Rockets LaunchPod

Jabari Smith Jr. had yet another elite showing in Saturday’s blowout victory over Oklahoma City, which improved Houston’s record to 6-1 on the 2026-27 season.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all of the game’s key storylines, led by strong shooting nights from Smith and Marcus Smart and a return to action for Alperen Sengun.

Tune in here or on YouTube (video version)! A box score and recap is available via NBA.com.

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Led by a brilliant start from Alperen Sengun, the Houston Rockets (4-0) remain unbeaten after the first week of the NBA’s 2026-27 season. That stretch includes a statement victory over the Spurs, the defending Western Conference champions.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder — co-favorites with San Antonio entering the season — are suddenly dealing with two devastating injuries to Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace.

So, are the stars aligning for the Rockets to launch themselves to the top of the West? In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down all the macro and micro storylines related to Houston’s hot start.

The show then winds down with a look at the schedule ahead and how long the Rockets might be able to keep their winning streak going. Tune in!

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In an exclusive SportsTalk 790 interview, Patrick Fertitta — alternate governor of the Rockets — joins Adam Clanton and Adam Wexler (The A-Team) to preview Houston’s upcoming 2026-27 season. As part of the conversation, Fertitta makes the case for why the Rockets could have a “real chance” at title contention in the 2027 NBA playoffs.

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The NBA’s 2026-27 regular season is officially here! As Houston prepares for its home opener on Wednesday, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves offer their perspectives and insight regarding the final roster and what appears to be a challenging opening week versus the Mavericks, Spurs, and Hawks (twice).

The show concludes with a segment predicting the season as a whole, including the Rockets’ final record and Western Conference seed; players in line for individual leaps; and the biggest question(s) or concern(s) for the year to come.

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As the Rockets close out their 2026 preseason slate, what have we learned from this month’s exhibitions? In Thursday’s episode, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the key storylines, led by encouraging showings from Fred VanVleet (returning from an ACL tear) and Tari Eason.

The show also explores a few areas of potential concern, including an uneven start for Amen Thompson and whether Reed Sheppard is likely to get sufficient minutes in his third NBA season.

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Marcus Smart and Jabari Smith Jr. had impressive showings, but the short-handed Rockets didn’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the Mavericks in Sunday’s 132-115 exhibition loss. With that result, Dallas and Houston split their two-game preseason series in China.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all of the game’s key storylines, including the impact of key absences such as Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams.

Other discussion topics include uneven guard play from Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson; the importance of Smart and VanVleet as stabilizing veterans; and signs of offseason growth from Smith and Tari Eason.

Tune in here or on YouTube (video version)! A box score and recap of Sunday’s game is available via NBA.com.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

With 17 points, 7 assists, five 3-pointers, and only one turnover, Fred VanVleet was dynamic in his return from injury as Houston opened its preseason by routing the Dallas Mavericks.

Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key storylines from the 2026 NBA China Games opener. Discussion topics include how the reintegration of VanVleet should make life easier for other Rockets, as well as analysis of big nights for Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and more.

Tune in here or on YouTube (video version)!

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Training camp is now underway for the 2026-27 Rockets, and Houston’s roster appears deeper and better thanks to the offseason addition of Marcus Smart and the healthy returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to on-court activity.

Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday’s show wraps up the first week of camp, with particular emphasis on how Smart will change the team and why Ime Udoka is already declaring that “double big” lineups (featuring Adams and Alperen Sengun) are back on the menu.

Other discussion topics include closing thoughts on Media Day and Amen Thompson’s recent contract extension, as well as early thoughts on Kevin Durant’s contractual status (2027 player option) entering this season.

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In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose (USA TODAY’s Rockets Wire) and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) break down the key takeaways and themes as Houston opens training camp for its 2026-27 season.

Topics include why Fred VanVleet (with a new knee) and Tari Eason (with a new contract) were standouts during Media Day interviews; what to make of blunt comments by All-NBA forward Kevin Durant; and how the offseason signing of Marcus Smart could already be paying dividends.

Additional topics include reaction to commentary by Ime Udoka, Rafael Stone, Steven Adams, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, and more.

If a stream is desired, this episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.

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To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.

Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.

Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.

Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.

Varun Shankar, Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins Ben DuBose to break down the team’s latest developments in its final days before 2026-27 training camp. The discussion begins with reaction to Amen Thompson’s recent contract extension (five years, $208 million) and analysis of what the deal says about the negotiating prowess of GM Rafael Stone.

Other topics include key questions and storylines to watch for at Media Day (Tuesday, September 22) and the opening of training camp (Wednesday, September 23). Discussion topics include the expected returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams; the possibility of a bounce-back season for Tari Eason; and the potential of role adjustments for players throughout the rotation.

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The dog days of the NBA offseason are officially here, so we’re talking over-under lines and looking ahead to the start of training camp in late September.

As part of Tuesday’s episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves offer insights and predictions related to Houston’s over-under betting lines for both regular-season wins (46.5) and Western Conference seed. In an over-under format, the show also explores potential minutes totals and usage for the top nine rotation players on the 2026-27 Rockets.

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Varun Shankar, Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty, and Paulo Alves to analyze and rank Houston’s current stockpile of players and future draft assets. The show also includes insight on the team’s 2026 offseason moves and where various players and draft picks may fit into the larger blueprint for general manager Rafael Stone.

This episode can also be viewed in video form on YouTube.

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.The Rockets entered the NBA’s 2026 offseason with a clear shooting deficiency, and their most important acquisition to try and fix that may not be a player.

In Tuesday’s show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down all the implications of Houston hiring “shot whisperer” Chip Engelland as an assistant coach. Topics include what it means for the current roster and its outlook for next season and beyond, as well as what the investment says about team owner Tilman Fertitta and head coach Ime Udoka.

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