do you guys feel like there's anybody out there that we can go get that may help us even more? Or do you think that we should just stick with what we got?
Seeking Improvement
What are you. Immediately. Not probably right now? I don't know. I don't honestly know who's out there, so I don't want to speculate, but I think we actually can run it back to what we have and be pretty good. Now, we always have to be looking for somebody that can make us better. But I'm. Here's the thing, and this is what this is my problem with the CBA and what's going on is unfortunately, we're not going to be able to keep all these guys as you know, as you can tell the new CBA the rules.
Understanding CBA and Team Limitations
It's not, it's not gonna lock that. So that's something that low key pisses me off. I don't even know what the hell they did, to be honest. What I'm looking at the CBA, like, it seems like it made it better for the owners and worse for, like, the teams. I don't know if you guys can expound a little bit more on that would be great because I'm not seeing any benefit in their new, the new deal.
Reevaluating Ownership Outcomes
Honestly, cale, I'm not coming on that. But the first part of what you said, like, I don't see any benefit right now unless, like, unless the sons want to trade us Devin Booker for their picks. You know, saying, like, I. You got to kind of see what you have. Like, all of these dudes are super young, and I don't think they're in the position right now where they want to, like, necessarily trade, you know, I don't want to names, but trade any specific player or play group of players, you know, I'm saying, unless you know that deal comes across your desk, you know, saying, or somebody makes their phone call, say, hey, we will give you this, you know, something that you can't refuse.
Trade Evaluations
Make your offer. You can't refuse, you know, saying, but, like, other than that, unless something like that comes, I think they need to spend this first, you know, first few months of the season evaluating, like, and then kind of piggybacking off of what will said earlier. You're gonna know. We're gonna know. There's not gonna be any more. They're like, man, you know, maybe, you know, if this happens and this happens, if he had a better coach, if the system was better, if we had some kind of identity, if there was some structure, if there's some, that's none of that.
Eliminating Excuses
None of that. None of that applies anymore, bro. None of that applies anymore. So I'm ready to kind of see, like, what this first half of the season brings. And then, you know, I think the Rockets will go from there. I think they're going to evaluate the talent they have, how these players, and you know what, it's not even always just about talent and what that do, but, like, you know, they're building an identity.
Identity and System Development
They're building a system. Does this, does this fit what he may is trying to do? You know, I'm saying, and then I think after that, you might see some guys out. Yeah. And, and especially me, will talk about this last week where I told him, I said, hopefully, jalen's mental is where it needs to because as I told Will, I've not yet seen anybody in the years that he's played been able to stop him but him.
Mental Focus
Like, there's literally nobody on. And then, yeah, I've seen, like, bro, literally this. He literally, every shot he wants to get, it's just making the shots. Yeah. Doing it consistently as far as, like, shot creation. That's, yeah, like, I've literally watched and gone back and I'm like, I cannot remember a time that the defenders just locked him.
Performance Expectations
Like, no, he stops himself. He's faster than most people. He's more athletic than most people. He's shiftier than most people. So, again, it's just for him, for that kid, it's all about the mental. So, hopefully, because again, if you get a mentally tough Jalen Green, you've got one of the best players or one of the future best players in the NBA, because, again, there is literally nobody who can stop him.
Player Development
And then on top of that, he's added in, you know, showing that he can be a capable passer and that he's, he can rebound the ball. So that's the thing for me. I need to see is because you've shown us that you can do this, to do it on a consistent basis, night in, the night out. Like, you've shown us that you can do it. Like, that's if you never showed us that you could do these things and, you know, the expectations wouldn't be as high.
Building on Success
But you can't just. Right. We wouldn't expect that. We wouldn't expect that from you because you, we know you can't do it. Not be a defensive. Yeah, we've seen you not be a defensive liability. We seen you playmate. We've seen you rebound. You know what I'm saying?
Discussion about Coaching and Roster Excuses
I want to add another thing, too, to what you were saying. Vader, too, like, you talking about, like, the coaching not really being excuse anymore, the roster not really being excused. He may kind of touched on it last year, and we kind of, like, still let it slide. But you. I think he said, like, you designed an excuse. That's what he said. Like, in his introduction, press conference. Like I said, we kind of still let it go a little bit. Like, it is what it is. I'm not really tripping that. Like, we still kind of gave guys a pass. You look at it now, bro. Like, of the. Cause I don't want to throw Reed into this discussion to check it. Caesar, rookie. But of the guys that we have returning for, the six guys are in year three or year four now, and, like that, they're still young, right? They're not even 24, 25 years old just yet. But, like, you usually know by year three, year four what a young player is going to be, right? Unless you are trying to think like a late bloomer, like a guy who was just super duper late.
Potential and Expectations from Young Players
I don't know, maybe like a Kawhi Leonard, who kind of, even then, he was an elite role player before he became a superstar. But, like, unless you're just, like a really late bloomer, you usually kind of know by year three, year four who a player is. And so that's another thing, too. Like, I think this year you're going up. Like, if something we can, these guys can have all the potential in the world, right? You can say, well, you know, they were drafted, you know, this slot in the draft, and they were this level prospect. And we believe in them to this degree at a certain point. Like, your potential is just potential until you do something with it. And I think this is the year we start seeing some of that potential be actualized. And like I said, if, you know, what else? You know, and when they say you had and you know, when they say you have potential, what does that mean?
Expectations from the Players With Potential
You haven't done it yet? Yeah, you haven't done it. It's time to see it. We keep talking about potential, you know, saying that. All that is telling me is that you have not consistently done it yet. And we are, we should be to a point where we're kind of past that. You know, we not probably going to be hopping in these spaces and making excuses for dudes. The only person who probably going to get a pass this year is probably read because he is a rookie and he going to go through his. But even a touch on that more. I feel like it should be a lot more pressure on these vet guys like Dylan Brooks and Fred Van Fleet. I feel like it's a certain level that I need to see them play at as well because I think those are the guys that are first to go to be real because honestly, Dylan Brooks is taking shots from Tari east and Cam Whitmore. Those are shots that they could be getting that can and they can play the same tenacity of defense, you know what I'm saying? Especially Tari.
Discussion on Dylan Brooks and Fred Van Vliet
So I think it's going to be big on those. How are they taking shot? How is he taking shots, bro? He didn't shoot that much. Yeah, but I'm not saying obviously he's not taking a bunch of shots away, but those are shots that Cam could be getting. Are those not cam could be getting in the corner? Those are size that. Sorry. Can be getting in the corner. I'll say this though, the reason why I don't have the same, like, obviously I hold the vets to a high standard, but the reason why I don't like, look at him the same way is one, I don't think Dylan Brooks or Fred Movlit will be on this roster in like two seasons. I think Fred has a chance. I think there's a world where we like decline his team option this summer and then resign him for like a lesser deal. But like, or like, I'm sorry, a longer like year deal with less money per year.
Future of Team Dynamics
But even then, like, that's would be the transition. It's like a bench role and like, I wouldn't have as much expectations for that. Like, Dylan Brooks, I think Dylan, there's a war where this is dead. Dylan Brooks, his last season, I. It wouldn't shock me at all. And so, like, I don't know that they're not the futures for me. So I don't know. I think they do their jobs for the most part, what they're supposed to do anyways. Like, I think they're stepping. I think. I think Fred has done a good job as the point guard. I think Dylan has his moments, obviously, but in terms of, like, he was brought here to lay a culture, right. To lay a foundation, I'm about to. Say, well, let's be honest. Was Dylan Brooks or Fred Van Vliet anything different than we expected them to be when we.
Evaluating Dylan Brooks and Fred Van Vliet's Contributions
I would argue dylan was actually better because I thought dylan was going to be terrible. That's what I'm getting to. When they, when they went and brought those two dudes in, you, we have, they have a body of work. We knew what they were. You know what I'm saying? So, like, the expectation for me, for dylan brooks and fred van vliet is just kind of what it's always been. You know, I'm not wowed by either one of them. They here to play a role, a specific role. They were here to build culture, be a vet presence, you know, kind of show these guys how to do it. So hopefully, you know, at some point in time, they can turn the reins over to the guys who can do it better than them. And that's kind of what we're hoping for when we talking about these leaps. Exactly.
Expectations from the Young Core
That's what I was kind of saying, though. I'm for them. It's like, this year, I need those guys to step up in certain moments in order to give these other guys confidence, like, but I also do want to see if Tari or Cam can actually pull up and just kind of prove that they deserve to be in that spot because I think both of those guys should be coming for Dylan Brooks spot to be real. I respect Dylan Brooks a lot. Like, I was one of the people who probably wasn't really, like, tripping when he was brought here, but he kind of is in the way of when we talking about playing time, we talking about, I think Colton was talking about a ten man rotation that, that probably ain't realistic. That probably ain't gonna happen. It's probably not gonna happen, but somebody ain't, somebody's not gonna play, right.
Implications of Roster Decisions
So when you're talking about an eight, nine man rotation throughout the course of the season, you know, one of those ten guys that we mentioned is now gonna play, and Dylan Bricks is kind of one of the people you kind of got your eye on. Like, I'm trying to figure out how to get. I'm in on the court more, I'm trying to figure out how to get Tyree Easton on the court more, I'm trying to figure out, you know, is Cam Whitmore, has he shown enough to where he deserves to supplant, you know, some guys for minutes? So there is kind of a log jam at that forest, but. So it'll be interesting to see how, how you do handles all of that. I think Og was trying to say something. Yeah, I was going to say real quick, I'm not.
Perspective on Roster and Expectations
For me, those guys are so expendable, especially Dylan Brooks. I mean, if Dylan don't act right, Dylan can. Dylan can get on the bench. He can do. I mean, because we don't have a lot invested in him. So what they do or don't do is neither here nor there for me because I think their time is very. It's gonna be very short lived anyway. But as far as things I want to see this year, I mean, I think, needless to say, I'll start out with four, but he gets a clean slate with me. Everybody gets a clean slate. So, I mean, as upset as I was at the end of last year, I'm all that's gone for me. Everybody gets a clean slate. I mean, I think this is when you really look at it, he made second year.
Looking forward to Key Player Developments
However we're going to play, I don't think we saw that last year, and so I think he. I want to see what, I want to see what he brings to the table this year. From an offensive standpoint, I think, I know we're going to get from a defensive standpoint, and I want to see, the next thing for me is I want to see how Sengoon and Jalen play together. I don't think any of us have seen them click at the same time, so I want to see if there's an opportunity for them to click at the same time and then kind of utilizing those other guys, everybody else on the team. Right. But let's. But start now with those two. And if I'm being honest, if I.
Assessing Player Maturity and Focus
If I had to bet, y'all know I bet, but if I was betting on Jalen Green and what I thought his season would look like this year, I think he's going to have a decent year this year. He looks different. His mannerisms look different. I don't know if that's maturity. I don't know if that's, you know, I got a kid now. I'm more focused. I'm locked in. I got a wife. He's not married, but he got a girl, committed girl. I don't know if that has anything to do, but he just looks different. And I think when guys, like I said before, when you get to a certain point, especially when you know, okay, y'all were talking about potential earlier. When you know that your potential is on the clock.
The Importance of Consistency in Performance
Yeah. You, you start to carry yourself a little bit different. So I hope I'm rooting for him. As tough as I've been on him, I'm still rooting for him because he's on my team first. So as long as he, you know, is, and I'm not saying he has to come out here. I've seen some numbers. He has to do this, a, b and c. And all I don't know about that for me is more of just consistency. Right. I mean, for me, it's just, and it doesn't have to equate to 25 points a game. You don't have to do that. If it does, great. But if I know what I can get, a, if I know what I'm gonna get every time I turn the tv on, every time I come to Houston and watch a game, I'm fine with that.
Expectation for Growth and Development
But, you know, and I think a lot of those things are gonna be. I think they're gonna. I don't think you'll see a lot of those immature things that you saw from him last year. I think, I think he'll grow and expound on what he displayed last year for that whole month of March. Now, he didn't finish that. He, the next month wasn't so well, but he still displayed a lot of stuff that we wanted to see. As much as I like Cam, I mean, he one of my favorite players on the team. I just think. I don't. I mean, for me, as much as I love the kid, iq is so heavy for me and for me, what I saw, what I wanted to see, and I know summer league wasn't, it's not a tell off, but it was for me.
Concern Over Commitment and Adaptability
I think he knew what they wanted to see. I think he knew what he should have been working on. And for me, I saw much of the same. So for me, I almost see a guy that's committed to himself, and this is what I do, and this is what I know I can do, and I'm going to do this. As opposed to, what do you need me to do? Okay, I got it. Let me go build on that. Let me go make myself better. So I know he can get a bucket. I just don't know how well he can play with four other guys. And I think that's the biggest thing that I'm trying to see from him, at least from my perspective. So as much as I like him, damn, I don't know if he's going to make it.
Evaluation of Player Dynamics and Future
I kind of get. I'm kind of starting to get the same feeling I had around Jay gut. I liked him a whole lot, but I just felt like he was going to be an odd man out for whatever reason. So that's kind of what, those are the things that I want to. I'm going to be paying attention to. And again, read, I love the kid. I love him, but it's going to be some growing pains. As much as we love him, as much he can stretch the court out. He's still a little bit small, right? He still don't have his man strength yet. He's going to get there. So it's gonna be some growing pains there, but I can't wait to see what that material, what that comes out to be. And then Stephen, just everybody on the Tari east and Steven, everybody else from there.
Excitement for Upcoming Basketball Season
I'm just excited. I ain't been this excited about the basketball group in a while. We really had shit to be excited about, so I'm just excited. I'm looking forward to the season. Can't come soon enough. Yeah, it should be a good one. Hey, OG, just touch on what you said, do you think it matters who's on the floor with Cam Whitmore? Yeah, but I don't think you can start trying to, like. Okay, well, I mean, it all depends on what you think about him. Do I think that who he plays with has a benefit to him? Well, I don't know, to be honest with you, CJ, because IQ is IQ.
Assessing Player Dynamics and IQ
Yeah. He does it with Fred and Shingle on the court, too. Say again? I'll say those. Those same IQ concerns because I agree with a lot of what you said about camp. I think that. I think his IQ concerns are a, like, I think next to Jalen's inconsistency, that is the biggest question I have with this young core. And. But, like, there have been times where he'll be on the court with Fred and Shingoon and, like, I've. I'll see, like, Shingoon or Fred, like, point to the right pass and then camel shoot over two people. So I don't think that. I don't think that the personnel is the reason.
Challenges with Player Development
I think it's mahe just to work on. Yeah. And I think. I think it's so ingrained. Well, just on the surface, the way it looks, I don't know, but I think on the surface, it looks like it's so ingrained in him that he's a bucket and he's, you know, it's almost. He's. He's, like, trained. It's like it's in there. This is what I do. And it's so hard to get that away from or to kind of not necessarily take it away from him, but add to it from a, you know, just playing smarter, making a right basketball play standpoint, then I think it might take more time, and he may. He may have to go to a different team to get a lot of that out of him because he's. We're just not.
Signs of Potential Growth
It doesn't feel like we're on the same timetable. The rockets in him. But see, I feel like he's seen that with Jalen, though. You don't feel like him seeing Jalen sitting on the bench like that was a sign for him, like, oh, I have to learn to do it the right way. I think Jalen and I think Jalen and Cam have two different problems. Yeah, that's. That's what I was going to say. Yeah, there's two different issues like that. That was one of the reasons why, like, when people were saying to replace Jalen with Cam in the start of lineup, as much as Jalen was struggling, Jalen isn't a ball stopper.
Differences in Player Styles
He's not the kind of guy where I have to worry about him taking a shot at the 22nd mark of the shot clock over two people. I don't have to worry about that with Jalen. What cam. I do. And so I think they have two different things they gotta work through. Yeah. And Cam, I mean, as tough as some of those shots, when I say tough, I mean not in difficulty, but in just, you know, looking good. As tough as some of those shots are, I mean, when he makes them, it's almost like, well, damn. It's like, did you want him to make it?
Consequences of Reinforcing Poor Habits
It's reinforcing bad habits. Yes. Now I'm that much further away from doing what I. What you need to do is, which is learning how to play with other people. And a lot of guys, man, they get weeded out of the league because they just never learn how to play with other people. They just don't, for whatever reason. It's just. It's too hard to get it out of them. So I just don't know if we're going to allow him the amount of time it's going to take him to work through the kinks, and I don't know if he's going to be willing to do that. He just seems like the kind of guy to me that's going to be like, man, shit, play me or get me out of here.
Hope for Player Development and Team Dynamics
And I just. And I hope that's not the case. Cause I really like the kid, but I think right now he's in his own way, and I think the timetable might get in the way. I want to clarify that. I hope that Ken Whitmore is on this team moving forward. I think he's an incredibly talented young player, and I think if he figures it out, he's going to be a problem this league. But to what you say, og, if I. If you told me I had. I had to put down a sum of money on which guy from this young core is going to go first, and I can't put it on Jalen.
Concerns About Player Stability
I'd put it on cam. Yeah. He would be my bet. Look, I don't want that. Yeah. I do not want that to happen. Yeah. But I'm just not too. I'm not. Yeah. I think it's a combination of, like, the timeline. Like, I think. I think the issue that he has, he might need some more time to work on it. And then if I would like, for example, the. The Devin Booker thing is probably somewhere gonna hear a lot of this year if, like, Phoenix disappoints. If I'm Phoenix, I probably want Cam Whitmore of the guys who, like, would be available to go.
Possibility of Player Trades
And that's the only way I would be cool with him leaving, is. Yeah, I think. I think the way it likes it, I don't want him to leave. I think if he does leave, I think it would be in the consolidation trait to bring in a big piece. I think whatever team is going to, you know, if we're. If a team is parting ways with, like, a star to come to Houston, I think they'd want Cam whip. I mean, I would want him to, because obviously, I think he can. I think he can be a star in this league.
Assessing the Young Core's Future Potentials
So it's like, with all due respect to guys like Tari and Jabari, those are great NBA players who I think every team is going to want. But I don't think there's stars, per se.
Potential Stars in the Rockets Roster
I think they're, like, really good complimentary pieces to your star I think Cam has the potential to be a star. And so if I was an NBA team out there and I'm like, okay, which of these guys in the Rockets roster do I want? Like, you're obviously not going to get Shingoon. And Jalen breaks out, you're not getting him. I don't think you're getting read or men. So, like, you know, now you're kind of left with. I think it will be camp. I think. I think that's the guy teams are going to look at. Yeah.
Setting Expectations
And one, two other things I want to say real quick now. I said, I'm giving, you know, everybody got a clean slate, but y'all know me. Shit. Don't come on with it if you want to. I'm telling you right now. Yeah, I'm gonna let it be known. So, yeah, Jalen. Yeah, you shit. And I'm not giving nobody till march. Just telling y'all, ain't nobody getting no pass all the way till march to try to figure it out, and I. Don'T think no one should. Yeah. That's not to say two weeks, but, damn, we not waiting all the way to march. But, and then the other thing, I can't leave this dude out. Amen, Thompson. Amen, Thompson. Amen, Thompson. I cannot wait. The goat cannot wait to see that kid play. Cannot wait to see how much better he's gotten. I know he's gotten stronger a year under his belt, man.
Excitement for the Future
I. Man, sky's the limit. Sky's the athlete. And you will never, I'm just telling you right now, you will never, ever hear me talk this high about a kid that can't shoot. At least right now. Right? There's no. I mean, there's no. I'm not saying anything. Anybody doesn't know can't shoot right now, but you'll never hear me talk about a kid that can't shoot in this way. But I'm so high on this guy. He might be, he might be number one. He might behind. I'm so high on Sangoon, but right there after or right before, I don't know where I put him, but I cannot. The potential for that kid and then with his head to go with it. Oh, man, it's. We looking at, we looking at a potential star.
Confidence in Performance
And I would never even say that about a dude that can't shoot. I think he'll figure it out, though. I think he'll figure it out. And even if he doesn't figure it out, this is how confident I am. I know he'll still impact the game in a very, very meaningful way. Very meaningful way. He won't ben Simmons. He'll never be that. He'll never be that. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to the key. I love him. I think he's going to continue to get better. I hope he works out that jump shot. If I had his phone number, I swear I got a dude that could fix it. I got to do that. Fix it, Mandy. I swear.
Young Players and Expectations
Ozzy, let me ask you a question. Of all the young guys who we've had on this team. So I'm not gonna count Reed because he hasn't started rookie season yet, but everybody else their rookie season. Is it fair to say a minute had the best rookie season of. Of all of our young guys? I think I. That's not fair. That's not fair to Jalen. I would argue he had a better rookie season than Jalena. I think that's fair, cuz they didn't. Have the coach that he had his first season. Oh. But I mean, we can give them the buffer. I'm just saying from. From what they actually did.
Analyzing Player Performance
And I mean, I ain't gonna lie. You can say that, bro. Jalen struggled last year, too. We not solid tags and missing open shots, Brad. I was even solid tax only go so far. I could argue something crazy, but I ain't gonna do it. No, I know that kid right there, man. And I think we just. He just grassed the surface, Mandy. He just, he just grasses serve. It's going to be crazy this year. This year is going to be absolutely crazy with him. I'm looking forward to. I know it's going to be. Yeah, it's going to be a great. I guess I'm super excited, man. I ain't been this excited about this team because now I actually have expectations.
Determining Success Factors
I actually have expectations a little bit. But up until this year, we still not ready yet. But now I think everybody's on board from a, from a team standpoint. Everybody's on board. Well, yeah. Let's go now. Let's move. Let's see. And there's no more. There's no more kid gloves. So all that shit's thrown out the window. I love it. Let's go. Let's see. Let's see what we got og to piggyback off of your expectations for the season. Where you see us landing in the. Seating anywhere from six to, I think somewhere between six and eight.
Raising Expectations
I think I will I like what you said to 48? I think I've been. I've been saying that, too. Anywhere from about 46 to 48. And people laugh and they're like, what? No, no, I'm all right. They did that last year, bro. They did that. I gotta raise some standards, man. We in the 50 plus. I would love to see it. I would love to see. That's what I want. But I. Is your 50 with or without a Jalen Green breakout? Gotta be with. I lie without.
Paths to Victory
I think the floor is, like, 47 or 48. That's why I said 48, because I don't. I don't know. I don't know. Like, I mean, like, he feel what he is, like right now. Like, even if he marginally improved, I think we're still gonna be pushing 50 wins because we played at, like, a 46 win pace for basically the entirety of last season. We lost more games than we actually should. Like, we underperformed member January, like, relatively relative to, like, what our net rating was and, like, what our, like, clutch stats and all that stuff where we underperform as a team on top of, like, all the injuries, on top of, like, jalen being bad.
Confident Predictions
So I'm thinking. I'm, like. I'm addressing it from that lens. Like, I don't think we're a 41 win team. I think we're a better than that last year. Well, not even think were statistically better than that. Also, the other month that Jalen was half decent, which is November, bro. Average 21. Oh, 57 through shooting, and were a top three team in the entire league. That's not a coincidence like that. That's literally what the bar is, bruh. If he was, like, half decent, we would have been pushing 50 wins last year. So I'm not.
Challenges Ahead
I think we're pretty firmly going to be a 51 team. Like, I'm very confident that. I'm uberly confident in that we have way too many, like, advanced fat demons on our team. And I know folks gonna, like, laugh at that, but I'm not gonna lie. You don't have that many guys who have, like, high, like. Like, box plus minuses and, like, on off stats and not win, like, a lot of games. So, yeah, I'm very confident enough winning 50 plus games. Just like, I was very confident in us being a 500 or above team last year.
Factors for Success
What would be the reason that we. Don'T reach that mark in european? Isaiah Jalen? That's the easy answer there, because, well, other than injuries, of course, you. Everyone else is, like, already performed either to what they were expected to do or above what they were expected to do. Besides Jalen, the only way we're not touching 50 plus wins is if he's, like, so bad that we, like, dare have to bench him and then we'd have to, like, make a bunch of, like, lineup adjustments behind that. Otherwise, like, yeah, we're gonna touch 50 wins for sure.
Community Engagement
Real quick, I'm gonna do some housekeeping, cuz I know people join later. We will be transitioning this space and maybe about five minutes over to playback and we're going to like, when the Rockets do eventually go live with all of the player interviews and the content starts rolling out, we're going to be kind of reacting to that and watching it together as a family over on there. So the link to join the playback is the pinned link in the jumbotron of the space. You can click on it, that way you can find it there. Hopefully we'll see some of you guys over there when we transition.
Excitement for the Season
Zep, you just pulled up. What's up, man? What's going on, family? How's everybody doing? What's going on, man? All right, cool. Yeah, man. Just excited about the season. Feels like it's been a long off season, but I think that's because our expectations have changed. You guys have set it off like, this team is just like, last year will only go as far as Jalen and Shangoon will take it, but I think that this season, they've got that thick skin, you know, they've got that metal.
Confidence in Young Players
And to me, it feels like. I don't know, I just get the vibe that they're ready. You know, it's not, they're not young anymore. They're not babies in the league. They've seen a lot, they've learned a lot. They've experienced what real coaching looks like. They've experienced what it's like to have expectations and what it's like to carry a team in certain sprints of the season. So I just feel like these dudes are ready to put on the show this year. I think there's going to be a lot of surprise pundits and analysts.
Future Outlook
I think this started to come around a little bit. You can see some of the diehards who look at our roster up and down. They know that we are pretty deep. Tillman said it, but he's a little bit of a wild boy, but there's some truth to what he's saying. Our one through 14 is pretty solid. And one thing you can't plan for in the NBA when it comes to wins and losses is the growth of young players because you don't know, you know, how great or small that growth will be in the upcoming season.
Anticipation for Growth
So I'm going to. I'm going to bet on the higher side. I think guys like Amen are really going to show out this year. I think Jalen. I think Jalen's going to be good this year. I think Jalen's going to start to be mentioned amongst all the other young, you know, borderline superstar, two guards in the league, like, you know, like what's his name, bro out in Minnesota and all these other dudes. Like, I feel like, yeah, and Edwards.
Jalen's Future Potential
Like, Jalen's gonna start to be mentioned in categories with those guys. I really feel like Og said, like, sometimes life has to mature you in order for you to understand how valuable the things you have are. And once you have that recognition, the way that you work towards it changes. And your perspective changes and what's important to you changes. And so you spend less time doing frivolous things and more time focusing on things that are going to not only impact your life, but the life of your loved ones.
Jalen's Responsibility
And Jalen's fighting for a lot of. A lot of heads now in his family, you know what I mean? So he's got some additions to his family and he knows that their legacy is tied to him directly. And I just feel like he's a guy who puts a lot of work into his game. We may not always see it because I don't know how well he deals with pressure, but one thing I do know is that he shows up and he tries hard and he keeps going. He doesn't quit. And I think it's going to come through this year.
Team Chemistry and Dynamics
And I'm really excited to see him and Shingoon really quiet. A lot of that they can't play together crap because we know that they can. We've seen it. We've seen it in stretches. We know that their skill sets complement each other. The coaching staff knows it. And really, it's just a matter of Jalen trusting in himself, trusting in his work and being aggressive. And if he does that, I think he's going to have a good year.
Concluding Thoughts on the Season
So I really feel like this season is going to be a special one. It's going to be the turning point that we've been waiting for. And I'm excited, man. I'm lit. Like, I'm getting ready to pick up my games for the year. You know, I come to Houston at least once or twice every year, so I'm going to do that and then definitely catch them in DC. Already bought the ticket for that game, but yeah, it's gonna be great, man. I'm excited to rock with y'all.
Personal Reflections
Good to hear y'all boy. Boys back on the joint. I think just about everybody that we're used to hearing is still around and doing well. God has been good this all season. Your boy survived chemo. Thank God. I know y'all didn't know sending broadcast it, but I did go through chemo this these past six months, but we are here. God is good. Life goes on. And be thankful for everything you got. For everything you got.
Appreciation and Gratitude
Be thankful. Y'all give thanks to God every single day when you wake up. Because you never know when things will change for the worst. And even when they do change for the worst. Continue to give thanks, and he will always show himself in your life whenever you need him. I promise you. So let's have a great year and enjoy each other's company, man. Let's do it. Go rockets.
Plans for the Future
Let me know when you coming down, man. I'll come down at that game. Absolutely. Will do, will do. All right, I am going to transition everything over to playback right now. The Rockets, they go live with their link, so. Yeah, man, like, my people are here, man. I'd appreciate if y'all, you can still rock with us over there. I'm about to go live on that right now. It's app, website, whatever you want to do to.
The Transition to Playback
To rock out with us, it's over there. And, yeah, I will. I'm gonna leave the space up just a little bit. So y'all, if you're trying to click on that link, you can. All right, it is live now. Sorry, some people already over there. So, yeah, I'll let y'all rock out with that link real quick and then, yeah, we'll get started over there, man. Appreciate for tuning into the space though it.
