Not unlucky last night, by extricating themselves as best they could from the trap set by the Cavaliers (109-108), the Rockets nonetheless emerged feeling energized after this success in a prestigious match against the best team at the start of the season. season.
Behind the current success of the young Texas squad, there is obviously a constant progression of a hard core of young shoots rather well constituted around the duo Jalen Green – Alperen Sengun. But, on this well-organized bench and rather rich in all positions, it is Ime Udoka who perfectly fulfills his role as general-in-chief.
A tough coach
“If you don’t play hard, whether you’re the best player on the team or the worst, he’s going to treat you the same.”relates Jabari Smith Jr in the Houston Chronicle. “He’s going to put you back on the bench and he’s going to let you know why!” He was a blue-collar player, and he coached like he played. »
Still too soft last season, Ime Udoka's first in Houston, with only 41 victories for as many defeats, the Rockets this year started on a much higher base, with 29 successes for 14 defeats. The Udoka paw prints quickly and reliably…
“Ime, he talks a lot about toughness and physical combat, about taking up the challenge and getting into the opponent. And that’s what we did this season with him”remembers Jayson Tatum. “We started the season badly, but he never flinched, he never trembled. And we managed to turn things around. At the end of the season, we were on the hunt. »
After his half-hearted experience in Boston, between a lightning acclimatization to propel the Celtics to their first NBA final in more than a decade and his equally abrupt ouster after his affair with a member of the team's staff, Ime Udoka intends to make up for lost time with the Rockets.
And his method hasn't changed one iota. Ime Udoka will never hesitate to get in the way of his players, to tell them the truth when things no longer work.
“There was more than one moment when we were calling each other names and sending them back and forth,” smiles Grant Williams. “There was a lot of 'play hard, motherfucker!' or 'stop whining!'. And then, five minutes later, he comes to talk to you as if nothing had happened. »
Return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020…
Recently, Ime Udoka was able to prove that he will not waver under pressure from anyone in his locker room. And especially not Cam Whitmore, who was starting to complain about a lack of playing time.
“I have no problem with my players being able to express themselves freely when they feel the need,” explained Ime Udoka on a local radio. “If you know me, you know I'm not a sensitive person at all. Everything I say publicly, I've already said ten times to my guys in private. »
“Journeyman” with the profile of a rough defender who made a place in the NBA through perseverance and hard work, Ime Udoka is not going to change now that he has crossed the other side of the barrier. The Rockets coach has gradually transformed his young players into pros who understand the importance of defense to win games. And even if, sometimes, it can get out of hand and become vulgar, it works!
“The playoffs are perfect for Ime. This is the type of basketball he wants, when it gets competitive, and more intense,” concludes Grant Williams. “He will always succeed in shaking you, pushing you and making you surpass yourself. When the playoffs come, he's going to make sure you're ready! »
The playoffs? The Rockets have been waiting for them since 2020… What if Ime Udoka did the C's again, an NBA final in his first campaign, in Clutch City?
| Shots | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Bp | Int | Ct | Party | Pts |
| Jalen Green | 42 | 32.8 | 43.6 | 36.0 | 87.2 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 4.4 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 21.5 |
| Alperen Sengun | 42 | 31.3 | 48.9 | 23.0 | 71.4 | 3.5 | 7.0 | 10.5 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 2.7 | 19.2 |
| Fred Vanvleet | 39 | 35.7 | 38.9 | 33.4 | 80.6 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 15.0 |
| Dillon Brooks | 39 | 32.0 | 40.7 | 36.9 | 85.0 | 1.2 | 2.6 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 3.4 | 13.0 |
| Amen Thompson | 39 | 29.9 | 55.7 | 24.0 | 69.4 | 2.6 | 5.2 | 7.8 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 12.9 |
| Jabari Smith, Jr. | 33 | 30.9 | 43.5 | 35.4 | 86.7 | 1.8 | 4.7 | 6.5 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.3 | 11.9 |
| Tari Eason | 27 | 23.0 | 48.0 | 31.6 | 74.2 | 2.1 | 4.1 | 6.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 11.6 |
| Cam Whitmore | 24 | 16.5 | 43.9 | 32.3 | 72.2 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 10.1 |
| Jeff Green | 13 | 10.5 | 54.1 | 34.8 | 77.8 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 4.2 |
| Aaron Holiday | 31 | 10.8 | 41.4 | 37.5 | 88.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 3.9 |
| Jae'sean Tate | 23 | 10.8 | 46.2 | 35.3 | 64.0 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 3.6 |
| Reed Sheppard | 32 | 11.3 | 31.5 | 27.4 | 83.3 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 3.2 |
| Jock Landale | 21 | 9.2 | 41.4 | 42.9 | 59.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 3.0 |
| Steven Adams | 28 | 10.9 | 59.6 | 0.0 | 37.5 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 2.8 |
| Nate Williams, Jr. | 6 | 3.5 | 77.8 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.7 |
| Jack McVeigh | 6 | 3.6 | 27.3 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.3 |
