SportSpyder - The Latest Houston Rockets News

28 March 2025

• [Last Word on Sports] - Taylor Jenkins Out of Memphis – Who Steps In?
  The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the entire league by firing their head coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games left in the season. Two years ago, the Grizzlies were the up-and-coming team. Last year, injuries and suspension to derailed their season. This year, they are back among the top teams in the crowded Western Conference, performing at a high level. So what more does the team want? Taylor Jenkins Out of Memphis – Who Steps In? Jenkins leaves the team as the Grizzlies are sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference, despite their franchise player, Morant, playing only 43 games so far. The Grizzlies issued the following , saying, “I'm genuinely appreciative of Taylor's contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons. This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor's leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward." Jenkins served as the head coach of the team since the 2019-20 season. That was the same season Ja was named Rookie of the Year. During his tenure, the team made the playoffs three times, losing in the first round twice, and making the Conference Semi-Finals once. They won 50+ games two times. After last season, the Grizzlies changed almost his entire coaching staff. Who will step in right now? The Grizzlies do not have a long-standing assistant coach on the bench who can make a seamless transition. Did the Grizzlies Outdo the Bucks? Firing a coach three weeks might be one of the worst decisions a franchise can make. It looks like the Memphis Grizzlies looked at the Milwaukee Bucks from last year, and said, “Hold my beer”. The Bucks fired Adrian Griffin who won nearly 70% of their games and was at the time. The Bucks were in second place in the Eastern Conference, and afterward, their season went down. Truth be told, a winning coach doesn’t get fired for no reason just a few weeks before the playoffs. The Bucks fired Griffin after his worsened relationship with star player and that was months before the playoffs. Who Can Take Over? When you fire a coach three weeks before the playoffs, perhaps you have a quality candidate to step in besides promoting an assistant. Even if they promote an assistant for the rest of the season Memphis could be eyeing an experienced head coach in the summer. The Grizzlies are in the fifth spot in the Western Conference, with hopes of being among the biggest contenders. They want to go , and for that, they could need a veteran coach. The first name that comes to mind is Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year winner. He is a strong candidate for any team. A defensive-minded coach, he can bolster ’s . He has served as an assistant during the Golden State Warriors championships in 2017, 2018, and 2022. The only thing that can stop him is he signed a three-year extension with the Kings before being fired, so he might not be rushing to get back to the sidelines. Frank Vogel is another defensive coach who is available on the market. He won a championship with the Lakers but didn’t have any success in Phoenix last year. His leadership amongst veterans has been questioned, namely in Phoenix. If the Grizzlies want an offensive coach, Mike D’Antoni is a name that they can try. He is the oldest on this list, and his most memorable coaching stint was with the Houston Rockets. But he hasn’t enjoyed any success since. An unconventional candidate might be Chris Quinn, a former assistant coach with the Miami Heat. During his time in Miami, the team has finished with an above .500 record in eight of ten seasons. A former point guard, he has the knowledge, experience, and relationships with players. He is also a former Spurs player, a huge selling point for coaches lately. Photo credit: © Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .
• [USA Today: Rockets Wire] - Ime Udoka explains his evolution on zone defense, and why the Rockets are using it more
  Ime Udoka on playing more zone defense: “My thing is, let's get great at what we want to do, first. Obviously, we've implemented it this year.”
• [Fansided: Space City Scoop] - Rockets predicted to give Fred VanVleet a contract they simply can't afford
  The Houston Rockets should not regret signing Fred VanVleet. If one media outlet's prediction for his next deal is true, that could change this summer.
• [Sports Illustrated] - Los Angeles Lakers Game Is Key For Houston Rockets
  The Houston Rockets are currently on a three-game road trip, which continues on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns and concludes the following night against the Lo
• [Last Word on Sports] - Rockets Cornerstone’s Latest Feat Hall Of Fame Level
  During the Houston Rockets takedown of the Utah Jazz, fans that were watching the broadcast may have noticed a brow-raising graphic. The focal point? Rockets’ Jalen Green Joins Hall Of Famers With Latest Feat Rockets young cornerstone , who signed last offseason. The second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Green is now the sixth youngest player (23 years, 46 days) to record 6,000+ points, 1,200+ rebounds, and 1,000+ assists since 1976-77. This is ridiculous company for Jalen Green. 6th youngest player since the Merger to join this group. — Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) Among the eight players listed, two have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame: (22 years, 205 days) and (22 years, 320 days). The five remaining players are all active. Los Angeles Lakers teammates (21 years, 89 days) and Milwaukee Bucks leader (23 years, 54 years) already have foolproof Hall of Fame cases. Lakers point guard (22 years, 335 days), Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard (22 years, 177 days), and Phoenix Suns shooting guard (23 years, 132 days) may not be shoo-ins for that honor yet but they’re on the right trajectory. That said, Green’s resume isn’t on their level. Jalen Green’s Resume Green was selected for the All-Rookie first team, which can’t be downplayed. In a class that included Rockets teammate , Detroit Pistons point guard , Cleveland Cavaliers big man , Toronto Raptors point-forward , and Orlando Magic wing , he could have easily missed the cut. Like him, each of the aforementioned players are regarded as star-caliber building blocks for their respective teams. As a rookie, he was invited to the 2022 Slam Dunk Contest. He was selected to participate in the Rising Stars game as a sophomore. Green has yet to participate in All-Star Weekend as an actual All-Star though. As he’s in just his fourth season, that isn’t necessarily problematic. Nevertheless, until he does, there cant’ be a discussion about much else. Tectonic Plates A superior athlete, Green could probably play for another 15 years, especially if he stays healthy. As he gets closer to his mid-to-late 20s, the theoretical prime of a player’s career, he could start racking up the accolades. To that point, there are several players that could retire or decline within the next five years. James, Suns forward , and Golden State Warriors guard are the first players that come to mind. The three Olympians —Zeus, Poseidon, and Apollo —have been peppered with questions about . Los Angeles Clippers guard , 35, is another perennial All-Star who could retire by that time. Dallas Mavericks guard (33) and Philadelphia 76ers center (31) are among those whose play could begin to decline due to age and injury. That much shift in the NBA landscape could certainly benefit Green. Upward Trajectory With Rockets head coach Ime Udoka pushing him, Green is reading the floor better, making his presence felt defensively, and committed to crashing the glass. There’s still a little too much variance in his shot-making, likely due to his shot difficulty. All the same, his stats and his tape are that of a high-quality player. In 2024-25, Green’s averaging a career-high and team-high 21.5 points per game. He's also averaging a career-high in rebounds (4.7) and steals per game (0.9). Speaking of his defense, he's holding opponents to on isos. For the third consecutive season, he's averaged at least three assists per game. We'll stop there. But just think, he's only scratching the surface of his potential.. © Rob Gray-Imagn Images The post appeared first on .
• [Fadeaway World] - Houston Rockets Make Big Splash By Acquiring Giannis Antetokoumpo In Blockbuster Mock Trade
  The Houston Rockets can launch themselves into immediate contention if they make this massive trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
• [USA Today: Rockets Wire] - Rockets 121, Jazz 110: Amen Thompson (+17) makes clear impact in return from ankle injury
  In Thursday’s win at Utah, Rockets forward Amen Thompson returned from his brief injury absence and made a clear impact (+17) in his 28 minutes.
• [Chron] - Houston Rockets Stax
  ... . . . . AVG 3-Pnt. Player G MIN FGM-FGA PCT FGM-FGA FTM-FTA PCT PTS AVG Ja.Green 74 33.6 563-1325 .425 217-621 247-303 .815 ..
• [Sports Illustrated] - The Rockets Avoid a Letdown Against the Jazz
  The Houston Rockets have now won 11 of their last 12 games, hitting another gear in the late stages of the season. The young stars have stepped up for the team
• [Fansided: Space City Scoop] - Rockets dominate in key statistical area in win vs Jazz
  The Houston Rockets tend to dominate opponents in one area. Their last contest against the Jazz was no exception.