Why The Rockets Are The NBA’s Most Dangerous Team [Video Essay]
The Houston Rockets are about to shock the NBA. No superstars. No elite three-point shooting. And yet—heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs—they’re the #2 seed in the Western Conference. How?
In this Hot Hand Theory video essay, we break down how the Houston Rockets’ unconventional, analytics-driven strategy is disrupting the modern NBA. From Alperen Sengun’s rise as a two-way centerpiece, to Amen Thompson’s elite defense and athleticism, to Ime Udoka’s culture-setting leadership, the Rockets are proving that winning basketball doesn’t have to follow the rules.
They lead the NBA in offensive rebound rate, dominate the possession battle, and boast one of the league’s best defenses—without relying on high-volume threes or isolation-heavy stars. It’s gritty, efficient basketball rooted in advanced stats, smart matchup exploitation, and a system-first mentality.
Watch as we dive into:
♦️ The math behind Houston’s top-10 offense despite below-average shooting
♦️ How their defense forces low-efficiency shots at every level
♦️ Why Ime Udoka is the mastermind behind this playoff-ready identity
♦️ What makes the Rockets the most dangerous underdog in the NBA Playoffs
If you’re a fan of NBA strategy, basketball analytics, or just want to understand why no team wants to face the Rockets, this breakdown is for you.
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💬 Drop a comment: Can Houston make a deep playoff run without a superstar? We reply to every comment—agree or disagree.
#HoustonRockets #NBAPlayoffs2025 #NBAAnalytics #AlperenSengun #AmenThompson #ImeUdoka #NBADefense #NBAVideoEssay
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Timestamps:
0:00 | Intro
0:46 | Dominating the possession battle
2:29 | The Rockets’ ELITE defense
3:37 | Alperen Sengun defines the Rockets’ approach
4:57 | Amen Thompson’s leap
5:45 | Depth and versatility around Sengun
7:13 | Analytics reinterpreted
8:07 | The Ime Udoka effect
8:59 | Built for the playoffs?
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40 Comments
Calling Green complementary to Sengun is unhinged.
This is why on/off analytical approach to basketball and not actually watching games can create these off base narratives.
Green is not a isolation scorer. These are basic facts about this team. He's the Rockets primary pnr ball handler.
As can be seen by him leading the team by far in pnr primary ball handler possessions and having the highest PPP on those possessions.
Also according to bball index and synergy Green has the fourth most overall gravity in the league.
He is probably game planned the most by opposing defenses. Often face guarding him even off ball
Awesome video
their depth is indeed their one of the biggest strength and most of the team team can switch positions if it is necessary and adapt very well in those situations. Amen can play as 2-3-4, Alpi as 4-5, Eason as 3-4, Bari as 3-4-5 their adaptability for different situations makes them very dangerous also. u miss shots?thats ok they have good rebounders, or they can penetrate with Thompson- JG or they give Alpi the ball let him get double teamed and pass the assist. they can make very versatile plays depends on situations
sengun👍
Jalen Green is still being severely underrated. People only focus on his scoring, and efficiency. And ignore how critical he has been for the rockets success. His control of the game and gravity has been even more important than Alpi's this season. The two of them are becoming one of the best duos in the league. And amen and jabari are excellent complementary players to them. Those four have very good synergy, and all contribute beyond the numbers.
https://youtube.com/shorts/1iLmB6wC2Gg?si=eqb2N7a64udV7mIX New song Go Rockets!
Amazing video 👏
OKC vs Houston in a potential Western Conference finals will be epic with elite tactical coaching and adjustments from both teams with their players showing out during the postseason, I'm so hyped for the playoffs even tho I'm a Knicks fan.
Jalen is still getting slept on, got damn 😂. I’m just praying he goes crazy these playoffs
Like I say, Houston is playing European Basketball
Great Video guys!
Rockets play according to whatever is needed. Every night it could be a complety dif leader on off and everybody on defense. Udoka and staff are experts on matchups and iq
Sengun BEAST
Amazing video❤
subbed
Jalen Green has become a consistent scoring threat, Thompson has become a lockdown Defender & Sengun may be the 2nd best Center in the League!! And the veteran presence of VanVleet & D-Brooks has essential!! I think they have enough talent to make it deep into the Playoffs. 🚀🚀🚀🚀
Because of Şengün
Honestly this team is a championship team it’s just not a traditional 2020s championship winning team it’s a 2000s championship winning team kinda like the spurs
Imagine they had an offensive killer on this team who could gel with the defence as it is now. They would be unstoppable.
Jalen over Sengun, Jalen best scorer and can score in variety of ways and has neen consistent
What a great video! Subscribed
great video.
Modern day 04 pistons
Probably the best video on YouTube about the rockets great job!!
great video
Great video great comment section greetings from Türkiye go Alpy
1:49 Love the Steven Adams mention & offensive rebounds being a core reason why the Rockets are doing so well.
He is the best offensive rebounder of all time. Currently highest orb% of all time this season
2:44 Adams leads the league in team points conceded per 100 possessions since the trade deadline (defensive rating).
1. Steven Adams 102.3
2. Jaylin Williams 103.8
4:49 Adams is second overall in boxouts per 36 minutes. 5.5 per 36.
Sengun only has 2.9 per 36 minutes.
Confused the players here.
6:38 Adams is the offensive rebounding dominance. Everybody else is complimentary.
I’m a native Houstonian so obviously I love my Rockets. The improvements over the last two years have been phenomenal. From the second worst record in the NBA two years ago to a 500 team last year, the Rockets showed great improvement. This year, of course, they have the second best record in the Western Conference and deserve to be in the number two slot. Shutting down both the Thunder and the Warriors in one week was not a fluke.
Thank you for your insights, as this was one of the best and most revealing basketball analysis that I have watched. I will continue to watch your channel. Thank you
Will be crazy once we get Reed going too
Really enjoyed this video. Ime is the Man in Houston
Outstanding video. While I think Sengun and Green would have developed into special players without Ime, he has turned them into two way monsters.
And Jabari is on track to be really, really good.
They don't have stars yet, but that narrative dies here in about two weeks.
10 minutes and we get a breakdown of both sides of the ball and the contributions of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Steven Adams, Jabari Smith and Ime Udoka as well as how it may translate in the playoffs. Elite work XJ!
Notice the mention of memphis a couple years ago was due to stevo aswell 🤔 😂 loved this one. Shout out from New Zealand 🇳🇿
Sengun is not our best player bro, it's Amen. I know it's hard to get that the big scorers are not out best players but… it is what it is. I'll die on that hill. He's already doing what Zion does on offense and he guards the star player on the other team even if that's Curry, Shai, or Luka, as the team's power forward.
James Harden helped turn the Rockets into a championship wining team thanks James for wanting out best move you ever made.
Am i the only who is thinking this Houston Rockets team might be the 2025 NBA Champions? This team is really having fun in their every game ⛹️♂️⛹️♂️⛹️♂️
You tripping on Jalen he is our most important player bro logs the most minutes and makes the most important buckets but he is not perfect tho