ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Pistons 1/23/2026

Aaron Gordon reinjured his hammy on a b2b game. Like I said, Alpi needs a few days off.

 

San Antonio is good but I think we’d beat them if we meet in the playoffs. As of now I think OKC and Denver are the biggest threats in playoffs everyone else out west I think we’d take care of

 

Yeah, he's gotta respect the J.

 

Question is, how does the coaching staff not already see this? Sengun has already missed random games here and there so not a major issue to miss a couple for maintenance.

 

Its possible he wont make the all star so he can rest then.

 

Coaching staff missed Capela's dominance and just played him 16 mins so I guess they miss a lot of things

 

Reed developing a step back 3 would be a game changer for him. He needs to work on that in the off-season.

 

Inbounding has been a problem since Ime’s tenure began. It’s amazing to me that he hasn’t solved that in 3 years. His lack of attention to detail on the offensive side of the ball is offensive (see what I did there).

 

Foster.

 

Still perplexed how Cade can jump on Amen's back while Amen has possession and **** face Foster calls a jump ball when Cade just touches the ball for half a second.

Then a few plays later, Jabari ties up Cade for a jump ball but Jabari gets called for a loose ball foul then gets the tech piled on top after getting surrounded by the Pistons bench.

Scales were tipped in Detroit's favor. Those timely buckets down the stretch were just enough to maintain momentum.

 

Yeah... I was gonna add several things they're missing. KD just finished b2b 40oz and is 2nd in NBA minutes.

Don't let Jabari instead Brooks to PHX be true. Gigantic miss

 

Yeah, feels like his go-to in those situations is to drive and either pull up or go for the layup, and he's been not bad at those, but being able to just create space and get off his own 3P shot would really open up his options.

 

Hint. Ime’s not a “basketball savant”.

 

Alpi needs to be traded.

 

Any Sengun trade where we're not getting back a top 15 player in his 20s would be plain idiocy. You don't sell on a 23-year-old All-Star (getting paid well below max dollars too!) unless you're getting back that level of value. That's how you lose your job as a GM.

 

Kyrie, or any competent PG, wouldn’t stand in the same spot growing roots waiting for an inbound pass in that scenario even if that’s what the coaching staff wanted.

Kyrie goes off script in that scenario.

 

Im not making my assessment on one game and I do understand your trade analogy. However, I think Alpi is more effective as a PF, than as a center. The Rockets need a center and another wing scorer.

Unless FVV waives his No-Trade clause, I don't think either Giannas nor KAT will be an option.

So are there any other viable options out there before the Trade Deadline that would make the Rockets better, I doubt it. Maybe have to wait until the offseason.

 

Nobody is getting traded, unless they absolutely want something for Tari before he potentially leaves. Sengun, Amen, and Durant are untouchable in the Rockets eyes, rightfully so.

 

Who are the top 15 players in their 20s ?

 

Sengun is absolutely not untouchable. If he is then ROX brass is dumb af