Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green. Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Mix of young and veteran talent fueling Rockets' surprising hot start

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 19, 2024 1:52 PM ET

There have been several surprises just under a month into the NBA season.

The Cavaliers have gone on a 15-0 run to begin the year; the Warriors look like they haven't missed a beat without Klay Thompson, and the Philadelphia 76ers have the worst record in the NBA, to name a few.

Another surprise has been the 10-5 Houston Rockets.

Houston has gotten off to its best 15-game start since the 2019-20 season when it started 11-4.

The Rockets have built their identity around playing excellent defense and rebounding the basketball. Houston is first in the NBA in rebounds per game (50.9) and third in points per game allowed (105.2)

Best team no one's talking about...

Last 11 games
9-2, one of the losses in OT.
+9.7 scoring margin
#1 defensive FG%

NBA's 5th best record
3rd in the NBA in Defense
5th in the NBA in Net Rating

The Houston Rockets... pic.twitter.com/s0bGT2tS4s
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) November 18, 2024

The Rockets have a great mix of young and veteran players who have begun to pan out well.

Jalen Green, 22, is the Rockets' leader in points per game with 19.7, and Alperen Sengun, also 22, leads Houston in rebounds (11.1) and blocks (1.4).

Green is among the most electric players in the NBA and is known to show off his athleticism with high-flying dunks.

JALEN. GREEN.pic.twitter.com/g7IWtvet6b
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) March 9, 2024

The Rockets have surrounded its young players with veterans such as Dillon Brooks and former NBA champion Fred VanVleet.

Brooks and VanVleet both came to Houston before the 2023-24 campaign, and they both fit the bill of defensive-minded players who can lead this young core that Houston has built.

Best defensive rating among duos this season (min. 100 minutes played together):

87.6 - Dillon Brooks/Amen Thompson
89.2 - Grant Williams/Moussa Diabate
89.2 - Isaiah Joe/Casson Wallace
89.9 - Jalen Williams/Ajay Mitchell
90.6 - Cody Martin/Brandon Miller pic.twitter.com/BEVYroJ102
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) November 19, 2024

The Rockets' one concern is their ability to score. They are near the bottom of the league in three-point percentage (32.4) and middle of the pack in points per game (113.6).

If Houston can add more production from the three-point line and continue producing on the defensive end of the floor, the Rockets could be a fun team to watch throughout the season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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