After another loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Houston Rockets are on a five-game losing streak. Starting point guard Fred VanVleet has missed the last three matches with an ankle issue, and the Rockets are struggling as a result. Fans are excited to see the young stars get an opportunity to develop with VanVleet out. But in a competitive Western Conference, the Rockets need him back as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he’s week-to-week with an ankle injury.
The Houston Rockets Are Struggling Without Their Pilot
Losing Streak
A losing streak always seemed bound to strike in Houston at some point. After all, they happen to every team, except maybe this year’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets had seemingly done a good job of insulating themselves against it with their fantastic start to the season. After battling the Memphis Grizzlies all of January for the second seed, it looked like they’d achieved some separation among a small group atop the Western Conference.
But a five-game skid made quick work of that. Now, there is no separation. The Rockets are just like any other decent team in the West again – right in the heart of the scrum.
To be clear, Houston’s excellent work earlier in the year has not gone to waste. They’re the fourth seed and currently a game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers. Seven games separate them from the 10th-placed Sacramento Kings. Nothing is guaranteed, but assuming Houston rights the ship, they should still be closer to the second seed than just scrapping by through the play-in. But they’re going to need their starting point guard back.
VanVleet’s Second Rockets Season
VanVleet’s 2024-25 season has been a mixed bag. His efficiency has been woeful. He’s shooting 34.4% from three and only 38.7% from the field. But woe-betide anyone who says Houston hasn’t needed him. The 30-year-old has been in the top three on the team in win shares and value over replacement player (VORP) this season. He’s been fourth among regular rotation players in box plus/minus (BPM). His actual plus/minus per game is second.
The point guard has served as the team’s primary closer this season. Given how many Rockets games have wound up scraping against the wire, that’s been quite a significant responsibility for him. Sometimes it’s worked out; sometimes it hasn’t. But Houston has needed every clutch performance he’s given them.
VanVleet’s Future With The Rockets
The trade deadline has passed, with the Rockets making only minor moves. VanVleet has a team option for next season, which will undoubtedly be picked up. Nonetheless, his usage had been declining even before his recent absence. In November, VanVleet’s usage was 19.9%. In January, it was 14.7%. Amen Thompson has been one beneficiary of that reordering. As regrettable as a five-game losing streak may be, Thompson’s overall development has probably been a beneficiary of that.
Even with extra ball-handling responsibility, Thompson doesn’t remotely replicate what VanVleet gives the Rockets. The young defensive ace does have good passing instincts, and his handle has been improving. However, he’s at his best in transition or off the ball. His positional uncertainty is one of the biggest potential issues with Houston’s theoretical big three.
Houston’s half-court offense doesn’t look pretty at the best of times. That is, unless you consider the best of times to be when playing those rare NBA defenses that don’t load up on Alperen Sengun or Jalen Green’s paths to the rim. “Can Thompson play point guard?” is a question for Houston’s future. Right now, it’s no question at all. Houston needs VanVleet. But they’ll also need to figure out how to survive without him. Their next game will be against the Dallas Mavericks in their first home game since their franchise-altering trade with the Lakers.
The Last Word
In the modern NBA, starting point guards are expected to be rockstars. VanVleet isn’t that. But he has been a rock for Houston ever since he was signed. It’s natural for fans to look forward to a theoretically post-VanVleet future. That’s when the team is supposed to be competing for championships, after all. But right now, VanVleet’s fellow Rockets still need him. Fans are hoping he’s back on the floor soon.
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