Chris Bosh has his eye on Houston, and Alperen Sengun is a big reason why.
The Rockets are off to a 6-1 start and sitting near the top of the Western Conference, with Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Sengun forming the team’s main starting group. Their next test comes against a Celtics team that looks different after Jaylen Brown’s departure and Paul George’s arrival. Boston has opened 5-1.
Bosh said on his X account that this is the matchup he wants to see, and he pointed directly to what makes Houston dangerous. “This is my team to watch.
This is one of the teams that I’m very interested in for this season. Hopefully they can build to a championship… Houston is like a team that just wants to wrestle.
If they constrict you defensively and get you in the half court game, especially late, they got some guys. Sengun has got a very unorthodox game, but he scores and it’s effective.”
He also posted, “My game to watch tonight is the @celtics v the @houstonrockets. Fast start for both teams.
Who will win tonight? #nba #celtics #rockets pic.twitter.com/SjmejuSc2s”
Houston has already taken down the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, two teams that met in the latest Western Conference Finals and are expected to be back in the mix again. Oklahoma City is dealing with a number of injuries right now.
The Rockets’ only loss came against the Dallas Mavericks, with Sengun out because of lower back soreness. Houston had been dominant in its opener before Friday’s setback.
Sengun’s production is a major part of why the Rockets look so dangerous. The two-time All-Star is averaging 22.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, with career-best numbers in points and assists. He has long drawn comparisons to Nikola Jokic because of the way both centers can create for others while still scoring at a high level.
There’s already a case to be made that Sengun could be in line for his first All-NBA selection in 2027. He’s currently ranking in the top 20 in the league in both points and assists, and the early numbers suggest he’s not just producing - he’s doing it in a way that keeps expanding Houston’s ceiling.
Durant has remained steady as an elite scorer at 38, but Sengun is the one who gives the Rockets the feel of a team with a long runway. The question now is whether the 24-year-old can keep this pace going and help drive Houston even further.
In Other News...
Thunder Injury Crunch Reopens Debate Rockets Fans Know Well
Jalen Williams latest injury has put Oklahoma City back in a familiar spot, trying to hold together a contender while one of its best young pieces recovers from surgery on a fractured left fibula and dislocated ankle. The Thunder have already shown they can survive stretches without him, but the broader challenge is obvious: staying at the top of the West usually gets harder when the injuries pile up, and that is why the conversation around adding more help has started to pick up again.
For Rockets fans, the angle is hard to miss. Any time Oklahoma City starts weighing trade options, it brings back memories of the kind of deal that can reshape both franchises for years, and Houston has benefited from one of those swings. The Thunder may prefer to ride out the storm with the roster they have, but the pressure to reinforce the group is real, and the next move could say plenty about how aggressive they plan to be. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Get A Real Chance To Expose Bostons Tired Legs
Boston comes into Houston riding a five-game winning streak, but this trip asks a lot more of the Celtics than the standings might suggest. They are dealing with a back-to-back and the grind of a packed stretch, while the Rockets have had two days off and have been sharp at home, giving this matchup a very different feel than a typical regular-season stop.
For Houston, the timing matters. The Rockets have a chance to lean on freshness, energy and the comfort of their own building against a Celtics team that may not have its usual legs, and the game should tell a lot about how well Houston can turn that edge into a full 48-minute effort. The expected matchups and strategy points point to a tight contest, with the Rockets positioned to make this one interesting deep into the night. [Read more 🡒]
Fred VanVleet Is Forcing A Bigger Rockets Debate At Point Guard
Houstons strong start has only sharpened the conversation around point guard, because Fred VanVleet has done exactly what the Rockets needed while helping steady a 6-1 team. He has been a central figure in the opening run, bringing leadership, defense and a reliable presence to a roster that has looked organized early, with his production of 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game fitting neatly into what the Rockets want from the position.
Still, the discussion around the spot is bigger than one hot week in November. The Rockets have backup options in Marcus Smart and Reed Sheppard, but they are also keeping an eye on the market and the possibility of a more significant upgrade if the right deal comes along, which is why VanVleets hold on the job feels secure for now without necessarily closing the door on a later change. [Read more 🡒]