What's The 'Worst Nightmare' For Houston Rockets Fans?

Will the patience of Houston Rockets fans finally be fulfilled this season?

Can the Houston Rockets become relevant again in the Western Conference?

After going on a spending spree to add Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks and bringing in Ime Udoka to be the head coach, the Rockets should be much improved, though being in the playoff picture seems like a stretch. 

Even if playoff aspirations are unrealistic in a crowded Western Conference, the Rockets can still have a successful season if VanVleet and Brooks live up to their contracts and help mentor the team's young core. But what would be the worst-case scenario for Houston and its fans?

Bleacher Report broke down every fanbase's "worst nightmare." For Houston, its nightmare scenario was its "young talent stagnates."

"What happens, then, if the franchise doesn't detect any discernible growth from players like Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason?" BR writes. 

"Those are the ones ultimately responsible for getting this organization where it wants to go, so if they can't take a collective step forward, it might be back to the drawing board for this front office."

Houston's young core holds the key to its success this season. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason will all need to take some semblance of a step forward and prove that the Rockets can build around them for the future. 

Jabari Smith (1) shooting a jump shot over Jamal Murray (27) / Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Green led Houston in points per game (22.1) last season and should remain the focal point of the offense even with the addition of VanVleet. 

Smith's ability to improve from beyond the 3-point line after being ninth on the team while shooting 30.7 percent from three last season is pivotal toward his growth. 

Sengun was a rebound shy of averaging a double-double in 2022-23. Averaging a double-double in his third season would further cement his role in the Rockets' future, while Eason continues to improve defensively after averaging 1.2 steals last season could form a solid duo between him and Brooks.  

The Rockets haven't won more than 22 games in a season since 2019-2020 and have gone 59-177 in that span. Any semblance of growth this season after three straight abysmal years would be a promising sign. 

But if Houston's young core fails to improve in its first year under Udoka, it may be a fourth straight nightmare season for them and its fanbase.