The Houston Rockets have surprised many fans this season because few were expecting a rebuilding Rockets side to compete for a playoff spot in a fiercely competitive Western Conference. Their offseason moves for Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks were heavily criticized. However, the Rockets have proven their doubters wrong and have looked like a cohesive unit under new head coach Ime Udoka.

The Rockets’ future also looks promising, with the likes of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., all under the age of 23. While Sengun has become the focal point of Houston’s offense under Udoka, Jalen Green has proven to be an excellent secondary scorer. However, his lack of maturity becomes evident when he opts for contested mid-range jumpers instead of seeking out a wide open teammate.

But having said that, Green is gradually eliminating such inconsistency and immature decision making from his game and his recent performances are proof of that. In his last five games, Green has averaged 29.8 points, including three instances of scoring more than thirty points. Green’s exceptional recent displays have catapulted him into the company of players such as Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Shaquille O’Neal.

Green ranks third on the list of players 21 and under with the most 30 point games with a 70 TS% or higher in NBA History. Only Durant with 19, and LeBron with 18, are ahead of Green’s tally of 17 such games. Jalen Green’s entry into this elite list is quite surprising, not because he isn’t a volume scorer (as he is indeed a prolific scorer), but rather because he hasn’t historically been recognized for consistently efficient scoring.

If Jalen Green continues to develop at such a rapid pace, the Rockets could become a formidable team in the future. However, with Sengun and Green performing at an elite level now, could the Rockets exceed expectations by going on a deep postseason run?

Can the Rockets make some noise in the playoffs?

Even the most optimistic Rockets’ fans weren’t expecting their beloved team to challenge for a playoff spot before the start of the season. However, with the season reaching its halfway stage, the Rockets are right in the thick of an intriguing playoff race in the Western Conference. Despite a recent downturn in results and performances, Houston still has a legitimate opportunity to secure a spot in the playoffs through the play-in tournament.

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Under the leadership of Ime Udoka, the Rockets have become one of the most sound defensive teams in the league. In fact, they possess the 6th best defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 112.7. Furthermore, the Rockets also possess a bevy of talented young players like Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason. While a deep playoff run looks improbable now, the Rockets will be a force to reckon with in the future.

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