The Houston Rockets finished in the Western Conference cellar for the third straight year in their extended rebuild in 2022-23, and perhaps more concerning than the flood of losses was the increasing criticism of the franchise league-wide.
Both current and former players took the opportunity to criticize Houston's lack of veteran talent and voice during the season, including former Rockets and current Timberwolves guard Austin Rivers, as well as TNT analyst Kenny Smith. Additional media members from outlets such as ESPN and The Athletic detailed signs of an eroding culture in Houston, in which the losses took an increasing toll on the team and coach Stephen Silas in particular.