The Houston Rockets are finally catching up after a few seasons of rebuilding, and they’re doing it the hard way. Not only a team with raw talent and highlight-reel potential, the 2024–25 Rockets showed something even more important: grit.
Ryan Hollins, a former NBA veteran and current Rockets analyst, summarized the shift in a single word: “We’re going to win the ugly games.”
Hollins discussed what went well for Houston last season with RG, indicating that defense, maturity, and a new cultural buy-in were the foundation of the Rockets’ turnaround.
Tari Eason’s Return Sparked Defensive Identity
Hollins cited the return of forward Tari Eason as a major turning point for the Rockets, who’s versatility and defensive prowess altered how Houston ended games.
“Closing out games defensively with Tari Eason was huge,” Hollins said. “He was able to guard guys and disrupt offenses the way he wanted, and that presence was something they really missed last year.”
Ime Udoka was able to be more flexible and increase the pressure on the Rockets during crunch time due to Eason’s ability to defend multiple positions. The most significant thing was that it enabled younger players like Amen Thompson and Jalen Green to play more freely and aggressively on both sides of the court.
Development Across the Roster
The collective growth of Houston’s young core was the driving force behind Eason’s return. Jalen Green, who is now in his fourth NBA season, was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points per game, which is good for 13th in the league. He demonstrated glimpses of a rising star who is developing the ability to balance scoring bursts with smarter decision-making. With his 10.3 rebounds per game in the paint, Alperen Şengün took a huge step and finished eighth among all rebounders. Amen Thompson, a rookie with top-notch athleticism and defensive instincts, was the team leader with 1.3 blocks per game, placing him among the league’s top 15 in that field.
“The young guys also just got a year older—more experienced,” Hollins noted.
Jabari Smith Jr.’s evolution was another important development, as he gained more consistent minutes and improved his defensive presence.
“Jabari was much improved defensively, and that made a big difference because now you could keep him on the floor without having to trade off defense for offense,” said Hollins. “He embraced his role and played it well.”
A Team Embracing Toughness
Hollins pointed out that although the individual improvements were noteworthy, the real difference was psychological: complete team-wide dedication to winning the kinds of games that don’t look good on paper but matter in the standings.
“You had a group that fully bought in on the defensive end,” he said. “They said, ‘We’re going to win the ugly games.’ And when you can win those—those gritty, grind-it-out ones—you give yourself a real chance.”
The Rockets are not only better under Coach Ime Udoka, but also more serious, prepared, and accountable. They’ve transitioned from a team that relied on flash to one that focuses on fundamentals. Trust is essential for that type of shift to take place, and it can’t happen without it.
Looking Ahead
Although Houston’s young roster has plenty of room for improvement, they have laid down a foundation that is founded on effort, defense, and hard-earned wins. Hollins stated that the team is no longer avoiding adversity — they are actively seeking it out. While the Rockets are not yet considered title contenders, they are now a team nobody wants to face on the second night of a back-to-back. They have mastered the art of winning in a slow-moving game where shots aren’t falling and every possession is a battle. Houston is beginning to win in a league that often glorifies offense, and it’s ugly, gritty, and proud of it.
