Carmelo Anthony has dismissed the idea that the Houston Rockets are a sleeper team in the Western Conference, stating they are simply 'supposed to be there.' The comments come as the Rockets build momentum in the preseason, most recently posting a dominant 116-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 15, 2026.
On a recent episode of the '7PM in Brooklyn' podcast, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony addressed the Rockets' rising profile. He directly countered the notion that Houston is an under-the-radar contender. "I don’t think Houston is a sleeper," Anthony said. "They are supposed to be there." This perspective places immediate expectations on a young Rockets core that includes Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson. Veterans like Fred VanVleet are also counted on to provide leadership.
The team's on-court performance is giving fans reasons for optimism. Their preseason schedule has shown both promise and areas for growth. After a high-scoring 135-117 road win against the Dallas Mavericks on October 9, the Rockets stumbled in a 132-115 loss to the same opponent on October 11. These games are testing Ime Udoka's rotations and defensive schemes ahead of the real action.
Integrating a superstar like Kevin Durant is always a process, but his second year in Houston is expected to yield more consistent results. The young players, including Jabari Smith Jr. and rookie Reed Sheppard, are using these exhibition games to find their roles. The preseason results are a mixed bag, but the dominant win over OKC suggests the pieces are starting to fit.
Anthony's comments reflect a shifting narrative. The Rockets are no longer seen as a simple rebuilding project. After finishing as the fifth seed and a first-round playoff exit last season, the goal is now a deeper postseason run. The roster has too much talent to fly under the radar. With Durant leading the scoring, Sengun controlling the paint, and Thompson's athleticism on the perimeter, the offensive potential is significant.
The key will be translating individual talent into consistent team success. VanVleet's job is to steady the backcourt and improve ball movement. Coach Udoka has a deep bench at his disposal, which should help manage minutes and matchups over an 82-game grind. The pressure is on, but this group appears built to handle it.
Houston has one more preseason test to fine-tune their operation before the regular season tips off. They will host the Dallas Mavericks at home on October 21, 2026, offering a final chance to build rhythm against a conference rival. After that, all focus shifts to the official games that count in the standings.
The organization and its fans are eager to see if this squad can meet the raised expectations that voices like Carmelo Anthony are now setting. The preseason has provided glimpses of their high ceiling. Now the real work begins.
