Podcast · Sport

Rockets LaunchPod

by Ben DuBose · English · Sport

Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2026-27 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 2026 and beyond;

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 57 min
Latest: 11 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026 · 32 min

Marcus Smart, Jabari Smith Jr. shine in Rockets’ second exhibition

Marcus Smart and Jabari Smith Jr. had impressive showings, but the short-handed Rockets didn’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the Mavericks in Sunday’s 132-115 exhibition loss. With that result, Dallas and Houston split their two-game preseason series in China. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, our “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all of the game’s key storylines, including the impact of key absences such as Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, and Steven Adams. Other discussion topics include uneven guard play from Reed Sheppard and Amen Thompson; the…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

9 Oct 2026 · 38 min
Fred VanVleet excels as Rockets open preseason by routing Mavs
With 17 points, 7 assists, five 3-pointers, and only one turnover, Fred VanVleet was dynamic in his return from injury as Houston opened its preseason by routing the Dallas Mavericks. Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s “ClutchFans Live” postgame show breaks down all the key storylines from the 2026 NBA China Games opener. Discussion topics include how the reintegration of VanVleet should make life easier for other Rockets, as well as analysis of big nights for Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., and more. Tune in here or on YouTube ( video version )!…
25 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
Rockets open 2026-27 training camp with deeper, healthier roster
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…
23 Sep 2026 · 53 min
Media day reaction: Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty on Houston’s key takeaways
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…
23 Sep 2026 · 17 min
Media Day interviews: Kevin Durant, Tari Eason
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 18 min
Media Day interviews: Fred VanVleet, Bruce Thornton
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 23 min
Media Day interviews: Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 14 min
Media Day interviews: Reed Sheppard, Bogdan Bogdanović
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 18 min
Media Day interviews: Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 25 min
Media Day interviews: Marcus Smart, Jabari Smith Jr.
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 .
23 Sep 2026 · 13 min
Media Day interviews: Ime Udoka, Rafael Stone
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 .
17 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Training camp preview, Amen Thompson extension analysis
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…
25 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 15 min
Rockets over-unders: Wins, seed, and minutes projections
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…
12 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Rockets offseason roundtable: Ranking Houston’s current and future assets
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 .
28 Jul 2026 · 57 min
Rockets add ‘shot doctor’ Chip Engelland to coaching staff
.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…
16 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
Summer league takeaways and 2026 offseason strategy
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…
8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
Tari Eason re-signs as Rockets remain active in NBA free agency
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 .
1 Jul 2026 · 39 min
Free agency reaction: Rockets sign Marcus Smart, Bogdan Bogdanović
The NBA’s 2026 free agency window is now open for business, and the Rockets quickly reached agreements to sign both Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović. In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose reviews the basketball and salary cap implications of both deals while also exploring the implications for the remainder of Houston’s roster and the rest of the offseason. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice .
30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Rockets free agency: Fred VanVleet opts in, Marcus Smart possibly on way
As the NBA’s 2026 free agency window opens, the Houston Rockets suddenly find themselves with more veteran insurance in the backcourt. Fred VanVleet officially opted into the final year of his previous contract, while Lakers guard Marcus Smart looks to be on the way as an external addition. Featuring Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Tuesday’s show breaks down all the key implications of those moves while also providing additional analysis on recent draftee Bruce Thornton. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice .
26 Jun 2026 · 52 min
Draft reaction: Rockets add Bruce Thornton, Quadir Copeland
This week’s NBA draft concluded with the Houston Rockets adding Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton (second round) and North Carolina State guard/wing Quadir Copeland (UDFA) to their 2026-27 roster. In Thursday’s show, our Ben DuBose reacts to the implications of both additions. The episode also looks ahead to the June 30 launch date of 2026 free agency, including internal contract considerations for Fred VanVleet and Tari Eason and analysis of why a major external trade (Jaylen Brown?) could be difficult to execute. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive…
23 Jun 2026 · 13 min
Draft week preview: What options do the Rockets have?
Tuesday’s SportsTalk 790 interview features insight from Ben DuBose on what the Rockets are likely to do and consider during this week’s NBA Draft. Topics include players that could be on the trading block; whether Houston could move into the first round; and considerations for the team’s two second-round selections at No. 39 and No. 53, overall. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice .
11 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 12 min
What lessons should Houston take from the 2026 NBA Finals?
Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Thursday’s show features insight and analysis pertaining to the 2026 NBA Finals, and specifically those Spurs-Knicks storylines with implications for the Rockets. The initial segment explores what fans should (and shouldn’t) take away from Stephon Castle’s stated preference to land in San Antonio — and not Houston — in the 2024 draft. The episode then transitions to a discussion of what the Spurs and Knicks have shown us regarding team-building strategies, as well as New York’s unique tactical blueprint to try and slow Victor Wembanyama. Support our…
4 Jun 2026 · 53 min
New-look Rockets: Behind the scenes of uniform, logo changes
Championship yellow is back, as is the Dunkstronaut! Jose Lopez, senior creative director of the Rockets, and Taylor French, director of marketing operations, speak with Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty regarding Houston’s new look for the 2026-27 season and beyond. Discussion topics include the intentionality behind changing the logos, jerseys, and uniforms; the process of working with the NBA, Nike, and other key stakeholders; feedback from players and ownership; and what the new look will mean for fans and the organization over the years ahead. The complete press release announcing the…
20 May 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Can Rockets adapt to the NBA’s latest “super team” era?
After a few years of relative parity, the Spurs and Thunder appear to be entrenched juggernauts atop the West standings. As San Antonio and Oklahoma City square off in the 2026 Western Conference Finals, each features an MVP frontrunner and other young stars who should all remain in elite form for years to come. So, what does that mean for those teams a few slots beneath them, including the Houston Rockets? With a eye toward long-term roster planning, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves mull over all the scenarios in our latest podcast. Topics include the merits of a “strategic step back” this…
5 May 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Crash landing: Pivotal offseason awaits as Lakers ground Rockets
To quote Rockets general manager Rafael Stone, a “frustrating and disappointing season” concluded with Friday’s series-ending loss in Game 6 versus the Los Angeles Lakers. For a second straight year, Houston went 52-30 in the regular season before bowing out in the first round of the NBA playoffs. With that in mind, hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves react to all the latest developments surrounding the Rockets, including an intriguing end-of-season press conference held by Stone and head coach Ime Udoka. Topics include the reasons for Houston’s bouts of offensive ineptitude in the playoffs;…
30 Apr 2026 · 9 min
Game 5: Matt Thomas calls via Rockets’ radio network
Today’s episode features Matt Thomas , radio play-by-play voice of the Rockets, calling the second-half highlights of Wednesday’s thrilling Game 5 victory in Los Angeles. With the Lakers now up 3-2 in the series, Game 6 is Friday night in Houston. The Rockets are hoping to become the first team in NBA playoff history (0-160) to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win, and they are already one of only 16 teams to push a series to Game 6 after losing the first three games. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice .
29 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Without Kevin Durant, can Rockets make a historic comeback?
No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after trailing 3-0. Can these Houston Rockets, who remain without injured star Kevin Durant, somehow pull it off against LeBron James and the Lakers (who still have a 3-1 lead)? Ahead of Wednesday’s pivotal Game 5 in Los Angeles, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves are joined by ClutchFans’ Dave Hardisty to explore the lay of the land. Topics include the outlook for Durant; key players to watch for; and the potential for major offseason changes, should Houston still lose its first-round series. This episode can also be viewed in video form here . Support our…
23 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
Playoff pushovers? Lakers expose Houston’s systemic flaws
Despite drawing what appeared to be a friendly first-round matchup, the Rockets now trail 2-0 in their best-of-seven series versus the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers. With Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves as hosts, Thursday’s episode offers background and perspective on all the key takeaways from the 2026 NBA playoffs. The show begins by discussing the reasons behind Houston’s offensive downturn and whether Ime Udoka can find answers to turn things around later in the series. From there, Ben and Paulo debate how much blame should go to the players, coaches, and the front office, as well as…
15 Apr 2026 · 57 min
Playoff preview: Rockets draw Lakers in first round
Did Kevin Durant and the Rockets (52-30, No. 5 in Western Conference) get an unexpected gift by drawing LeBron James and the injury riddled Lakers (53-29, No. 4) as their first-round opponent? Hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, Wednesday’s show breaks down the pros and cons of the playoff matchup, from a Houston perspective. Topics include series X-factors; where things could go right or wrong; a key starting lineup decision for Ime Udoka; and predictions. Support our partners and sponsors ! Also, please subscribe and leave a positive review at your podcast home of choice .
7 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Rockets extend winning streak with impressive late season run
As the 2026 playoffs approach, the Rockets are on a season-best winning streak of six games and counting, and they could be peaking at the right time. Houston (49-29) enters Tuesday at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings and within a game of the injury ravaged Los Angeles Lakers (50-28), and their struggles might lead the Rockets to a friendlier postseason matchup and possibly even home-court advantage (a top-four seed) in the first round. Houston is 28-10 at home this season. With that in mind, Tuesday’s full show — featuring both Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves — breaks down all the…

About Rockets LaunchPod

Rockets LaunchPod is a English sport podcast from Ben DuBose. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Ben DuBose
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 57 min
Latest episode: 11 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1625482291
Rights: Copyright SportsTalk 790 (KBME-AM)

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