The Houston Rockets have to hope that returning home to Space City will be the jolt they need to get back into their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers.
While hope springs eternal, one prominent NBA analyst believes this “dysfunctional group” is already condemned to a disappointing playoff exit.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins went in on the Rockets during an appearance on the “Road Trippin’” podcast, where he called Houston “embarrassing to watch” as the Lakers’ JJ Redick “coach(es) circles” around the Rockets’ Ime Udoka.
“The Rockets look like a pile of s—,” Perkins said. “They’re a dysfunctional group. They’re embarrassing to watch. The Lakers came into this series as a heavy underdog … (Alperen) Sengun is looking like a liability offensive and defensively. Kevin Durant comes back pouting, bad body language, complaining (and) yelling at his teammates.”
Kendrick Perkins GOES IN on the Rockets 👀
“The Rockets look like a pile of sh*t. Starting with their coach all the way down. They’re a dysfunctional group. They’re embarrassing to watch…. Sengun is looking like a liability offensively and defensively… Kevin Durant comes back… https://t.co/gHwUazpOh4 pic.twitter.com/rLj0MehJl2
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 23, 2026
Perkins contrasted the Rockets’ dynamic with the Lakers, as LeBron James has continued to defy Father Time while empowering trade deadline acquisition Luke Kennard — whose 3-point shooting has been a thorn in Houston’s side.
“One team looks fully prepared, and the other team (doesn’t),” Perkins said. “Every Lakers player knows their role.”
As the Rockets’ season starts to narrow, the perception of the team within national media couldn’t be lower. Only time will tell as to whether Durant, Sengun and Udoka can turn it around.
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