Houston Rockets’ star Fred VanVleet shared his thoughts on the team’s elimination from the playoffs, emphasizing both the heartbreak of a Game 7 loss and the promising future for the franchise.
VanVleet, who had been a standout throughout the series, spoke candidly about the Rockets’ journey after their 103-89 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. While acknowledging the sting of the loss, he expressed pride in the development of the team’s young players, including Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun.
“I’m extremely proud of these guys. I look at all these guys like my baby brothers, except for they’re not babies anymore,” VanVleet said. “They grew up a lot this year and made huge strides. It’s always tough to lose, but we made incredible progress, and I think we should all be excited about the future.”
The Rockets, who finished the regular season as the Western Conference’s No. 2 seed, were eliminated in the first round despite a strong showing from their young core. VanVleet’s leadership and experience had been vital throughout the season, and he believes the team is on the right track.
On his own future, VanVleet was non-committal regarding his contract situation, but his words pointed to his commitment to the Rockets’ long-term vision. “I’m never going to speak about contract stuff publicly, but this is where I want to be,” he explained. “We’ve set out on a long-term goal, and we’re on schedule. This is a family situation, and I’ve got a lot of love for our coaching staff and the ownership.”
The series against the Warriors had its ups and downs, and VanVleet also took time to reflect on individual performances. Jalen Green, who had an explosive Game 2, struggled to find his rhythm in the final game. However, VanVleet remains confident in his young teammate’s potential. “Every great player has struggled at times,” he noted. “Jalen’s going to be all right. He had an incredible season, and he’ll use this summer to get even better.”
VanVleet also praised Amen Thompson, who was a bright spot for Houston in the series. “Amen really asserted himself in the second half of the series,” VanVleet said. “He’s starting to problem-solve in real time, and his athleticism is a huge asset for us.”
The 2024-25 season was an important one for the Rockets, but the loss to the Warriors marks a critical learning moment for the franchise. VanVleet, who played alongside some of the league’s best players in previous years, recognizes the importance of using such experiences to fuel growth.
As for the future, VanVleet’s message is clear: the Rockets will continue to build, and the lessons learned in this playoff series will guide them forward.
