Rockets LaunchPod
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2025-26 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 2025 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
Episodes
October 29, 2025 • 31 mins
With Wednesday’s 139-121 victory at Toronto, the Rockets (2-2) secured their first winning streak of the 2025-26 campaign and are now NBA’s most efficient offense of the young season.
Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty, the “ClutchFans Live” show recaps all the key storylines. Topics include big scoring nights from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr.; a dominant rebounding performance, led by interior strength from S...
Featuring Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty, the “ClutchFans Live” show recaps all the key storylines. Topics include big scoring nights from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr.; a dominant rebounding performance, led by interior strength from S...
Mark as Played
October 28, 2025 • 25 mins
The Rockets (1-2) secured their first win of the 2025-26 season with a home blowout of the Brooklyn Nets. With Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose as hosts, Monday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show explores all the key storylines.
Topics include Tari Eason’s career shooting night; promising signs from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard at point guard; and Ime Udoka’s decision to start Josh Okogie in place of Steven Adams.
The episode can be view...
Topics include Tari Eason’s career shooting night; promising signs from Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard at point guard; and Ime Udoka’s decision to start Josh Okogie in place of Steven Adams.
The episode can be view...
Mark as Played
October 23, 2025 • 42 mins
In a roundtable conversation, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose sit down with Gretchen Sheirr, president of business operations with the Rockets, to discuss the opening of the 2025–26 NBA season.
As part of the interview, Sheirr shares insights on the state of the franchise; what fans can expect from the Toyota Center experience, and the new promotions and initiatives designed to bring fans closer to the team.
Discussion topics include th...
As part of the interview, Sheirr shares insights on the state of the franchise; what fans can expect from the Toyota Center experience, and the new promotions and initiatives designed to bring fans closer to the team.
Discussion topics include th...
Mark as Played
October 22, 2025 • 30 mins
All-Star center Alperen Sengun was fantastic with a game-high 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it wasn’t quite enough in Houston’s heartbreaking 125-124 road loss to the defending NBA champion Thunder. As a fitting opener to the 2025-26 regular season, Tuesday’s matchup between Western Conference heavyweights wasn’t decided until the final seconds of a second overtime in Oklahoma City.
Tuesday’s ClutchFans Live postgame sh...
Tuesday’s ClutchFans Live postgame sh...
Mark as Played
October 21, 2025 • 34 mins
Monday’s ClutchFans live stream features reaction from Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose to the relatively surprising news of the Rockets and Tari Eason not being able to agree on a contract extension prior to the rookie-scale deadline. Where does Houston go from here? Let’s discuss.
This episode is available in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMwKKKv9mvk
This episode is available in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMwKKKv9mvk
Mark as Played
October 19, 2025 • 50 mins
With analysis from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Sunday’s show reacts to the news of Kevin Durant extending his Houston contract for two additional years (and $90 million), as well as insight on whether Tari Eason is the next Rockets player in line for an extension.
The episode also looks ahead to Tuesday’s regular-season opener at Oklahoma City and breaks down whether Reed Sheppard or Steven Adams is most likely to be the fifth start...
The episode also looks ahead to Tuesday’s regular-season opener at Oklahoma City and breaks down whether Reed Sheppard or Steven Adams is most likely to be the fifth start...
Mark as Played
October 16, 2025 • 34 mins
The Rockets finished out a perfect preseason (4-0) with Thursday’s 133-115 victory at Atlanta, in which second-year guard Reed Sheppard (29 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks) stuffed the stat sheet. Our Houston-based postgame show, featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, offers immediate reaction — along with insight on the upcoming contract-extension deadline for Tari Eason.
The episode can be viewed in video form h...
The episode can be viewed in video form h...
Mark as Played
October 15, 2025 • 31 mins
Tuesday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show features reaction from Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty to Houston’s 130-128 exhibition victory over New Orleans. The Rockets are now 3-0 in preseason play.
Topics include a big night for Jabari Smith Jr.; the implications of starting a “double big” lineup with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams; and whether defensive concerns are warranted.
The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www....
Topics include a big night for Jabari Smith Jr.; the implications of starting a “double big” lineup with Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams; and whether defensive concerns are warranted.
The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www....
Mark as Played
October 10, 2025 • 59 mins
Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday’s episode features reaction to Houston’s 2-0 start to preseason play. Topics include strong showings from the likes of Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr., as well as early indications that the Rockets’ identity this season might be more driven by their offense.
With a focus on player evaluations, the show concludes with a look at Ime Udoka’s end-of-the-rotat...
With a focus on player evaluations, the show concludes with a look at Ime Udoka’s end-of-the-rotat...
Mark as Played
October 9, 2025 • 33 mins
As part of a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston’s 140-127 victory over Utah on Wednesday night. The Rockets are now 2-0 in preseason play.
Topics include an electric Rockets debut for Kevin Durant, who had 20 points (70% FG) on elite efficiency in only 23 minutes. The discussion also hits on Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, who all showed promising signs — p...
Topics include an electric Rockets debut for Kevin Durant, who had 20 points (70% FG) on elite efficiency in only 23 minutes. The discussion also hits on Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard, who all showed promising signs — p...
Mark as Played
October 7, 2025 • 29 mins
In a “ClutchFans Live” postgame show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty recap Houston’s victory over Atlanta to open the 2025-26 preseason. Topics include strong performances by Alperen Sengun and JD Davison, as well as a somewhat underwhelming showing by Reed Sheppard as the starting point guard. The episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb8ImorC0To
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb8ImorC0To
Mark as Played
September 22, 2025 • 69 mins
Monday’s emergency podcast features a roundtable forum of Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (@ClutchFans) reacting to Fred VanVleet’s potentially season ending ACL tear. Topics include the Rockets’ internal and external options to fill his role at point guard, as well as why the shocking news isn’t necessarily the end of Houston’s 2026 championship hopes.
Mark as Played
September 19, 2025 • 75 mins
Per head coach Ime Udoka, Houston will have an open competition at training camp for its fifth and final spot in the starting lineup. Friday’s show features reaction from our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the news, including a look at the pros and cons of Jabari Smith Jr., Dorian Finney-Smith, Steven Adams, and Tari Eason in that role.
The episode also explores potential strategies to optimize each unit of the playing rotation, alon...
The episode also explores potential strategies to optimize each unit of the playing rotation, alon...
Mark as Played
August 27, 2025 • 72 mins
Wednesday’sepisode breaks down the ongoing contract extension negotiations between the Rockets and fourth-year forward Tari Eason, including new reasons for optimism and projections on what a deal might look like. The deadline for rookie-scale extensions comes prior to the NBA’s October 21 regular-season opener, so negotiations between Eason and Houston executives will be active over the coming days and weeks.
Mark as Played
August 15, 2025 • 74 mins
Friday’s show with Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves features reaction to Houston’s newly released schedule for the 2025-26 NBA season, as well as recent rumors regarding Kevin Durant’s next contract and why it might not be finalized this offseason.
Mark as Played
July 28, 2025 • 64 mins
With the NBA’s 2025 summer league in the books and the Rockets giving what will likely be their final standard contract to defensive wing Josh Okogie, Houston appears set to enter the 2025-26 season with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard as its primary ball-handlers and play initiators among rotation players.
After a brief but underwhelming stint in Las Vegas, Tuesday’s show explores whether Sheppard is up for the poin...
After a brief but underwhelming stint in Las Vegas, Tuesday’s show explores whether Sheppard is up for the poin...
Mark as Played
July 11, 2025 • 72 mins
Friday’s episode features reaction to the Rockets trading Cam Whitmore to Washington and a preview of Houston’s upcoming summer-league games in Las Vegas (where second-year guard Reed Sheppard will be a clear focal point).
The show also recaps recent interview comments by general manager Rafael Stone and shows why he’s probably correct in his belief that the remainder of the 2025 offseason will be quiet.
The show also recaps recent interview comments by general manager Rafael Stone and shows why he’s probably correct in his belief that the remainder of the 2025 offseason will be quiet.
Mark as Played
July 2, 2025 • 84 mins
With marquee external additions such as Kevin Durant, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Clint Capela, along with efficient contract extensions for key personnel such as Jabari Smith Jr., Fred VanVleet, and Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets have turned heads throughout the NBA with their 2025 offseason. According to oddsmakers, they’re now among the leading championship contenders for the 2026 NBA Finals.
In Wednesday’s episode (sponsored by Kar...
In Wednesday’s episode (sponsored by Kar...
Mark as Played
July 1, 2025 • 12 mins
In a phone segment on Tuesday’s The Sean Salisbury Show (SportsTalk 790), our Ben DuBose offers insight on Houston’s rapid free agency agreements with Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela.
Other topics include what weaknesses the Rockets still have, if any; whether general manager Rafael Stone might pursue another All-Star acquisition to pair with Kevin Durant; and perspective on why Cam Whitmore appears to be a trade candidate.
Other topics include what weaknesses the Rockets still have, if any; whether general manager Rafael Stone might pursue another All-Star acquisition to pair with Kevin Durant; and perspective on why Cam Whitmore appears to be a trade candidate.
Mark as Played
June 30, 2025 • 45 mins
As free agency negotiations officially begin around the NBA, the Rockets are continuing a busy offseason. With Kevin Durant already in the fold, Houston has recently agreed to new contracts with Jabari Smith Jr. and Fred VanVleet, and there are rumors that Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith could be an attainable target during the opening days of 2025 free agency.
Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday’s episode explores all the vario...
Sponsored by Karbach Brewing, Monday’s episode explores all the vario...
Mark as Played
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