Rockets need to reclaim their identity

Writer James Piercey argues that the Houston Rockets must reclaim their rugged identity by combining last season's physical dominance with their improved 2026-27 offensive system. Following a loss to the Phoenix Suns, Piercey highlights that the team's offense faltered when Alperen Sengun was forced into poor shots without cuts from Amen Thompson. Piercey believes Houston lacks a true go-to superstar to carry the scoring every night.

To compete for a championship, Piercey contends the Rockets must return to being the NBA's premier rebounding team, noting drops in offensive and total rebounding percentages. He also points out that Houston's defensive rating ranks 10th compared to sixth last season. The writer urges the franchise to find a dependable backup center if Steven Adams remains unavailable to anchor the glass.