Can The Rockets Compete Without Fred VanVleet?

After a strong stretch as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets have fallen to the fifth seed as other teams have hit more of their stride as the season has progressed. Houston hit its stride early but is now running into some of the limitations that were expected prior to the season.

The biggest limitation the Rockets are experiencing is a lack of a primary ball handler to make up for Fred VanVleet's absence after suffering a serious injury prior to the season. The Rockets are trying to compete even without such a significant part of their team.

VanVleet's absence has had a significant impact on the Rockets' success so far.

Head Coach Ime Udoka has had to count on Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun to be the team's leading ball handlers while he waits to see if Reed Sheppard or Amen Thompson can develop into that role for the team.

Durant is a great ball handler for his size, but he doesn't consistently take care of the ball when he is expected to take a majority of the on-ball reps. Sengun is the most viable lead playmaker, but he's most effective when he can start his moves closer to the rim and not starting beyond the three-point line as a ball handler.

Sheppard has shown the most promise as a lead guard for the team, becoming more comfortable finding his offense with the ball in his hands. However, his defense isn't at VanVleet's level in terms of gaining leverage from being in the right positions despite their smaller stature.

The second-year guard is also not a great playmaker currently, applying more focus to his scoring as he grows more comfortable on the floor. He isn't a high-volume passer at the moment, and he can't use the pick-and-roll to create for others as efficiently as VanVleet could.

Thompson has a long way to go before he could ever be considered a viable option at lead guard.

He is still a plus player, and one of the team's best players. However, his role requires an ability to take care of the ball and use the threat of his dribble to get to spaces where he can do damage with his own scoring or his playmaking. The only spaces Thompson can do damage are in the paint, and he isn't good enough at ball handling to get into the paint at will.

VanVleet showed how proficient he is at enhancing his teammates' strengths, and he would be able to continue doing so when he can finally rejoin the team. Since his return won't happen this season, the Rockets may struggle being able to compete at the highest levels without someone filling that important role.

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