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Rating
4.7from
This podcast has
243 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Ben DuBoseExplicit
No
Date created
2022/05/21
Latest episode
2026/09/25
Average duration
46 min.
Release period
6 days
Description
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2025-26 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the performance of star players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun; potential transactions in 2025 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
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Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Rockets LaunchPod podcast
Rockets open 2026-27 training camp with deeper, healthier roster
2026/09/25
Training camp is now underway for the 2026-27 Rockets, and Houston’s roster appears deeper and better thanks to the offseason addition of Marcus Smart and the healthy returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to on-court activity.
Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Friday’s show wraps up the first week of camp, with particular emphasis on how Smart will change the team and why Ime Udoka is already declaring that “double big” lineups (featuring Adams and Alperen Sengun) are back on the menu.
Other discussion topics include closing thoughts on Media Day and Amen Thompson’s recent contract extension, as well as early thoughts on Kevin Durant’s contractual status (2027 player option) entering this season.
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Media day reaction: Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty on Houston’s key takeaways
2026/09/23
In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose (USA TODAY’s Rockets Wire) and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) break down the key takeaways and themes as Houston opens training camp for its 2026-27 season.
Topics include why Fred VanVleet (with a new knee) and Tari Eason (with a new contract) were standouts during Media Day interviews; what to make of blunt comments by All-NBA forward Kevin Durant; and how the offseason signing of Marcus Smart could already be paying dividends.
Additional topics include reaction to commentary by Ime Udoka, Rafael Stone, Steven Adams, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, and more.
If a stream is desired, this episode can be viewed in video form on YouTube.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Kevin Durant, Tari Eason
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Fred VanVleet, Bruce Thornton
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Reed Sheppard, Bogdan Bogdanović
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Marcus Smart, Jabari Smith Jr.
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Media Day interviews: Ime Udoka, Rafael Stone
2026/09/23
To kick off training camp for the upcoming season, the Houston Rockets hosted their 2026 Media Day on Tuesday, September 22.
Our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves will have extended coverage and analysis in the days ahead. For now, we’re playing back all of the Q&A interviews for players, head coach Ime Udoka, and general manager Rafael Stone.
Training camp officially opens on Wednesday, September 23.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Training camp preview, Amen Thompson extension analysis
2026/09/17
Varun Shankar, Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins Ben DuBose to break down the team’s latest developments in its final days before 2026-27 training camp. The discussion begins with reaction to Amen Thompson’s recent contract extension (five years, $208 million) and analysis of what the deal says about the negotiating prowess of GM Rafael Stone.
Other topics include key questions and storylines to watch for at Media Day (Tuesday, September 22) and the opening of training camp (Wednesday, September 23). Discussion topics include the expected returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams; the possibility of a bounce-back season for Tari Eason; and the potential of role adjustments for players throughout the rotation.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Rockets over-unders: Wins, seed, and minutes projections
2026/08/25
The dog days of the NBA offseason are officially here, so we’re talking over-under lines and looking ahead to the start of training camp in late September.
As part of Tuesday’s episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves offer insights and predictions related to Houston’s over-under betting lines for both regular-season wins (46.5) and Western Conference seed. In an over-under format, the show also explores potential minutes totals and usage for the top nine rotation players on the 2026-27 Rockets.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Rockets offseason roundtable: Ranking Houston’s current and future assets
2026/08/12
Varun Shankar, Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty, and Paulo Alves to analyze and rank Houston’s current stockpile of players and future draft assets. The show also includes insight on the team’s 2026 offseason moves and where various players and draft picks may fit into the larger blueprint for general manager Rafael Stone.
This episode can also be viewed in video form on YouTube.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Rockets add ‘shot doctor’ Chip Engelland to coaching staff
2026/07/28
.The Rockets entered the NBA’s 2026 offseason with a clear shooting deficiency, and their most important acquisition to try and fix that may not be a player.
In Tuesday’s show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down all the implications of Houston hiring “shot whisperer” Chip Engelland as an assistant coach. Topics include what it means for the current roster and its outlook for next season and beyond, as well as what the investment says about team owner Tilman Fertitta and head coach Ime Udoka.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Summer league takeaways and 2026 offseason strategy
2026/07/16
The Rockets are off to a 3-1 start at summer league, and Bruce Thornton and Isaiah Crawford are each showing promising signs for an NBA future.
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (Editor of ClutchFans) share key takeaways from Las Vegas while also looking ahead to the remainder of the 2026 offseason. If Thornton and Marcus Smart prove to be Houston’s flagship external additions, is that enough to be a Western Conference contender in 2026-27? Ben, Dave, and Paulo break down the pros and cons.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Tari Eason re-signs as Rockets remain active in NBA free agency
2026/07/08
The Rockets opened 2026 free agency with a series of moves, including the external signings of Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic; the re-signing of restricted free agent Tari Eason; and the departures of Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie.
In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments in Houston, including what appears to be a strategy to dip below the NBA’s luxury tax line for the 2026-27 season.
Support our partners and sponsors! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice.
Podcast reviews
Read Rockets LaunchPod podcast reviews
cmlmel 2025/06/14
Good but repetitive
Ben’s insights are good, but he repeats himself as nauseum, sometimes even using the exact same phrases. I don’t mind longer pods, but it is exhaustin...
GoRockets100 2025/05/05
Best Rockets Podcast
Ben is the best Rockets analyst imo
nordseg 2025/04/20
👍
👍
dshaw3233 2025/04/19
Insightful analysis from Ben, amateur hour from the cohos
Can hardly understand Paulo and his takes are too biased driven. Would much prefer a solo Ben pod.
Thespacecamel 2024/02/18
The best
This show is the best combination of intelligent analysis and passion about the Houston Rockets. You definitely want to listen.
Bryan Aguilar 2023/06/26
Great show for diehard Rockets fans!
The great Ben DuBose and young up-and-coming star analyst Paulo Alves of Portugal combine veteran experience with youthful energy to bring an informat...
Redblackrrr 2022/08/21
🥹
The best
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