Christmas Came Early: Houston Rockets' 4 Biggest Gifts of the Season

For fans of the Houston Rockets, it's been Christmas all throughout the 2024-25 season.

At least, there's been no shortage of gifts. At 17-9, the Rockets have far exceeded expectations. As you gather with your loved ones over the holiday season, forgive yourself if your mind wants to the Rockets. They've been among the league's most captivating teams, and they've given their fans gifts that should rival anything under their trees.

Here are their 4 biggest gifts of the 2024-25 NBA season.

1. Ime Udoka's presence

To paraphrase a controversial rap artist, Udoka's presence is a present.

When the Rockets hired Udoka, his reputation as a defensive ace was well-established. Now, the team has the second-best Defensive Rating in the NBA at 105.3.

Udoka is earning his keep.

Sure, the offense leaves something to be desired. It's difficult to determine whether that's due to roster construction or coaching. Still, watching this young team take on their head coach's identity has been a transformative experience.

Udoka is the gift that keeps on giving.

2. Tari Eason's health

Eason spent much of the season near the top of the league's Box Plus/Minus (BPM) leaderboard. He's cooled off some - suspect shooting is the culprit - but his mark of 5.4 remains 14th in the NBA. Moreover, Eason is tied with Alex Caruso to lead all qualified candidates in Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) at 3.9.

Those are remarkable catch-all metrics for a backup wing who was taken with the 17th overall pick. The fact that Eason is coming off of a significant injury makes his impact even more impressive. This is likely to be one of the best role players in the NBA for the next decade.

Sure, Eason's offense is inconsistent. His three-point stroke has left him recently. That said, he has flashed some potential to create his own shot in the halfcourt. He makes hay as a defender, but he's not a liability on either end of the floor.

The Rockets should count their lucky stars. Eason has been healthy this year, and the Rockets are benefitting immensely. If that continues through the rest of the season, it will be an even more bountiful gift.

3. Dillon Brooks' shooting

Rostering Dillon Brooks has typically come with a trade-off. He's a dogged defender who will never cost his team on that end of the floor, but his offense is shaky. Brooks has never been a knockdown shooter, and his forays into self-creation didn't always yield positive results.

In 2024-25, he's been one of the Rockets' most reliable shooters. Brooks is connecting on 37.4% of his 5.7 threes per game. The Rockets have needed it desperately.

Look across the roster. Almost everyone's efficiency is down. The Rockets are winning rock fights to preserve their strong record, but every team needs offensive production to win. Brooks' shooting has often kept the offense afloat:

Even his self-created looks are starting to feel trustworthy.

4. Alperen Sengun's defensive leap

Eason isn't even leading the Rockets in BPM anymore. That would be Alperen Sengun. At 6.8, he's 6th in the NBA. For some Rockets fans, his positive DBPM of 2.9 is even more important.

Don't like catch-all metrics? OK. Go find a stat that says Sengun has been a negative defender this year. In the meantime, here's another one to discredit your point.

Sengun has transformed on the defensive end. He's been above average by the stats and eye test in 2024-25. It's become clear that he'll be a cornerstone for this franchise moving forward:

What gift could be better than that?