Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On ...

The Locked On Rockets Podcast, hosted by Houston native and credentialed media member Jackson Gatlin, is the BEST and ONLY daily (Mon-Fri) Houston Rockets basketball podcast. Every day Jackson shares the latest news, speculation and analysis on Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, the Draft, Free Agency and the rest of the NBA. Previous guests include former Rockets Matt Bullard and Vernon Maxwell, legendary broadcaster Bill Worrell, current players Armoni Brooks, Jae'Sean Tate and more.


Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.

Sports
Basketball
126
Cam Whitmore Shines On Both Ends In Houston Roc...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss Cam Whitmore's insane performance (26 points, 8 steals) in the Houston Rockets 118-101 win against the Golden State Warriors, clinching them a spot in the Summer League playoffs. How much more comfortable Cam has looked as Summer League has progressed, his different roles each game, turning defense into offense with a ridiculous 8 steals, Trevor Hudgins doing a great job running the show since Amen Thompson went down, how the Rockets squad has compared to other teams despite losing their best players, the amazing Rockets fan turnout for the watch party at Big City Wings, expectations for Summer League playoffs and more.
34 min
127
How Amen Thompson Showed Star Upside In Houston...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) to discuss how impressive Amen Thompson looked in his Houston Rockets debut and the two-way star potential he showcased, Jabari Smith Jr. and his evolving game becoming more comfortable handling the ball offensively and expectations for how the Rockets plan to use him at the five this season, and is Tari Eason's ceiling being a 3-and-D role player or something more?
35 min
128
How Cam Whitmore Can Grow, Houston Rockets Coac...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses how Cam Whitmore has looked through three Houston Rockets Summer League games so far with each game feeling different due to lineup changes, how improving the handle will open things up more, how this new Rockets coaching staff compares to last summer's coaching staff, two-way player possibilities in Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Jay Huff, and how the NBA in-season tournament is supposed to work and what it means for the Rockets.
32 min
129
Cam Whitmore Settling In, Jabari Smith Jr Domin...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses takeaways from the Houston Rockets 113-101 win against the Detroit Pistons in their second Summer League game, focusing on Cam Whitmore's poise and approach after his debut against the Blazers, Jabari Smith Jr. looking absolutely unstoppable and how we could see him take a major leap this season, and Dillon Brooks media availability discussing why Houston was the right place for him and what he believes he brings to the Rockets.
30 min
130
Jabari Smith Jr Game-Winner & Amen Thompson Ele...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and breaks down the Houston Rockets 100-99 Summer League win against the Portland Trailblazer off of a game-winning three-pointer from Jabari Smith Jr. to cap off his 33-point night. Jabari struggling in the first half and how he got back on track in the second, Amen Thompson's electric Rockets debut playmaking and defending at a high level, but leaving early with an ankle injury, Cam Whitmore with some strong rebounding and solid plays, but lots of room to grow, Tari Eason dominating both ends on his way to a 20/10/5/4 BLK stat line and more.
29 min
131
NBA Skills Coach Aaron Miller On Cam Whitmore's...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) to interview special guest NBA Skills Coach Aaron Miller (@EBTMiller on Twitter & elitebballtraining on Instagram) on working with Cam Whitmore, what the pre-Draft process was like, who Cam is as a person, his most underrated skill, how Whitmore will fit in with the young Rockets core, differentiating workout plans for young guys vs. veterans, the life of an NBA skills coach, other players he's worked with (including Rockets fan favorite Patrick Beverley) and more.
34 min
132
Latest Houston Rockets Reports & Rumors: John L...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss the latest Houston Rockets reports and rumors, including head coach Ime Udoka officially announcing his staff, John Lucas joining the front office, why Jabari Smith Jr. & Tari Eason are likely on the Rockets Summer League roster, Jock Landale's recent interview with ESPN Australia, Rockets looking to add one more guard via free agency, and Jae'Sean Tate's role on this team moving forward.
34 min
133
Grading Houston Rockets Free Agency: Fred VanVl...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Frank (@ftank58) from Rockets Chop Shop to grade the Houston Rockets Free Agency moves so far (Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, Jock Landale, and Jeff Green) as well as tackling the topic of asset management and how Houston mismanaged it's resources coming into this offseason, forcing trades for players like KJ Martin & TyTy Washington, and lastly the two tackle Jalen Green's harsh new reality on the Rockets moving forward.
36 min
134
Houston Rockets Free Agency & Trades: Dillon Br...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and breaks down the newest Houston Rockets Free Agency moves, including the signings of Dillon Brooks (4years/$80M), Jock Landale (4years/$32M), and Jeff Green (1year/$6M) and the impact they will have moving forward, how negotiations fell apart with Brook Lopez and forced Houston to pivot to other names, the news that the third year of Fred VanVleet's deal is a team option, the outgoing names of KJ Martin, TyTy Washington, Josh Christopher, Usman Garuba and why these players were ultimately moved, how Houston could still be active depending on the structure of some of their agreed upon deals and more.
33 min
135
Houston Rockets Sign Fred VanVleet At 3-Years $...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and breaks down the Houston Rockets signing guard Fred VanVleet to a 3-year, $130 million deal as their first major move of free agency. What VanVleet ultimately brings to the Houston Rockets both on AND off the court, how he fits with the current team, why this was Houston's biggest priority this offseason, the pivot from James Harden to FVV, why the contact might be better than it actually seems, Brook Lopez staying with the Milwaukee Bucks and how that impacts next steps for Houston and more.
25 min
136
Houston Rockets Free Agency Rumors: Fred VanVle...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss the latest Houston Rockets reports and rumors on the eve of NBA Free Agency, starting with the team picking up the team option on KJ Martin's deal and what that says about his future in Houston, Daishen Nix being waived, Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks at the top of the Rockets free agent wishlist, is Brook Lopez still in play, could we see one of Jae'Sean Tate or Kevin Porter Jr. traded ahead of the start of free agency, final predictions for what happens with Houston's cap space and more.
41 min
137
Houston Rockets Free Agency Reports & Rumors: A...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) to preview Houston Rockets Free Agency and the available guards on the market this offseason, including Austin Reaves, Fred VanVleet, Bruce Brown, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jordan Clarkson, their potential fits on the Rockets, what each player would bring to the team, contract cost/market value and more.
37 min
138
Houston Rockets Free Agency Reports & Rumors: K...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Frank (@ftank58) from Rockets Chop Shop to preview Houston Rockets Free Agency and the available wing players on the market this offseason, including Khris Middleton, Cam Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Grant Williams, and Dillon Brooks, their potential fits on the Rockets, what each player would bring to the team, contract cost/market value and more.
39 min
139
Houston Rockets Introduce Amen Thompson & Cam W...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses and reacts to the Houston Rockets introductory press conference for rookies Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore, sharing their best moments from the presser, what some of Amen and Cam's answers tell us about them, head coach Ime Udoka's vision for how to balance all the young guys while still adding veterans in free agency, jersey number reveal and more.
32 min
140
How Will Houston Rockets Balance Youth Vs Vets,...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses Amen Thompson's basketball IQ and stories showing how much of a basketball junkie and hoops nerd he actually is and how that will help him a ton at the next level, how will the Rockets balance you and development vs. adding veterans this offseason, the current roster logjam at the wing and who likely gets moved to make space, NBA Vegas Summer League schedule drop with Amen Thompson and Scoot Henderson set to face off in the first game, Victor Wembanyama's "Bricktorgate" and more.
30 min
141
Houston Rockets Draft Amen Thompson & Cam Whitm...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets selecting Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in the 2023 NBA Draft, what Amen brings as the possible future engine of the Rockets, why Cam slid all the way to pick 20, an example of another player who slid on draft night due to physical concerns, how Amen and Cam fit in Houston, draft night stories, press conference quotes and more.
30 min
142
Should Houston Rockets Target Draymond Green Or...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Frank (@ftank58) from Rockets Chop Shop to discuss if the Houston Rockets should target Draymond Green or Kristaps Porzingis this offseason, how each of those players would fit on this Rockets team, why Draymond coming to Houston on a short deal makes sense for both sides, why the Washington Wizards might be open to a Porzingis trade on the cheap after trading Bradley Beal, plus Houston's trade options with the 20th pick in this year's NBA Draft.
31 min
143
Amen Thompson Crushes Houston Rockets Workout A...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss Jackson's report that Amen Thompson crushed his workout with the Houston Rockets, leaving them very impressed with his potential to be a high-level playmaker and versatile defender, why all signs are pointing toward Amen being the pick for Houston at No. 4, how the Rockets can balance Amen's rookie season while still adding a veteran point guard presence, and if Cam Whitmore is actually still in play for the fourth pick.
34 min
144
Jalen Green Stronger, Alperen Sengun Taller, Ho...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses the latest Houston Rockets rumors and trade news, starting with Jalen Green getting stronger and Alperen Sengun getting taller, Aaron Miles still in the mix for an assistant coaching role, another angle in how the Rockets might pursue Zion Williamson, expectations for free agency and why the James Harden buzz has calmed down and more.
30 min
145
Should Houston Rockets Trade For Pelicans Star ...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses the Houston Rockets possibly exploring Zion Williamson trade options, reasons both for and against Zion, what a trade would likely have to look like, why the New Orleans Pelicans seem ready to move on from him, his fit alongside guys like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and more.
28 min
146
BONUS EPISODE: 2023 NBA Mock Draft Picks 1-5: H...
55 min
147
Kyrie Irving Instead Of James Harden? + Should ...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Frank (@ftank58) from Rockets Chop Shop to react to and discuss the news that the Houston Rockets might pivot to Kyrie Irving(!?) if things don't work out with James Harden and how that would be a terrible idea for where this team is at right now, then the two discuss trade down possibilities with the 4th pick in the NBA Draft inspired by the report that the Orlando Magic are looking to trade into the "3-5 range" and if trading down ultimately makes sense for Houston given how little the gap in talent is from pick 4 onwards.
31 min
148
Could Houston Rockets Get Scoot Henderson At Pi...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by Locked On NBA Draft Insider and host of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast Rafael Barlowe (@Barlowe500) to discuss the latest NBA Draft intel and rumors, how the top of draft is shaking out, why Scoot Henderson's stock appears to be falling and the chances he's available to the Houston Rockets at pick 4, how locked in Houston is on one of Amen or Ausar Thompson, how ready the twins are for NBA action, the role a possible James Harden return plays in how the Rockets approach this year's draft, Cam Whitmore as a dark horse selection for Houston and more.
35 min
149
Should The Houston Rockets Trade For Chris Paul...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses the news that the Phoenix Suns intend to trade or waive Chris Paul, how trading for CP3 might make more sense than pursuing James Harden in free agency, what acquiring Paul would look like, why the Suns are even considering this route, and how Daryl Morey and the Sixers might be able to throw a wrench into the idea.
28 min
150
James Harden "Torn" Between Houston Rockets & P...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss the report that James Harden is "torn" between coming home to the Houston Rockets or staying with the Philadelphia 76ers, the feeling that him staying in Philly is the more likely outcome at this point, Houston's interest in Fred VanVleet as a backup option if Harden doesn't happen, other free agency names linked to the Rockets and ways to get creative with cap space this offseason.
39 min