Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka believes he should have two players in heavy consideration. In comments from Friday's team practice, Udoka pointed to fourth-year players Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun as worthy of the Western Conference honor.

We are over halfway through now, and our record is what it is,” Ime Udoka says of the Rockets (32-14). “It is not just a fluke or anything.”

It's tough to get Ime Udoka to laugh on the bench, but Russell Westbrook succeeded when he called Jalen Green a little kid. Westbrook had a good reason, too.

Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) makes a kiss gesture after hitting a 3-pointer against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half on a preseason NBA basketball game on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024 in Houston.

Jalen Green is having another one of his smoldering stretches for the Houston Rockets. Over eight games in January, Green is averaging 30.2 points on 52/48/92 shooting splits. That 48% from 3 is coming on more than nine attempts per game.

Referee J.T. Orr, left, assesses technical fouls to Houston Rockets head coach About Ime Udoka, center, and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Udoka was ejected from the game as that was his second technical foul.

The Houston Rockets are a Jalen Green leap away from contention. That was a common phrase uttered by fans and followers of the team prior to the season. It was

We want to get back to who we are,” Ime Udoka says of the Rockets (29-14) and their commitment to defense. “Not just trying to go score for score.”

Ime Udoka discussed how Alperen Sengun handles the increasing media and fan interest due to his on-court success. “All the losing they did before I got here, and now we are seeing some success.

Shortly after, Westbrook even had Ime Udoka laughing. As captured by television ... Rockets rout Denver, Jalen Green stays hot with 34 points in three quarters

Alperen Sengun on how and why he’s taken an All-Star leap in Houston: “Opportunity, and Ime (Udoka) believing in me. That was the biggest reason.”

The Rockets seem leery of trading for De'Aaron Fox. Will that extend to deals for other veterans that could raise their ceiling by breaking up their young core?