Houston Rockets' Young Guns Rolling: Improve to 5-0 in Vegas

If Houston fans are worried about next season, maybe they can be optimistic about the future state of the franchise.

Today the Rockets disposed of the Lakers in their fifth summer league game to improve to 5-0. They beat the Lakers 92-77.

Chase Budinger came off the bench but played substantial minutes, turning in 25 points on 7-9 shooting, including a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line.

Budinger has been shining in the summer league, and has been doing so under the radar. Nobody seems to be talking about his 17.8 points per game average.

He is mainly coming off the bench, but he has been getting most of the playing time in the front court.

What is most impressive is Budinger's shooting percentage, which stands at 66 percent and an incredible 63 percent from three-point land.

Shining alongside Budinger is Joey Dorsey. A force in the middle, Dorsey pulled down 20 rebounds in the latest game against LA.

Dorsey has averaged an astounding 14.8 rebounds per game to go along with 10 points and 2.6 blocks. Dorsey will have to cut down on the ill-advised fouls, however, as he is averaging five per game.

Hopefully Dorsey's rebounding and defense will translate to the fall and spring, considering the void left by Yao Ming in those categories.

James White has also been very solid in the league so far, averaging 12.5 points and shooting 50 percent from the field.

His rebounding and assists could use a boost, at 6'7" at his position he should average more than three rebounds and 1.7 assists.

The Rockets' other second round pick, an envisioned replacement to Tracy McGrady, Jermaine Taylor has been decent at best. He scored 15 against the Mavericks in his first game, but has gone down hill since then.

He has averaged 11 points in four games, but is shooting terribly from the field at 38 percent. Even more discouraging is his 18 percent three-point shooting.

If he wants to make the roster for next season, he will have to step his game up. As of right now, Dorsey, White, and Budinger seem the only likely candidates.