Houston Rockets Midseason REVIEW: Kevin Durant’s MVP Impact & Alperen Sengun’s DEFENSIVE Importance
Houston Rockets Midseason REVIEW: Kevin Durant’s MVP Impact & Alperen Sengun’s DEFENSIVE Importance
Houston Rockets ride Kevin Durant’s ageless brilliance, but cracks in the foundation raise playoff questions. Can a 37-year-old KD keep carrying the load, or will the Rockets’ young core finally step up and ease the burden? Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohosts Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks), Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) and Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) for part two of a Rockets midseason review series, delivering sharp analysis on Durant’s MVP-level performances, the team’s KD-dependence, and why even greatness comes with flaws—like untimely turnovers and late-game decisions.
The crew also examines Alperen Sengun’s pivotal but inconsistent season, citing his early dominance and recent defensive regression. Is fatigue—and year-round play—the culprit behind Sengun’s drop-off? Key topics include Houston’s offensive identity, the chemistry between Kevin Durant and Sengun, and the crucial role of injury management heading into the season’s second half. Don’t miss this candid midseason review of the Houston Rockets’ hopes, hurdles, and the path to a deep NBA playoff push.
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19 Comments
Go Rockets ❤🎉❤
KD has been amazing, but in addition to bad fouls and turnovers at the end of games, he’s also missed some clutch free throws. Much like Madison I just didn’t expect that. Still give him an A+.
Don't be such a hypocrite! I remember when you were talking sht about KK weeks ago, for his performance! And I was telling you to just; "Chill out dude!" And you were doing the same for Alperen just a couple days ago! Silly… Stop reacting like a teenager… I go C on your validations! Excluding Madison & Brandon…
14:55 Omg Madison I thought I was the only one I totally agree with that i seen it happen way to many times were he’s waving the ball off knowing that we need him to get ball I hate wen he does that but I mainly think that’s him saying if I get this ball and get doubled it’s going to be a turnover so I cut him so slack but I agree with that point
This team is so much better with Alpi being the first facilitator. The offense has to run first tru KD, second Thompson/Reed and third option Sengun. This team doesn’t need Sengun with 25 points per game, I prefer 15 points with 10 rebound and 10 assists with good defense.
Loving Udoka's adjustment of using KD as screener. More of this please, best way to punish teams for doubling KD!!!
And what is likelihood of small trade for Paul Reed – Rockets in dire need for another playable big with Stevo out for rest of season.
B-Ball Paul is 2 way ultra high energy big who could backup Alp as well as play alongside him and Udoka definitely would not have concerns about KYP. Then add another high volume scorer by signing Malik Beasley. The addition of movement shooter and 3P sniper like Beasley optimizes spacing for KD, Alp and Amen. Or if used as microwave scorer off bench, Beasley would transform the bench unit scoring from putrid to at least palatable.
Gonna have to disagree with Madison. No Pg and offensive is what happens. Get a real pg and the negatives will lessen
KD, Sengun, Amen, Adams, Okogi, Capela, DFS, Davison, Jabari are franchise players of the Rockets and anyone who does not give them at least an A knows nothing about basketball or is trying to make a fool of the other people!
The rest of the players are all role players who have to be traded to get a good guard and some two-way contract players, nothing more.
Udoka is nothing but a malicious and incompetent idiot who is so stubborn that he still insists on not playing Davison even though he doesn't have a single other point guard available.
As a KD fan(my goat) he does turn the ball over a bit too much(with or without a PG)but as long as u give him an A I’m fine with the criticism.
Exactly Jackson. If Madison wants KD to do what he asking for in the fourth. Tell the young core of players to be better at the start of games. You saw it last game. Sengun carried the fist half and when it got to the fourth, KD was aggressive and finished the game with big buckets. Which is what he was brought to Houston for.
Really Jackson if we go on a streak like a 10 plus and start looking dominant Kd should be in top 3 for mvp.
I think y’all reaching with the offense their just missing shots a lot have been open shots they just not knocking them down
Z (-) for Rafael stone then ? The team most likely going thru all season with no point guard .not even a half consistent three point shooter , and gave away the team's best two players for a 37 years old (one greatest of all time ) and no one has guts to question his decisions.
Which player will he bring in two years later when KD retires and for what cost ?
Bu arkadaş niye sürekli anlık yorumlar yapıyor bir adamı kötülüyor iki hafta sonra iyi ya bu adam iyi diyor üç gün sonra ya bu adam iyi değilmiş diyor beş gün sonra tekrar iyi diyor bu adamın daha tutarlı olmasını beklemek hata değil umarım
Man Dillon Brooks was my guy man I still think he’d fit rn
I need to know when these "horrible KD fouls at the end of games" has happened.
Alpi do all things team needs like a swiss army knife..
Rockets lose nearly all matches when he injured and u still talking about what..
Alpi can't choose who he play with but KD do this or the coaches..
KD is KD nothing less or nothing more.. But Before all star break u all didn't support your allstar, Alpi beaten because of hard fouls, bad referee decisions, still stands the team up..
First time i can't stand your double standarts..
I am Houston fan in my third year now, because of u i don't wanna be more.. No respect, no support this is not anybody want to be in..
I m still Rockets fan but not u all , Espn, Tnt or any other podcast better than u.. 10th in MVP candidate and can't take A from his reporters , ridiculous..
1000% gotta appreciate and enjoy KD's games for these next few years. Hes a one of one.
Im a Knicks fan from NY. When KD was in Brooklyn I must've watched ar least 90% of his games as a Net for that exact reason. If Kevin Durant is playing basketball, im tuning in.
His game is unlike no other
So u want KD to empower the team but always demand the ball?