Rockets LaunchPod
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2026-27 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the performance of star players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun; potential transactions in 2026 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
Episodes
October 15, 2026 • 43 mins
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...
The show also explores a few areas of potential concern, including an uneven start for Amen Thompson and whether Reed Sheppard is likely...
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Mark as Played
October 11, 2026 • 31 mins
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, inclu...
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all of the game’s key storylines, inclu...
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Mark as Played
October 9, 2026 • 38 mins
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 ...
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 ...
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Mark as Played
September 25, 2026 • 59 mins
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 th...
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 th...
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Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 53 mins
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 Ma...
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 Ma...
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Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 16 mins
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.
...
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.
...
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Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 17 mins
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.
...
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.
...
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Watch
Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 22 mins
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.
...
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.
...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 14 mins
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.
...
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.
...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 18 mins
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.
...
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.
...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 25 mins
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.
...
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.
...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
September 23, 2026 • 13 mins
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.
...
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.
...
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Watch
Mark as Played
September 17, 2026 • 70 mins
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 s...
Other topics include key questions and s...
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Mark as Played
August 25, 2026 • 74 mins
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 pot...
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 pot...
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Mark as Played
August 12, 2026 • 79 mins
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...
This episode can also be viewed in video form...
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Mark as Played
July 28, 2026 • 56 mins
.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,...
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,...
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Mark as Played
July 16, 2026 • 71 mins
The Rockets are off to a 3-1 start at summer league, and Bruce Thornton and Isaiah Crawford are each showing promising signs for an NBA future.
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (Editor of ClutchFans) share key takeaways from Las Vegas while also looking ahead to the remainder of the 2026 offseason. If Thornton and Marcus Smart prove to be Houston’s flagship external additions, i...
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (Editor of ClutchFans) share key takeaways from Las Vegas while also looking ahead to the remainder of the 2026 offseason. If Thornton and Marcus Smart prove to be Houston’s flagship external additions, i...
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Mark as Played
July 8, 2026 • 80 mins
The Rockets opened 2026 free agency with a series of moves, including the external signings of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic; the re-signing of restricted free agent Tari Eason; and the departures of Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie.
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments in Houston, including what appears to be a strategy to dip below the NBA’s luxury tax...
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments in Houston, including what appears to be a strategy to dip below the NBA’s luxury tax...
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Mark as Played
July 1, 2026 • 38 mins
The NBA’s 2026 free agency window is now open for business, and the Rockets quickly reached agreements to sign both Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović. In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose reviews the basketball and salary cap implications of both deals while also exploring the implications for the remainder of Houston’s roster and the rest of the offseason.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscr...
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscr...
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Mark as Played
June 30, 2026 • 64 mins
As the NBA’s 2026 free agency window opens, the Houston Rockets suddenly find themselves with more veteran insurance in the backcourt. Fred VanVleet officially opted into the final year of his previous contract, while Lakers guard Marcus Smart looks to be on the way as an external addition.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Tuesday’s show breaks down all the key implications of those moves while also providin...
Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Tuesday’s show breaks down all the key implications of those moves while also providin...
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Mark as Played
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