How can Rockets’ offense take the next step?

Friday’s new episode features reaction from Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to the first five games of the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season for the Houston Rockets (1-4).

Relative to 2021-22, the young Rockets have improved from No. 30 in the league to No. 20 in net defensive rating (entering Thursday), but they’ve stagnated at an identical No. 26 spot on offense. With that in mind, Friday’s show explores areas of potential improvement for head coach Stephen Silas, point guard Kevin Porter Jr., and shooting guard Jalen Green.

Other topics include the team’s dependence on Eric Gordon and Garrison Mathews as floor-spacing shooters; early impressions of Jabari Smith Jr. playing minutes at center and the impact of a five-out offense on other players; what to do with the rotation when Alperen Sengun (illness) returns; and which second-year guard — Daishen Nix or Josh Christopher — should get Houston’s final rotation spot.