Paulo Alves

So, yeah, I'm pretty confident in that, but I don't think that they are in different tiers.

I think they are within the same tier as far as opponents.

Not as teams, obviously they are within the same tier as teams because of their record.

I mean, from the Rockets' perspective, I don't favor any of them too much over the others, but if I had to order them, that's how it would go.

I do think with Minnesota, there's something about Alper and Shingun against Rudy Gobert that seems to bring out the best in Alfie, but I don't know.

If Shingun's as hot as he's been lately, perhaps that's an advantage for you no matter what.

It's just, for all the pessimism over that last Minnesota game, the look in Shingun's eye when he went to work against Rudy, that's the one thing.

I do think

having an incentivized Shingun and perhaps the playoffs will do that no matter what that's a huge variable for the Rockets so for all the difficulties of that matchup and your points on Ant are valid I mentioned Jaden McDaniels on KD but I do think Shingun against Rudy and bringing out the best in Shingun that might be a little thing to tip the scales the other way I think to your point on home versus road I looked up I think the biggest reason for the split two of your young guys and it makes sense young guys often uh

shoot better at home than on the road.

Reed Shepard at home, 42% on threes.

On the road, 36%.

Jabari Smith Jr., 38% at home, 34% on the road.

So Jabari and Reed both are shooting much better in Toyota Center than away from Houston.

So I think that that's just a little thing, but it makes sense.

Young players, especially young role players, tend to play better at home.

And if you get the best version of Jabari and Reed, that can go a long way towards giving you a chance to win a playoff series against a good team.

Final topic I want to get to before we close out, and we'll be quick here.

I won't do a full-blown segment, but there is some positive news, undisputably positive news, on the Houston basketball scene, and that's the return of the Houston Comets.

It's been rumored for some time, but now that the WNBA has a new CBA for this season and beyond...