iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Udoka on waiving Rafael Castro and the open two-way spot: "Our abundance of bigs in camp, having three and then Oscar [Tshiebwe] is here, playing really well." Says Houston is looking at 4-5 candidates to fill that open spot.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"So, what if Reed Sheppard pops? What if, standing on solid ground in Ime Udoka’s rotation, he emerges as one of the scarier high-volume pull-up 3-point shooters in the league? " #Rockets

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Udoka says Bogdanovic is underrated as a handler, said he had some nice lobs to Capela in the team's scrimmages today.

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Bogdanovic: "Last year I just got out of the rotation because of my injury — I still don’t know the reason. ... I just use that as motivation to look forward. I’m healthy now, I’m happy, I’m blessed that I’m here. I'm really motivated and I'm just working."

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Bogdanovic on Eason: "Tari Ferrari, amazing dude ... He's very competitive, very hardworking guy. ... Tremendous defender, tremendous athlete, just a hooper, you know? He loves to hoop. I love to play with guys that love basketball."

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Ime Udoka praised Reed Sheppard and Bogdan Bogdanovic for their off-ball movement in practice today, one where Houston live scrimmaged. Steven Adams on the duo (joking): "I kind of don't like it because then I have to run around a lot too ... these bastards are fast, man."

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Tari Eason said he met Bogdan Bogdanovic for the first time at Rockets media day. "We've already gotten pretty close. I really like that dude. He's a good guy."

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Everyone was a full participant in training camp for the Rockets today, per Udoka. Houston is structuring camp as follows. A light day, a medium day, a hard day and a rest day, with the cycle repeating from there. Today was a medium day.

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Ime Udoka feels the Rockets are being overlooked — and told the team as such on the first day of training camp. “We played on opening night last year. We played on Christmas last year. So, that says it.”

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Looks like FVV's status is good. Won't play B2B early on but is a full participant in 5 on 5 practice. #Rockets

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Ben DuBose @bendubose.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We’ll get confirmation Tuesday, but sounds like no September surprises (i.e. last year’s FVV and DFS situations) this year. Everyone is healthy and ready to go, Fred and Steven included.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#Rockets ranked 5th here, 3rd in WC. Feels right.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

#Rockets Media Day is tomorrow. The offseason is over! 🚀

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Ben DuBose @bendubose.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

New #Rockets podcast with @byvarunshankar.bsky.social and myself on the Amen Thompson contract extension and next week’s Media Day and training camp opener:

open.spotify.com

Training camp preview, Amen Thompson extension analysis

Rockets LaunchPod · Episode

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Varun Shankar @byvarunshankar.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Structure for the Amen Thompson contract, per league source: 27-28: 35.862M 28-29: 38.731M 29-30: 41.6M 30-31: 44.469M 31-31: 47.338M

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

👀 👀 Coach Chip Engelland in the house! #Rockets

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

The #Rockets are 14 days away from Media Day. Almost there guys! 🚀

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"When they throw doubles at KD and he’s fatigued, we want him to get better at not turning the ball over out of the double team. So it’s about making sure that he develops as a passer through the double team. Was one of the points of emphasis from watching his film." #Rockets

rocketswire.usatoday.com

Kevin Durant's trainer points out area of emphasis ahead of 2026-27 season

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has been working on his game ahead of the 2026-27 season, his 19th year in the NBA.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Bogdan Bogdanovic is ready to be a key scorer/shooter off the #Rockets bench this season. He is gearing up!

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

"While Şengün has two All-Star appearances under his belt and some sensational offensive skills, there’s a belief among some folks around the league that Houston’s best chance at replacing Durant is by giving Amen Thompson the freedom to take his game to the next level." #Rockets

nytimes.com

How high is Amen Thompson’s ceiling with the Houston Rockets?

Thompson has all the makings of a superstar — if he can fix his one glaring flaw.

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Michael Pina @michaelvpina.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

amen thompson below the max...the rockets are good at this

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The following #Rockets games this upcoming season will also air on NBA TV (Games are SCHN broadcasts in the Houston market): Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma City Nov. 28 vs. Philadelphia Dec. 30 at Golden State Feb. 14 vs. Denver

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John Hollinger @johnhollinger.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I had a $45.6M BORD$ value on Amen Thompson, although that felt slightly high given some of the difficulties translating his no-spacing game to a playoff-type environment. His deal also likely sets upper bar on Detroit's potential package with his twin brother Ausar (who rated as $30.8M in BORD$).

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

You can tell a lot about NBA fans IQ on this app by their reaction to the Amen Thompson contract. Real ball knowledge vs PRA stans. #Rockets #NBAsky

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#Rockets Media Day will be September 22nd. Folks that's less than 3 weeks away! Media Day is about a week earlier than normal due to the foreign preseason games.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

There it is. Amen Thompson locked up. Slightly higher than I expected but pretty much inline. 41.6M AAV. I figured 5/200 was the ballpark and this is right there. #Rockets

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Who will win Sixth Man of the Year? 1. Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder: 34 points 2. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs: 23 points 3. Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder: 22 points 4. Reed Sheppard, Houston #Rockets: 20 points

espn.com

NBA Summer Forecast 2026-27: Predictions for every major award

Our Summer Forecast panel reveals its predictions for all major NBA awards for the 2026-27 season.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Who will win Defensive Player of the Year? 1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: 108 points 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat: 20 points 3. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder: 13 points 4. Amen Thompson, Houston #Rockets: 12 points

espn.com

NBA Summer Forecast 2026-27: Predictions for every major award

Our Summer Forecast panel reveals its predictions for all major NBA awards for the 2026-27 season.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Athletic Power Rankings WC Tier 2 3. Lakers 4. Wolves 5. #Rockets 6 Nuggets ESPN Power Rankings WC Tier 2 3. Nuggets: 51-31 3. Rockets: 51-31 5. Timberwolves: 50-32 6. Lakers: 45-37

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

DEN had to trade away Peyton Watson because the front office completely miscalculated on the value of Braun. That 25M AAV contract was way over valued and it forced their hand with the 2nd Apron barrier. This is why the #Rockets valuing their players correctly is so important.

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Mo Dakhil @modakhilnba.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Denver losing Watson is a massive blow. They really are going to waste another Jokic year.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Cam Whitmore ends up going to Cleveland in the multi-team Watson deal.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Feel good about the #Rockets in the HOU, DEN, MIN, LAL tier in the Western Conference.

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John Hollinger @johnhollinger.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

NBA works very hard to make a fair schedule, but man did Rockets get a bad beat in first week. 830 pm game in San Antonio, long (for a b2b) flight to Atlanta afterward, lose an hour, 7pm CT game the next night at Hawks ... and then they host Hawks two days later. Bizarre those games weren't reversed

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Ben DuBose @bendubose.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Complete 2026-27 #Rockets schedule

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Ranking the #Rockets player and draft assets.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

MLK Day. #Rockets at Grizzlies - 7:30 pm EST on Peacock.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Per @bendubose.bsky.social: "For the 2026-27 season, the #Rockets are indeed moving back most of their home tipoff times to 7:30 p.m., per sources. Houston’s ongoing “Toyota Center Reimagined” renovation project is one reason, but there are others, as well." I am a fan of the later time.

clutchfans.net

For 2026-27, Rockets move most home tipoff times to 7:30 p.m.

After many years of 7:00 p.m. Central being the standard tipoff time at Houston’s Toyota Center, things are changing for the 2026-27 NBA season. This year, most Rockets games are scheduled to start at...

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

"A line of 47.5 feels too low for a team that added more depth. VanVleet's return gives Houston another late-game option, while Adams and Smart strengthen an already physical defense. The Rockets should find themselves in the 50-win range." #Rockets

espn.com

Houston Rockets offseason recap, early 2026-27 season preview

Can Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson and others push Houston into the West's upper tier? We're looking back at the offseason and taking an early look at the 2026-27 season.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Jabari Smith: "I’m trying to improve every aspect (of my game), but I feel like ball-handling is the area where I can take the biggest jump. Just get stronger with the ball. Not necessarily doing a million moves, but being strong with it, being able to get to my spots." #Rockets #NBAsky

rocketswire.usatoday.com

Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. turns offseason focus to ball handling

“I’m trying to improve every aspect (of my game), but I feel like ball-handling is the area where I can take the biggest jump,” Jabari Smith Jr. says.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Jabari Smith on coach Ime Udoka, new podcast: "He allows everybody to be free. He allows everybody to do different things. And I think that's what I love about him most. He's a players coach. Very encouraging, very uplifting." #Rockets #NBAsky www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wgJ...

youtube.com

Jabari Smith Jr. on Kevin Durant, Rockets’ Rise & Becoming a Dad | Chiney Today

YouTube video by ESPN

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

. @johnschuhmann.bsky.social of NBA dot com has the #Rockets 5th in the Western Conference. www.nba.com/news/offseas...

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

#Rockets waive JD Davison. Move puts them under the luxury tax. Rockets likely stay at 14 players until the end of the season.

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Chris A. White 🐻 @fyrebear.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The #Rockets 15 man roster. PG: Fred VanVleet / Reed Sheppard / JD Davison SG: Amen Thompson / Marcus Smart / Bruce Thornton SF: Kevin Durant / Bogdan Bogdanovic / Isaiah Crawford PF: Jabari Smith / Tari Eason / JaeSean Tate C: Alperen Sengun / Steven Adams / Clint Capela

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