The Rockets' Christmas List Includes More Connected Offense

The Houston Rockets have shown that it isn't likely they'll have a single player who can lead the team's playmaking and creation duties. The entire team will need to contribute to the overall assists to keep the offense flowing at a high level.

Dec 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (14) during the third quarter at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Houston Rockets have some glaring issues with their game plan as they have struggled to consistently pick up wins this season. Houston's inabilty to create open shots for their most effective players has led to their downfall, as Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun have had to put on a hero cape to lead Houston's offense in most games.

Without Fred VanVleet, the Rockets need to have more connectivity on the offensive end, using each of their pieces to create shots around the floor. If the ball doesn't start moving quicker, the Rockets may become too easy to guard by even weaker teams.

Houston has given more responsibility to Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard this season when it comes to having the ball in their hands.

While this may have helped both players increase their scoring load somewhat, it has had varying impact on the creation for other players. Neither are naturally elite passers, despite having certain tools and skills that can be considered elite.

Thompson's athleticism and Sheppard's ability to create his own shot are elements that could become vital down the line once both players develop.

For now, neither player is ready to become a full-time creator or playmaker for the offense, leaving most of the responsibility with Durant and Sengun.

While Durant is mainly focused on creating shots for himself, Sengun has been tasked with being the team's best playmaker. He has had to open the floor for his teammates with th threat of his own scoring, and he's the only player with the passing creativity and unpredictability to be a legitimate threat with his passing.

Sengun alone isn't enough to solve Houston's playmaking issues, despite his excellence in that part of his game. The Rockets must find a way to keep the ball moving quickly and keep opposing defenses off-balance due to their passing.

Even teams with a double-digit-assist passer, like last year's Indiana Pacers, move the ball around ot make their team harder to guard against elite defenses.

Defenses can load up against a team focusing on one-on-one play like the Rockets currently are. However, they'll never be able to create enough offense from Durant and Sengun isolations alone. Even the contributions from Thompson and Sheppard in isolation won't be enough to do true damage when it matters.

The Rockets must find a way to overhaul their entire offense. It's currently not connected enough and entirely too predictable.