In full reconstruction, the Rockets have added two new promising elements to their workforce on Draft night. The first is Amen Thompson, selected in 4th position. The second is Cam Whitmore, chosen in 20th place. At a press conference on Monday, Ime Udoka spoke about the arrival of the two players in the Rockets project.
“They already bring a lot of things” underlined the coach. “Obviously with our team, I emphasized the defensive mentality, which they both naturally have. Shooting is always a priority. This is a point on which I insist that they rely and work on it. They need to become versatile players, use their athleticism to their advantage and add good shooting quality.”.
Places that must be earned
Separately, Ime Udoka insisted that the franchise is entering the second phase of its reconstruction project. Which means that the two prospects just drafted, like the rest of the team, will now have to earn their playing time. No more question of letting young people play to play.
“Most playing time and roles have been given to young people in the past” added Ime Udoka. “There will be changes in the second phase. We are adding young elements, but also veterans. I think it will raise the level of competition. Nothing more will be given like this”.
Last season, we saw players like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr, Jabari Smith Jr and Alperen Sengun showing great things at times from an individual point of view.
The problem is that their performances were drowned in a disastrous collective which did not win matches. Hence Ime Udoka’s desire to add veterans in order to bring experience but also a culture of winning. From now on, the message is clear: the development of young people will go through victory.
“Myself and the new staff who arrive, we have insisted on this point with the guys. For us, it’s about adding the right elements, raising the level of the franchise. I think veterans will help us, but we like young, talented guys, and that’s a balance.” detailed Ime Udoka. “Some will play a different role than they had until now. But I think we have men of character who are all used to winning and trying to get to that level. They will do whatever it takes to sacrifice themselves for the team, but this is the second phase, and we can’t wait to take a big step forward.”.
In line with the Celtics?
In addition, the new Rockets coach drew a parallel between the Houston project and that of Boston. And for him, the Texas franchise is taking the same path as his former team.
“It’s not that far” concluded Ime Udoka. “Two or three years is the difference between Boston players and those here. But those two or three years of experience are important. I can therefore rely on all the situations I have experienced as a player and as a coach. One thing I’ve never done as a coach is miss the playoffs, so we want to take that step here too. We have a lot of talent and players who want to reach the next level.”.
| Shots | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | bp | Int | CT | party | Points |
| Jalen Green | 76 | 34.2 | 41.6 | 33.8 | 78.6 | 0.6 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 22.1 |
| Kevin Porter, Jr. | 59 | 34.3 | 44.2 | 36.6 | 78.4 | 1.3 | 4.0 | 5.3 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 2.6 | 19.2 |
| Alperen Sengun | 75 | 28.9 | 55.3 | 33.3 | 71.5 | 3.2 | 5.8 | 9.0 | 3.9 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 14.8 |
| Eric Gordon | 47 | 30.2 | 43.9 | 34.7 | 81.5 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 13.1 |
| Jabari Smith, Jr. | 79 | 31.0 | 40.8 | 30.7 | 78.6 | 1.5 | 5.7 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 12.8 |
| Kj Martin | 82 | 28.0 | 56.9 | 31.5 | 68.0 | 1.5 | 4.0 | 5.5 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 12.7 |
| Tari Eason | 82 | 21.6 | 44.8 | 34.3 | 75.2 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 6.0 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 9.3 |
| Jae’sean Tate | 31 | 21.9 | 48.0 | 28.3 | 72.5 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 2.7 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 3.4 | 9.1 |
| Josh Christopher | 64 | 12.3 | 46.5 | 23.6 | 75.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 5.8 |
| Garrison Mathews | 45 | 13.4 | 35.3 | 34.2 | 91.1 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.8 |
| Tyty Washington, Jr. | 31 | 14.0 | 36.3 | 23.8 | 55.6 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 4.7 |
| Bruno Fernando | 31 | 11.7 | 51.6 | 0.0 | 68.2 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 4.1 |
| Daishen Nix | 57 | 16.0 | 34.2 | 28.6 | 66.7 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Darius Days | 4 | 6.2 | 41.7 | 30.0 | 100.0 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 3.8 |
| Boban Marjanovic | 31 | 5.5 | 68.3 | 0.0 | 74.1 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.3 |
| Usman Garuba | 75 | 12.9 | 48.6 | 40.7 | 61.7 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 3.0 |
| Frank Kaminsky | 10 | 5.9 | 31.6 | 20.0 | 100.0 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 1.8 |
| Trevor Hudgins | 5 | 5.7 | 22.2 | 25.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.8 |
