Ime Udoka said the Rockets “need” Reed Sheppard and his time is “right now” “I think Reed addresses some of the same things that Fred does…this guy is ready. I think it's his time right now. We're gonna need him. He's gonna get even better the more he plays regular minutes."

An Ime Udoka-coached team has never finished worse than .500, dating back to 2012 when he first started as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs Udoka may not have the resume yet, but he’s a proven winner 👏

ESPN's Timothy Legler thinks Houston doesn't need to replace Fred VanVleet "Do you really need that quintessential lead guard like a guy like Fred VanVleet? I look at a team like Boston. In Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, neither one of those guys is really a traditional lead guard."

Reed Sheppard was cited as a "hinge guy" and potential difference-maker for the Rockets this season, according to John Hollinger's new article "On paper, Sheppard’s skill set is exactly what the Rockets need, and he should get more rope this season. But they can’t wait for him."

If Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard take the next step, there's no reason why the Rockets can't win the NBA Finals this year

The Rockets gained the second most roster value this offseason in WAR, according to ESPN’s latest article Houston gained +12.6 in WAR, headlined by Kevin Durant’s +7.1, while losing 7.5 mainly in the KD trade It’s worth noting that the loss of Fred VanVleet is a -6.3 WAR loss

Ime Udoka said the Rockets have "four guys penciled in" to the starting lineup and will "figure out what to do with the fifth," per Lachard Binkley Who would you want to see as Houston's fifth starter? Tari Eason? Reed Sheppard? Or Steven Adams?

Houston are fourth in BR’s latest NBA power rankings “This team is uniquely built to survive (Fred VanVleet’s) absence. It might even make the roster better in the long run…Amen Thompson and/or Reed Sheppard will now get a lot more developmental reps as the primary creator.”

Jake LaRavia said Steven Adams used to “walk around the facility barefoot with steaks in his hand” when they were teammates 😭 (Video via TheYoungManAndTheThree)

Amen Thompson's increased workload could stop him from winning DPOY, per Sam Quinn "He just has more on his plate now...I expect his offensive workload to increase pretty meaningfully, and for the Rockets to compensate by finding ways to limit Thompson's defensive workload. "

Kevin Durant won’t sign an extension in Houston, BR’s Andy Bailey thinks "That should have the Rockets thinking more long-term, and such an extension for a 37-year-old with an injury history as robust as Durant's may not make a ton of long-term sense.” Interesting take…

Dorian Finney-Smith will be out for Houston's preseason opener tonight as he continues to rehab his ankle from offseason surgery, per Danielle Lerner Tari Eason and Steven Adams will play tonight, but will both sit out Wednesday's game against Utah for injury management

Reed Sheppard is starting tonight in Houston’s preseason opener, per Kelly Iko COCAINE CURRY TIME 🔥

Kevin Durant will not play tonight, but will suit up for his preseason Rockets debut on Wednesday, per Kelly Iko

Jabari Smith Jr just ended Onyeka Okongwu

ALPEREN SENGUN AT THE HALF: 🇹🇷 19 PTS 🇹🇷 5 AST 🇹🇷 4 REB 🇹🇷 2 BLK 🇹🇷 2 3PM alpi is locked in

JD DAVISON TONIGHT: 🚀 17 PTS 🚀 5 3PM 🚀 4 AST 🚀 3 REB 🚀 +13 BIG game for JD tonight

People are still sleeping on Alperen Sengun 💤

Alperen Sengun on his strong preseason performance last night: “I just feel stronger. My age is getting high now and I feel my bones and everything. I feel stronger and I don’t know, I will say faster. I will always feel faster with the ball. Off the ball, you know what it is.”

"If Reed Sheppard is struggling, I guarantee you they're going to make a move to get a point guard.” -Timothy Legler on Houston’s guard depth if Reed Sheppars struggles (Video via ALL NBA Podcast)