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 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
June 25, 2025 • 23 mins
Wednesday’s show features immediate reaction to Fred VanVleet’s cheaper-than-expected contract to re-sign for two years and $50 million (player option on the second season). Topics include what VanVleet’s new deal could mean in terms of increased spending power for the 2025 offseason, as well as more uncertainty regarding the future role of Cam Whitmore in Houston.
Mark as Played
June 22, 2025 • 54 mins
Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Sunday’s show features immediate reaction to the blockbuster NBA trade sending All-Star forward Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets!
Topics include why the outgoing compensation (Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall draft pick in 2025) is reasonable for Houston; what Durant choosing the Rockets says about the franchise; and how the remainder of the offseason cou...
Topics include why the outgoing compensation (Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and the No. 10 overall draft pick in 2025) is reasonable for Houston; what Durant choosing the Rockets says about the franchise; and how the remainder of the offseason cou...
Mark as Played
June 14, 2025 • 20 mins
The Rockets agreed Saturday to extend the contract of veteran center Steven Adams for three years and $39 million. Our rapid reaction podcast explores motivations for the deal and its implications, both for next season’s rotation and the potential of larger deals this offseason.
Mark as Played
June 14, 2025 • 49 mins
With trade talks surrounding the Phoenix Suns and All-Star forward Kevin Durant potentially entering the closing stage, it appears Houston remains among the top suitors. Saturday’s podcast explores the landscape and the price points at which it makes sense for the Rockets to get a deal done (or walk away).
Mark as Played
June 10, 2025 • 34 mins
When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude in a few days, teams across the league will be able to exclusively negotiate with their own pending free agents. With the Rockets, that includes names such as Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday, and Jae’Sean Tate.
So, with Houston’s payroll on the rise, what internal deals are likely to make basketball and business sense? Tuesday’s podcast explores the parameters, including why n...
So, with Houston’s payroll on the rise, what internal deals are likely to make basketball and business sense? Tuesday’s podcast explores the parameters, including why n...
Mark as Played
June 4, 2025 • 42 mins
Wednesday’s episode features reaction and insight from our Ben DuBose to a handful of recent NBA rumors connected to the Rockets. Those include the New York Knicks’ reported interest in Ime Udoka as head coach; a potential Kevin Durant trade with the Phoenix Suns perhaps getting closer; and free agent Brook Lopez becoming a potential backup plan for Houston, should Steven Adams choose to sign elsewhere.
Mark as Played
June 2, 2025 • 34 mins
The Rockets remain a rumored trade suitor for Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, but there hasn’t been much new intel since the NBA’s May 12 draft lottery. With that in mind, Monday’s show explores what Houston’s criteria for any external deal is likely to be in the weeks leading up to the June 25 draft and the June 30 opening of free agency.
Mark as Played
May 13, 2025 • 44 mins
The 2025 NBA draft lottery was an all-time shocker, and not in a good way for the Rockets. Despite entering with very low odds of moving up, divisional rivals Dallas and San Antonio are now slotted to pick at No. 1 and No. 2, where Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Rutgers’ Dylan Harper are considered the consensus top prospects. Houston will pick at No. 10 in the first round.
In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate impl...
In Tuesday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to all the immediate impl...
Mark as Played
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