
Ben DuBose, longtime Rockets media member, writer, and podcast host, discusses the 2026-27 Rockets season with Paulo Alves and special guests. Basketball topics include the performance of star players such as Kevin Durant, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun; potential transactions in 2026 and beyond; weekly game recaps; and much more.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 245 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BasketballSports | |||

Marcus Smart and Jabari Smith Jr. had impressive showings, but the short-handed Rockets didn’t have enough firepower to keep pace with the Mavericks in Sunday’s 132-115 exhibition loss. With that result, Dallas and Houston split their two-game presea... more
With 17 points, 7 assists, five 3-pointers, and only one turnover, Fred VanVleet was dynamic in his return from injury as Houston opened its preseason by routing the Dallas Mavericks.
Featuring Ben DuBose and Dave Hardisty, Friday’s “ClutchFans Live... more
Training camp is now underway for the 2026-27 Rockets, and Houston’s roster appears deeper and better thanks to the offseason addition of Marcus Smart and the healthy returns of Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams to on-court activity.
Hosted by Ben DuBo... more
In Wednesday’s show, Ben DuBose (USA TODAY’s Rockets Wire) and Dave Hardisty (ClutchFans) break down the key takeaways and themes as Houston opens training camp for its 2026-27 season.
Topics include why Fred VanVleet (with a new knee) and Tari Easo... more
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Ben’s insights are good, but he repeats himself as nauseum, sometimes even using the exact same phrases. I don’t mind longer pods, but it is exhausting to hear the same argument 4 times in a row with nothing else added. If you hear him say “again”, just fast forward 90 seconds. Paolo is much better in this regard, but doesn’t have as much insight.
Ben is the best Rockets analyst imo
👍
Can hardly understand Paulo and his takes are too biased driven. Would much prefer a solo Ben pod.
I like the Podcast, it‘s interesting and insightful but paolo alves is difficult to understand i know he isn‘t a nativ speaker but that is very unfortunate since the most important thing in a podcast is speaking. If it wasn‘t for that it would get 5 stars from me.
Further criticism update 19.12.24
Since i am only interested in basketball and not houston sports in generall (i am from europe) i don‘t like the topics where the texans or astros are being discussed since this podcast is advertised ... more
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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The show delivers in-depth, data-driven analysis of the Houston Rockets, focusing on roster development, front-office decisions, and the team's long-term trajectory. Episodes frequently dissect offseason planning, draft outcomes, free-agent moves, and cap considerations, while also weighing branding, marketing strategies, and fan engagement. A standout is the host duo's willingness to blend tactical basketball insight with business and acquisition discussions, often referencing real-world cap mechanics, player development, and the evolving Western Conference landscape. The format tends toward brisk, analytically rigorous takes with occasional guests, making it valuable for listeners who want practical perspectives on building a competitive,... more
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Rockets LaunchPod launched 4 years ago and published 245 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on Rockets LaunchPod include:
1. Kevin Durant
2. Tari Eason
3. Fred VanVleet
4. Bruce Thornton
5. Alperen Sengun
6. Clint Capela
7. Reed Sheppard
8. Bogdan Bogdanović
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