Astros' disappointing postseason defeat means one thing for Rockets

For the most part, the Houston Astros and the Houston Rockets share the same fans. Ditto for the Houston Texans, although Jabari Smith Jr. is clearly not one of them.

The Astros have easily been the example, as their two championships in the last seven years have served as exactly what every sports franchise can only hope to accomplish. Not to mention the two additional World Series appearances and three conference championship appearances. 

Not to mention having to change coaches and general managers, which the Rockets have also had to do in recent memory. The Astros had an up-and-down 2023 campaign that still landed them in the American League Championship Series, as they were one game away from reaching the World Series yet again.

Astros' disappointing postseason defeat means all eyes will be on Houston Rockets

The Astros were ultimately unable to match the firepower of the Rangers, as they fell 11-4 in Game 7. The Astros' inability to advance to the World Series means one thing for the Rockets: Astros fans will be tuned in.

In fact, all eyes will be on the Rockets from the opener throughout the rest of the way.

The Rockets haven't exactly been the talk of the town for the last handful of years, but fans understood the circumstances- they were rebuilding. The Rockets have told everyone that they're no longer the team of yesteryear- the team that was oftentimes down 20 points at halftime.

Rockets coach Ime Udoka mentioned that he's never missed the playoffs in his introductory presser with the Rockets, stating that he wants to continue that in the Space City. The Rockets have donned this chapter "phase two", which they hope means they'll be one of the teams jockeying for postseason play in the crowded Western Conference.

That was the purpose of signing Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. Hell, that was the purpose of hiring Udoka in the first place. That was also the reason the Rockets landed multiple primetime games.

With the regular season starting on Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic, it's time to put up or shut up. And Astros fans will be tuned in, expecting to see the Rockets take a leap and show signs of what the Astros have recently accomplished.

Texans fans will be expecting the same, as they've started the season 3-3 entering their Week 7 bye.

All eyes will be on the Rockets, which is something that couldn't have been said prior to now.