The Houston Rockets unveiled a new pregame hype video at Toyota Center on Thursday as part of player introductions immediately before the team’s opening game of the 2019-20 NBA regular season.
As one might expect, the video compilation heavily features former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winners James Harden and Russell Westbrook, with Thursday’s game serving as Westbrook’s regular-season debut in Houston after his offseason acquisition from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Westbrook was the first to be introduced in the new starting five, followed by forward Danuel House Jr., center Clint Capela, forward P.J. Tucker, and last but certainly not least, Harden. Entering his eighth season in Houston, Harden naturally got the loudest ovation — but Westbrook wasn’t far behind, given the buzz of his debut.
The MVP chants from Houston fans were quite loud after introductions, especially since the Rockets and their MVP backcourt were facing off with the Milwaukee Bucks and 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo during Thursday’s game.
The Rockets will continue their eason-opening homestand with matchups Saturday night versus New Orleans and Monday night against the Thunder. Monday’s game will be Westbrook’s first game against his old team, and it will also be Chris Paul‘s initial return to Houston after he was sent out as part of the Westbrook trade.
