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Rockets: Who Faces Most Pressure in 2026-27 Season?
17 Oct
Summary
- Reed Sheppard is seen as having the most to prove this season.
- Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson could be crucial to title contention.
- Fred VanVleet is cleared to return to action for the Rockets.
The Houston Rockets enter the 2026-27 NBA season with heightened expectations, aiming to surpass last year's first-round playoff exit. The team boasts talent like All-Stars Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun, alongside Amen Thompson, who garnered Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Fred VanVleet's return to action and Reed Sheppard's potential Sixth Man of the Year candidacy further bolster the roster.
Despite this assembly of talent, the franchise has not reached the Western Conference Semifinals since 2020, signaling a pressing need for tangible results. This puts numerous players, from veterans like Durant and VanVleet to the younger core of Sengun and Thompson, under the microscope to prove their worth.
Reed Sheppard, in particular, faces scrutiny. Despite reliability, he needs to fulfill his potential as a star player for the Rockets to contend. Analysts debate whether Sheppard, or the more established Sengun or Thompson, holds the key to championship contention, especially Sengun's role in challenging elite Western Conference bigs.
