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
51
Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun & Jabari Smith Jr B...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to react to and discuss the Houston Rockets young trio of Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. dominating and closing out Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in what felt like a "coming of age" game. How the Rockets defensive gameplan worked AGAIN against Jokic, more two-man game between Jalen and Sengun, Jalen being more aggressive offensively, Sengun nearly matching Jokic in the rebounding department, Jabari holding Aaron Gordon to 0/12 shooting, Rockets improves to BEST DEFENSE IN THE ENTIRE NBA and more.
37 min
52
Jalen Green Posters Jaren Jackson Jr. & Ignites...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses Jalen Green dropping 34 points in the Houston Rockets 111-92 blowout win against the Memphis Grizzlies, sparked by his INSANE poster dunk over Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to end the third quarter. How Jalen's approach was different in this game after his recent struggles, getting help from Ime Udoka and Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. holding it down until Jalen showed up in the second half, limiting the Grizzlies offense, Alperen Sengun and Dillon Brooks struggling for different reasons and more.
29 min
53
Why Ime Udoka Benched Jalen Green In Houston Ro...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets third straight close loss on their West Coast swing, 121-116 to the Golden State Warriors, and Ime Udoka's decision to bench Jalen Green for the entire fourth quarter. Why did Udoka bench Jalen, is this a major issue or something that can be fixed going forward, Alperen Sengun's continued dominance even while playing through injury, how the Rockets were able to keep up with the Warriors despite Golden State shooting almost 50% from three, Jabari Smith Jr.'s steady improvement and possibly untapped potential offensively and more.
34 min
54
Alperen Sengun Battles LeBron James Late As Hou...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets heartbreaking loss to LeBron James & the Los Angeles Lakers 105-104. Alperen Sengun going head-to-head with LeBron in the closing moments, Fred VanVleet dishing out a season-high 16 assists, Dillon Brooks drilling SIX threes and getting inside LeBron's head, the two main reasons the Rockets lost this game, offense cratering without Sengun in the third quarter due to foul trouble, the desperate need for a serviceable backup big man, why Jalen Green NEEDS to be better and more.
33 min
55
Jalen Green, Houston Rockets Blown Chances To W...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets heartbreaking 106-100 loss to the LA Clippers, delivered by James Harden with a dagger four-point play in the closing moments. Why the Rockets struggled offensively against the Clippers, too many blown chances late and young mistakes over the course of the game, officials completely one-sided in favor of the Clippers all night, stellar defense from Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason, bench play saving the starters, keeping Houston in it and more.
35 min
56
How Ime Udoka Turned Houston Rockets Around, CO...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by special guest RocketsWatch Host Roosh Williams (@RooshWilliams) to discuss how head coach Ime Udoka has turned the Houston Rockets organization around, the specific things Udoka provides as a coach that the Rockets were missing with Stephen Silas, including examples from Jabari Smith Jr. and his recent appearance on FanDuelTV, unlocking Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green on BOTH sides of the basketball, Coach of the Year award odds and more.
35 min
57
Jabari Smith Jr.'s Winning Mentality, How Ime U...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses Jabari Smith Jr.'s incredibly mature response to not closing the last couple of Houston Rockets games against the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets, how the mentality will serve him moving forward, the Rockets slow pace of play NOT being a side effect of good defense and how Ime Udoka believes they can increase pace without just running more in transition, the upcoming West Coast road schedule and predictions for the matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers, LA Lakers, and Golden State Warriors and more.
27 min
58
Why Houston Rockets Defense Is So Good, Alperen...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) to discuss why the Houston Rockets defense has been so good to start this season with stats that help paint the picture, Rockets national media narrative shifting into positive territory, Alperen Sengun as the team's standout player so far, Zach LaVine rumors and whether or not Houston should pursue him (or any other) type of "all-in" move and more.
37 min
59
Alperen Sengun Duels Nikola Jokic As Houston Ro...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to react to and discuss the Houston Rockets earning their sixth straight win and outlasting Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets 107-104. Alperen Sengun dueling Jokic all night long, Jalen Green impacting the game despite shooting just 1-of-13, Jeff Green quarterbacking the defense late and hitting big shots, Fred VanVleet guiding the Rockets to the win in the fourth quarter, Jae'Sean Tate with the game-winning steal to close things out, winning the non-Jokic minutes, what this win says about this Rockets team and more.
37 min
60
Fred VanVleet Calls Game With CLUTCH Threes In ...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets 104-101 nail biter win against the New Orleans Pelicans where Fred VanVleet stepped up late hitting a pair of insanely clutch three-pointers to secure the game. How Rockets rallied late in the game, defensive adjustments to slow down Zion Williamson, Alperen Sengun playing through injury and still sacrificing his body to make winning defensive plays late, Dillon Brooks slowing down Zion and Brandon Ingram even with foul trouble, Jalen Green getting to the free-throw line with ease, Jabari Smith Jr. benched to close the game and more.
39 min
61
Dillon Brooks DPOY Candidate? + How Will Housto...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses Houston Rockets ace defender Dillon Brooks' chances at winning Defensive Player of the Year this NBA season, supported by the Rockets vast defensive improvement and ALSO the Memphis Grizzlies massive defensive regression, why sending Cam Whitmore down to the G League was the right move, and how will the Rockets adjust without Alperen Sengun against the New Orleans Pelicans.
29 min
62
Jalen Green Scores 28 & Houston Rockets Defense...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets 128-94 win against the Los Angeles Lakers, improving the team to 4-3 and above .500 for the first time in 1005(!) days. Dillon Brooks and the Rockets defense slowing down LeBron James, why the Rockets winning these games is sustainable, Jalen Green playing with confidence and scoring an incredibly efficient 28 points on 15 shots including a steal and an insane dunk, Alperen Sengun bullying Christian Wood down low, Fred VanVleet struggling to shoot but dishing out 10 assists, Jae'Sean Tate as another primary LeBron defender also adding a scoring punch off the bench, Uncle Jeff Green turning back the clock and more.
34 min
63
How Houston Rockets Dominated Sacramento Kings,...
31 min
64
Dillon Brooks & Jalen Green Take Over Game Late...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to discuss the Houston Rockets near wire-to-wire blowout win against the Sacramento Kings 107-89. Fred VanVleet's early facilitating, matching the Kings physicality, Alperen Sengun versus Domantas Sabonis, surviving the third quarter with DEFENSE, Dillon Brooks taking over the scoring in the fourth, Jalen Green's playmaking to close things out and more.
36 min
65
Expectations, Key Matchups & More As Alperen Se...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by Matt George (@MattGeorgeSAC), host of Locked On Kings, to preview and discuss the pair of upcoming games between the Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings this Saturday and Monday, tackling topics like expectations for both teams, biggest storylines heading into the games, key matchups like Alperen Sengun against Domantas Sabonis and Jalen Green versus Davion Mitchell, how Sacramento plays without De'Aaron Fox, whether the Rockets newfound defense can slow down the Kings offense and so much more.
38 min
66
Houston Rockets Trade Targets After Amen Thomps...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses the Houston Rockets bench depth issues now being compounded by Amen Thompson's injury (likely to miss 4-6 weeks) and possible trade targets the team should look at, including Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz, Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet, Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, New York Knicks guard Evan Fournier, and Portland Trailblazers guard Malcolm Brogdon, the likelihood and possibility of each target, cost, trade proposals or if the team should just hold off and see what Aaron Holiday can do with the backup guard minutes, Tari Eason update and more.
32 min
67
How Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green & Houston Rocket...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets securing the first win of the NBA season 128-119 against the Charlotte Hornets behind some BLISTERING hot three-point shooting. Ball movement leading to high quality offensive looks, some insane shot-making masking Rockets mistakes, building leads of 18 and 15 but letting them slip away due to inexperience, Fred VanVleet highlighting Alperen Sengun's ability to be a "go-to" bucket for the team, Dillon Brooks calling out mental lapses from Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson leaving the game early with a grade 2 ankle sprain, how the Rockets will fill Amen's minutes moving forward and more.
36 min
68
Defense, Bench Issues, Houston Rockets Go-To Gu...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) to discuss three major lessons through the first three games of the Houston Rockets season, including a new defensive identity forming despite what the results look like so far, questions surrounding who the "go-to" guy is for this team offensively and in late-game situations, and the clear need for upgrades to the second unit and ways the Rockets can improve that group.
38 min
69
Fred VanVleet & Dillon Brooks No Answer For Ste...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost and NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to discuss the Houston Rockets 106-95 loss to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors and how despite now being 0-3 there were A LOT of positives from this game. Going down by as many as 16 early and fighting back to take the lead in the fourth quarter, Dillon Brooks fantastic defense on Steph through 3.5 quarters, Jae'Sean Tate with a massive impact off the bench during the comeback run, Jabari Smith Jr. with an impressive bounce back game after his struggles against the Spurs, Fred VanVleet major struggles against Warriors defense and owning up to it postgame, offense still feeling incredibly clunky at times with no clear hierarchy, is this team progressing in the right direction and more.
41 min
70
Alperen Sengun Battles Victor Wembanyama As San...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets 126-122 heartbreaking overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs in which big men Alperen Sengun and Victor Wembanyama battled throughout the game. Houston with many chances to close out the game and unable to capitalize, some questionable officiating throughout the evening, fantastic performances from all the starters minus Jabari Smith Jr. who had multiple chances to seal the game late but unfortunately couldn't. Alperen Sengun DOMINANT throughout the night on both ends, including a POSTER slam over Zach Collins, Fred VanVleet with a stellar 24/8/12 outing, Dillon Brooks clamping up on defense, Jalen Green with a nice bounceback game, but inconsistent scoring throughout and more.
33 min
71
EXCLUSIVE: Houston Rockets Rookie Amen Thompson...
Jackson Gatlin (@LockedOnRockets) sits down with Houston Rockets rookie Amen Thompson to discuss thoughts heading into his first season, his growing relationship with head coach Ime Udoka, shooting growth working with assistant coach Ben Sullivan, chemistry with Jalen Green, what he looks for during film study and more.
5 min
72
Jalen Green, Jabari Smith & Amen Thompson Strug...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) reacts to and discusses the Houston Rockets opening night 116-86 blowout loss against the Orlando Magic, why fans shouldn't overreact to just one game, the two reasons the Rockets lost this game, Alperen Sengun keeping the team alive in the first half, Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks showing up during Houston's third quarter run, struggling with Orlando's size, needing A LOT more from Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr., game one rookie struggles for Amen Thompson and more.
35 min
73
Houston Rockets Season Preview P2, Jalen Green ...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohosts Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) AND NBA Draft enthusiast Madison Moore (@MadManLeaks) to preview the Houston Rockets season, discussing offensive and defensive expectations, Alperen Sengun defensive improvements, who the Rockets "X-Factor" is between Jalen Green & Jabari Smith Jr., a handful of BOLD predictions involving Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, the playoffs and more.
40 min
74
Houston Rockets Season Preview, Questions For J...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohosts Rockets Wire Editor Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) AND Frank (@ftank58) from Rockets Chop Shop to preview the Houston Rockets season, discussing what we learned from preseason, biggest questions heading into the year, most important storylines to watch for involving Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and others, predictions and more.
46 min
75
Tari Eason Injury Update, Houston Rockets Final...
Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) discusses Tari Eason's injury update and how the Rockets will likely distribute his minutes while he is out, final roster updates including the choice to keep Boban Marjanovic over Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as well as Nate Williams & Nate Hinton claiming two-spots, and some important preseason stats that paint the picture of who this Rockets team will be this season.
31 min