VanVleet's Return Sparks Rockets' Ambitions: Can They Make 'Real Noise'?

HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets' media day on Tuesday saw Coach Ime Udoka openly admit that the previous season, Kevin Durant's first with the team, fell short of expectations for everyone involved. Despite a second consecutive 52-win campaign, the season concluded with a second straight first-round playoff exit, a result Udoka described as the team having "somewhat plateaued." With key veterans returning from season-ending injuries, alongside anticipated growth from young talents and bolstered depth, Udoka expressed a collective hunger to move beyond just making the first round and "make some real noise."

A significant factor in the Rockets' struggles during the 2025-26 season was the absence of Fred VanVleet. He suffered a season-ending torn right ACL last September, just before the start of training camp, forcing the team into a scramble for ballhandling duties. This led to a by-committee approach involving Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Reed Sheppard, but the Rockets finished the season ranked 24th in turnovers, averaging 14.4 per game, and conceded 18.8 points off turnovers. VanVleet, an NBA champion and one-time All-Star, expressed frustration at watching from the bench but is now optimistic. He hasn't played an NBA game since May 2025 but has been cleared for 5-on-5 work and participated in scrimmages. He anticipates a natural return to form for himself and the team. "This team was constructed to have me and Steven on the floor, not on the bench and not in street clothes," VanVleet stated, noting his progress and feeling "really good" about the season opener, though acknowledging it will be a process. He reflected on his recovery, saying, "Considering 12 months ago I wasn't able to walk at this point in the year, I'd say I'm doing pretty good right now."

Steven Adams' season was also cut short, undergoing left ankle surgery in January after playing only 32 games. Adams is crucial to the Rockets' interior presence, with the team leading the league in offensive rebounding in the past two seasons when he was patrolling the paint. His injury placed additional strain on the frontcourt and increased offensive facilitation responsibilities for Alperen Sengun. Adams, like VanVleet, is grateful to be back on the court, stating, "It's been a while." He remains cautious, understanding the difference between returning from injury and reaching an "NBA level to an impact," emphasizing the need to take each phase of his recovery seriously.

General Manager Rafael Stone echoed the renewed optimism, confessing he was "definitely more excited" at this media day compared to last season, especially in the wake of VanVleet's injury. Stone highlighted the development of young players such as Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. as a "silver lining" from the challenging 2025-26 campaign. He observed a significant increase in confidence among these ascending players, stating, "Just watching them now, they're so much more confident than they were this time last year."

The Rockets have actively bolstered their roster, adding veteran depth with players like former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. These additions, combined with the healthy returns of VanVleet and Adams and the internal growth of their young core, position Houston for a stronger showing. Kevin Durant, now entering his second season with the Rockets and 20th in the NBA, appears to have found a comfort zone. Despite finishing last season, at age 37, ranked third in the NBA in minutes per game (36.4), both Udoka and Stone expressed a desire to reduce his workload. However, Durant vehemently disagreed, asserting, "Why? I'm better on the court. The team is better when I'm on the court." He believes he trains to play 48 minutes a night and wants to be out there if the game demands it, adding, "But just for the sake of [limiting] my minutes because I'm older or played a lot of minutes ... that's what I'm supposed to be training for, to play 48 minutes a night. I get the concern. But if the game needs me out there, I want to be out there."

With a clearer path to full strength and enhanced depth, the Houston Rockets are setting higher stakes for the upcoming season, aiming to transcend their recent plateaus and establish themselves as genuine contenders beyond the first round of the playoffs.