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Artwork for Rockets LaunchPod

Rockets LaunchPod

Ben DuBose
Houston Rockets
Alperen Sengun
Kevin Durant
NBA
Jalen Green
Amen Thompson
Jabari Smith Jr.
Fred Vanvleet
Tari Eason
Reed Sheppard
Steven Adams
NBA Playoffs
NBA Draft
Golden State Warriors
Ime Udoka
Oklahoma City Thunder
Western Conference
Cam Whitmore
Dorian Finney-Smith
Phoenix Suns

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes233Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BasketballSports

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Artwork for Rockets LaunchPod

Latest Episodes

The dog days of the NBA offseason are officially here, so we’re talking over-under lines and looking ahead to the start of training camp in late September.

As part of Tuesday’s episode, our Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves offer insights and predictions r... more

YouTube

Varun Shankar, Rockets beat writer for the Houston Chronicle, joins Ben DuBose, Dave Hardisty, and Paulo Alves to analyze and rank Houston’s current stockpile of players and future draft assets. The show also includes insight on the team’s 2026 offse... more

YouTube

.The Rockets entered the NBA’s 2026 offseason with a clear shooting deficiency, and their most important acquisition to try and fix that may not be a player.

In Tuesday’s show, Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves break down all the implications of Houston hi... more

YouTube

The Rockets are off to a 3-1 start at summer league, and Bruce Thornton and Isaiah Crawford are each showing promising signs for an NBA future.

In Wednesday’s show, our Ben DuBose, Paulo Alves, and Dave Hardisty (Editor of ClutchFans) share key take... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Varun Shankar
Rockets Speedwriter for the Houston Chronicle
Houston Chronicle
Episode: Rockets offseason roundtable: Ranking Houston’s current and future assets
Ben DuBose
Rockets Wire writer and longtime Rockets media member
Rockets Wire
Episode: Draft week preview: What options do the Rockets have?
Jose Lopez
Senior Creative Director, Rockets
Houston Rockets
Episode: New-look Rockets: Behind the scenes of uniform, logo changes
Taylor French
Director of Marketing Operations, Rockets
Houston Rockets
Episode: New-look Rockets: Behind the scenes of uniform, logo changes
Stéphane Castel
Special guest mentioned in discussion
Episode: Can Rockets adapt to the NBA’s latest “super team” era?
Dylan Harper
Mentioned as a prospective future star by speakers
Episode: Can Rockets adapt to the NBA’s latest “super team” era?
Matt Thomas
Rockets radio play-by-play announcer
Rockets Radio Network
Episode: Game 5: Matt Thomas calls via Rockets’ radio network
Adam Clanton
Sports commentator on SportsTalk 790
SportsTalk 790
Episode: Rockets 111, Spurs 106: Reed Sheppard leads valiant comeback
David Wiener
Guest brought in to discuss Rockets topics and provide analysis
Episode: Thunder silence Rockets as Houston’s offense lacks firepower

Hosts

Ben DuBose
Host of Rockets LaunchPod; longtime Rockets media member and writer
Paulo Alves
Co-host participating in discussion; analysis and discussion of Rockets topics

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 69 ratings
  • Good but repetitive

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    cmlmel
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best Rockets Podcast

    Ben is the best Rockets analyst imo

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GoRockets100
    United Statesa year ago
  • 👍

    👍

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nordseg
    United Statesa year ago
  • Insightful analysis from Ben, amateur hour from the cohos

    Can hardly understand Paulo and his takes are too biased driven. Would much prefer a solo Ben pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    dshaw3233
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good Podcast but…

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    CjM96CH
    Switzerland2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate insider perspective and confidence in roster-building discussions.
Listeners praise deep, data-driven Rockets analysis while noting occasional repetition from one host.
Some feedback calls out accent/comprehensibility and preference for tighter pacing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#243
Germany/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#56
Indonesia/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#110
Netherlands/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#136
Taiwan/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#148
New Zealand/Sports/Basketball
Apple Podcasts
#156
Sweden/Sports/Basketball

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Consistent inconsistency: Is it time to reset expectations in Houston?
Q: Are we basically getting to a point where it's just get to the playoffs healthy?
I don't think they're out there looking to prove themselves.
Consistent inconsistency: Is it time to reset expectations in Houston?
Q: Paulo, where are you at with this team as far as the big picture?
I do think that this team is still a 55-win team, and I think there are a few things that have worked into, or a combination of factors that have led to this shaky kind of 500 stretch.
Quarter pole review: Key takeaways, questions for 15-6 Rockets
Q: Will the Rockets make a trade using any salary other than minimum guys before the deadline?
It's possible that they will, especially considering Clint Capella's contributions and potential moves related to other players like Fred VanVleet.
Quarter pole review: Key takeaways, questions for 15-6 Rockets
Q: What can the Rockets do to better get Kevin Durant the ball late in games?
They need to find better tactics for ball movement and ensure better screens are set to free Durant, preventing defenses from being overly focused on him.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela in, Cam Whitmore out?
Q: Do you see any other small moves maybe that need to be made in order for anything else to be thought about?
They may need to resolve what to do with Cam Whitmore, potentially considering either integrating him into the rotation or finding a trade for him.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Rockets LaunchPod

What is Rockets LaunchPod about and what kind of topics does it cover?

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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Which podcasts are similar to Rockets LaunchPod?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rockets LaunchPod:

1. Locked On Rockets - Daily Podcast On The Houston Rockets
2. Rockets Collective
3. Rockets Daily | Houston Rockets Daily Podcast
4. Houston Sports Talk
5. Game Theory Podcast

How many episodes of Rockets LaunchPod are there?

Rockets LaunchPod launched 4 years ago and published 233 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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What guests have appeared on Rockets LaunchPod?

Recent guests on Rockets LaunchPod include:

1. Varun Shankar
2. Ben DuBose
3. Jose Lopez
4. Taylor French
5. Stéphane Castel
6. Dylan Harper
7. Matt Thomas
8. Adam Clanton

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