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
December 5, 2025 • 30 mins
The Rockets (15-5) are now No. 2 in the Western Conference standings after Friday’s blowout victory over Dillon Brooks and the Phoenix Suns. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the highlights, including a career milestone for Kevin Durant (31,000 points) and more promising signs from Amen Thompson (game-high 31 points, +33).
This episode can also be viewed in video form here: h...
This episode can also be viewed in video form here: h...
Mark as Played
December 2, 2025 • 27 mins
After routing the Jazz one day earlier, the Rockets fell short on night two of a road back-to-back. For Houston (13-5), Monday’s setback was just its third loss in 16 games.
On the “ClutchFans Live” podcast show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty break down the key storylines, including defensive and rebounding issues that surfaced once Steven Adams (rest) was held out. With injuries and absences piling up, the prospect of more back-to-b...
On the “ClutchFans Live” podcast show, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty break down the key storylines, including defensive and rebounding issues that surfaced once Steven Adams (rest) was held out. With injuries and absences piling up, the prospect of more back-to-b...
Mark as Played
November 30, 2025 • 30 mins
The Rockets closed out November with Sunday’s 129-101 victory at Utah, which gives Houston (13-4) 13 wins in its last 15 games, overall.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Sunday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways. Topics include Kevin Durant’s uber-efficient return; a much-improved defense; and an apparent promotion to the starting lineup for Reed Sheppard.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Sunday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways. Topics include Kevin Durant’s uber-efficient return; a much-improved defense; and an apparent promotion to the starting lineup for Reed Sheppard.
Mark as Played
November 25, 2025 • 25 mins
With All-Star forward Kevin Durant sidelined for personal reasons, Amen Thompson (28 points, 8 assists) picked up the slack in Houston’s 114-92 victory at Phoenix. The Rockets (11-4) have now won 11 of their last 13 contests, overall, while the Suns (11-7) lost for just the second time in 10 games.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Monday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including big nights...
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Monday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including big nights...
Mark as Played
November 24, 2025 • 66 mins
With All-Star forward Kevin Durant missing two games for personal reasons, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is in line for an expanded role with the Rockets (10-4), and potentially even a starting assignment.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Monday’s episode breaks down all the implications of Sheppard’s recent rise. Other topics include insight on Houston’s close loss to Denver; slightly underwhelming efficiency numbers from D...
Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Monday’s episode breaks down all the implications of Sheppard’s recent rise. Other topics include insight on Houston’s close loss to Denver; slightly underwhelming efficiency numbers from D...
Mark as Played
November 19, 2025 • 32 mins
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down Houston’s impressive 114-104 victory at Cleveland. The Rockets (10-3) have won five straight games and 10 of their last 11, overall, and the big story in this one was 26 combined fourth-quarter points from Aaron Holiday (!!!) and Alperen Sengun.
Led by an All-Star duo in Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers (10-6) continue to r...
Led by an All-Star duo in Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers (10-6) continue to r...
Mark as Played
November 17, 2025 • 32 mins
In a “gutsy” overtime victory over Orlando, Houston’s All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun combined for 65 points and several massive buckets in crunch time. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Sunday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways for the surging Rockets (9-3), who have now won nine of their last 10 games, overall.
The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.co...
The episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.co...
Mark as Played
November 15, 2025 • 30 mins
In Friday night’s episode, Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) go live with full postgame reaction after Houston’s 140-116 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Kevin Durant (30 points, +37) and Alperen Sengun (25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, four made 3-pointers) were among the clear standouts.
The Rockets (8-3) have now won eight of their last nine games, overall.
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://w...
The Rockets (8-3) have now won eight of their last nine games, overall.
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://w...
Mark as Played
November 11, 2025 • 79 mins
Featuring hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, our latest full show breaks down the highs and lows of Houston’s 6-3 start to its 2025-26 regular season. Tuesday officially marks three weeks since the NBA’s Oct. 21 opener, and the Rockets — who have won six of their last seven games, overall — are now more than 10% of their way through the season.
The discussion includes grades for all nine rotation players and Rockets head coach Ime Ud...
The discussion includes grades for all nine rotation players and Rockets head coach Ime Ud...
Mark as Played
November 9, 2025 • 33 mins
In Houston’s most impressive win of the 2025-26 season to date, Kevin Durant (31 points, 7 assists) and Alperen Sengun (23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists) were incredible down the stretch as the Rockets stormed back from a 14-point deficit on the road. Houston is now 6-3 on the season, while Milwaukee is 6-4.
In Sunday’s postgame show, Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty break down all the highlights versus Giannis Antetokoun...
In Sunday’s postgame show, Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty break down all the highlights versus Giannis Antetokoun...
Mark as Played
November 8, 2025 • 30 mins
The five-game winning streak for the Rockets (5-3) is now history after Friday’s 121-110 loss to the Spurs (6-2). The in-state rivalry game served as the opener of Emirates NBA Cup 2025 play for both teams.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including how San Antonio crushed Houston off of turnovers (33 points off 23 giveaways) and subpar defensive reboun...
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down all the key takeaways, including how San Antonio crushed Houston off of turnovers (33 points off 23 giveaways) and subpar defensive reboun...
Mark as Played
November 5, 2025 • 33 mins
The Rockets (5-2) have now won five straight games, and Amen Thompson (28 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals) was the big story in their latest win at Memphis. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Wednesday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down what we learned after a dominant showing against the Grizzlies.
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk
This episode can be viewed in video form here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrWXL_SinRk
Mark as Played
November 4, 2025 • 32 mins
In an in-state rivalry matchup, the Rockets shot the ball poorly at home amid a rare off night for Kevin Durant. Yet, thanks to huge games by Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, Houston survived it versus the short-handed Dallas Mavericks (2-5).
For Monday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose recap what we learned at Toyota Center, as well as many of the key takeaways moving forward. The Rockets (4-2) have now...
For Monday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show, Dave Hardisty and Ben DuBose recap what we learned at Toyota Center, as well as many of the key takeaways moving forward. The Rockets (4-2) have now...
Mark as Played
November 1, 2025 • 31 mins
Saturday’s ClutchFans Live postgame show breaks down Houston’s dominant 128-101 victory in Boston. The Rockets (3-2) have now won three straight games, overall, all by a margin of at least 18 points.
Mark as Played
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
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