This Isn't The Rockets' Last Chance To Compete
This Isn't The Rockets' Last Chance To Compete
The Houston Rockets have created an opportunity to have two phases of competitive basketball, despite the pressure they have to win now.Trenton Whiting|
In this story:
Houston RocketsThe Houston Rockets are doing everything they can to create a championship team with Kevin Durant and their current cast of players. Instead of making a big swing like some of Houston's peers, the front office seems content to make moves on the margins to increase the production from the bench.
While winning now is a high priority for the Rockets, they've structured themselves in a way to be able to compete for years to come, even after the Durant era comes to a close.
The Rockets have a wealth of young talent, regardless of what their ceilings may become in their careers. Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson are the team's highest value young players, and some of the team's best players.
Regardless of how high they peak as players, they have a baseline of highly productive players with high upside on the side of the court they are best at. As long as they are on the Rockets, they will be productive contributors because of the skill sets they've already developed in their careers.
The same could be said about some of their teammates, albiet to a lesser extent. Jabari Smith Jr. has proved to be a productive role player, despite needing some improvements with his deep range shooting. Tari Eason is a plus defender, and Reed Sheppard still has some upside as a ball handler and floor spacer.
These young athletes make up a solid core of rotational players that could keep the Rockets competitive after Durant and Fred VanVleet's playing days with the Rockets are over.
There's also the potential that one of these players is able to increase their ceiling and become one of the league's most productive players.
Thompson is already elite on defense, and he has shown real upside on offense without a consistent jump shot. Shooting will likely be a consistent issue for Thompson, but there have been plenty of highly productive guard NBA players without a jumper. All-stars, MVPs and championship-winning lead guards have been able to contribute without one.
Şengün is also a highly creative offensive engine. Increasing his efficiency in the paint and from the free throw line could lead to a significant jump with his scoring per game.
The true value in these players, is that their production is not at the level of an MVP caliber player who will get paid well into the $60 million range. Teams with players of that caliber will eventually have to be more creative with the surrounding cast to keep the team creative.
Unless one of the Rockets takes a large leap, they'll still be able to afford a well rounded team that can compete in the future when financial constraints start affecting the current elite teams. Some will make hard choices and let go of talent, while others will find the next generation of stars through the draft and young players who gain more opportunity.
The Rockets should be right in the mix of those teams because of the financial flexibility they'll likely have with players at a slightly lower price point than the league's best.
Published 9 minutes ago
TRENTON WHITINGTrenton is a Houston-born, Pearland-raised University of Houston graduate who first developed his love for journalism while in school. He began his professional career as a sports reporter for a newspaper in Columbus, Texas, before becoming the managing editor.
Home/News
Sky Sports' Anna Woolhouse 'sparks romance' with Celeb SAS star
Sky Sports' Anna Woolhouse is rumoured to be dating Celeb SAS star Chris Oliver after the pair enjoyed a sweet holiday together in Mallorca over the weekend.
Anna, 42, and Chris, 43, allegedly struck up a connection during 'filming for the latest series of the gruelling Channel 4 show'.
Chris has been one of the strict trainers for over three years after joining the programme in 2023.
The military veteran shared a cosy photo of the pair on Instagram during their lavish romantic break away.
'Thank you for the best weekend [red heart emoji]', Chris captioned his post.
Anna also took to Instagram and shared ab-flashing bikini snaps as she soaked up the sun on a rock in the sea.
Commenting underneath it, Chris said: 'Thank you for the best weekend xxx'
Sky Sports' Anna Woolhouse, 42, is rumoured to be dating Celeb SAS star Chris Oliver, 43, after the pair enjoyed a sweet holiday together in Mallorca over the weekend
The military veteran shared a cosy photo of the pair on Instagram during their lavish romantic break away, before Anna also posted stunning bikini snaps
Anna and Chris allegedly struck up a connection during filming for the latest series of the gruelling Channel 4 show (Chris pictured with Mark 'Billy' Billingham and Jason 'Foxy' Fox)
A source said: It is early days but things are going great between Anna and Chris. Meeting on the set of SAS is hardly romantic as Chris would have been subjecting her to all sorts during the brutal challenges but it seemed that they hit it off regardless.
'They've enjoyed holidays with each other since filming wrapped and they both hope that it can go the distance', they added to The Sun.
The Daily Mail has contacted Anna and Chris' representatives for a comment.
Anna is Sky Sport's leading boxing presenter, covering Sky's pay-per-view and regular coverage.
Earlier this year, Anna split from her Luther star boyfriend Warren Brown three years after debuting their romance.
Warren is best known for his role as DS Justin Ripley in the BBC crime drama Luther and starred on Ten Pound Poms.
The Healthspan Revolution: How Science-Backed Branding is Transforming the Longevity Market
× 
By LA Times Studios Staff Contact June 30, 2026 1:59 PM PT - Click here to listen to this article
- Share via
This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
As the wellness industry shifts its focus from merely extending lifespan to optimizing the quality of those years, a major consumer revolution is taking root. At a recent panel discussion, industry leaders mapped out the future of aging, highlighting how cutting-edge cellular science is moving out of specialized biotech labs and straight into the mainstream consumer market.
Anna Magzanyan, President of LA Times Studios and Nant Games, opened the session by highlighting a fundamental shift in modern wellness tracking. For decades, the industry was obsessed with basic lifespan, but today’s market demands a more vibrant, holistic approach to aging.
“Today I feel like the consumer is flipping the script a little bit,” Magzanyan observed. “They want a healthy life. They want to have the ability to live better, have more energy, mental clarity, vitality throughout the years. Longevity isn’t a futuristic concept, but it’s like the next major, I would say, consumer revolution.”At the center of this movement is NAD+, a critical cellular molecule rapidly gaining mainstream traction. However, in an increasingly crowded and noisy wellness marketplace filled with quick-fix social media trends, cutting through the hype requires strict adherence to scientific truth.
Understanding NAD+ and Cellular Health
To unpack the underlying science of aging, Magzanyan welcomed Mona Rosene, Global Director of Medical and Science Affairs at Niagara Bioscience. Rosene explained that the corporate buzzword of longevity needs to be reframed around “healthspan”—adding quality to years rather than simply extending a baseline timeline.
Rosene delivered an essential primer on NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a crucial molecule found in every cell of the human body that serves two primary functions: ATP energy production and DNA repair. However, our natural supply steeply declines over time.
“NAD will fall, and it falls roughly 65% between 30 and 70,” Rosene warned. When levels drop due to a combination of natural aging and metabolic stressors—such as alcohol consumption, sun exposure, poor diet, overtraining, or travel-induced dehydration—cells can no longer function optimally. To combat this decline, Rosene’s company utilizes Naogaon, an NAD precursor and form of vitamin B3 that serves as a natural building block to natively restore cellular energy.
Cutting Through the Noise with Unbiased Science
With countless longevity brands surfacing on platforms like TikTok, building long-term consumer trust is a major hurdle. Rosene revealed that Niagara Bioscience differentiates itself and outperforms larger supplement players by prioritizing peer-reviewed data over shallow marketing.
- Scientific Transparency: The company backs its ingredients with an external research program spanning over 200 studies, including 45 human trials and over 60 patents.
- Unbiased Publication: “We lead with science,” Rosene stated. “We make sure that it’s unbiased. It’s published regardless of the outcome. So you’ll always see both sides of the story. And by doing that, that builds credibility.”
- Managing Inflammation: Rosene highlighted seven distinct studies proving their product decreases inflammatory markers, helping manage chronic baseline issues before they cause tissue damage.
The Next Frontier: Injections and Skincare
Looking ahead, Niagara Bioscience is actively expanding its portfolio to address how internal aging manifests externally. The company recently launched Nitrogen Plus, a pharma-grade option designed for IVs and injections, alongside Naija Nano Cloud, a specialized skin brand utilizing protected, water-soluble pillows to target fine lines, hydration, and skin texture.
When asked who the ideal audience is for NAD+ supplementation, Rosene suggested starting around age 30, depending heavily on an individual’s lifestyle stressors and activity levels. For those wondering if they have waited too long to begin protecting their cellular health, Rosene offered a reassuring takeaway: “No, better late than never.”
