Rockets Need Fred VanVleet vs. Warriors

Fred VanVleet gives the Houston Rockets something nobody else can.
Dec 5, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA;  Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) defends against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Dec 5, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors center Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) defends against Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images / John Hefti-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are getting ready for tomorrow's NBA Cup quarterfinal as they take on the Golden State Warriors at home, and they could benefit from veteran point guard Fred VanVleet's return.

While Amen Thompson would likely do a good job in his place like he did in Sunday's win against the Los Angeles Clippers, in a playoff-like game, VanVleet gives the Rockets something that nobody else on the roster can give — championship experience.

"VanVleet cemented his budding stardom against Golden State in the 2019 NBA Finals, averaging 14.0 PPG off the bench and playing tough defense as the Toronto Raptors won the title. Then one of the youngest Raptors contributors, VanVleet is now the experienced hand on a young Houston team that will look to him for clutch playmaking," ESPN's Kevin Pelton writes.

The championship pedigree VanVleet brings is a big reason why the Rockets signed him as a free agent in the summer of 2023 and games like this are exactly the example of moments where the former NBA champion can make his money.

With a trip to Vegas for the semifinals on the line, the Rockets will need everyone to lock in as VanVleet leads the ship, hopefully as the team's floor general and not just as a voice on the sideline.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.