Ime Udoka has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for the Houston Rockets, transforming them from bottom-dwellers to playoff contenders in his second season.
In Houston, Ime Udoka is changing what his name means. He was fired from the Boston Celtics after a scandal that garnered a lot of attention, but he has made the most of his second chance with the Rockets, turning a failing team into a real playoff threat. In just two seasons, Udoka has taught a young team that lacks leader control, responsibility, and defensive intensity.
The Rockets had lost all three of their previous seasons before he got there. Their rise to the top of the Western Conference under Udoka's direction shows that it wasn't a fluke. Alperen Şengün has been a big part of this change because Udoka has turned him into a defense anchor and playmaking hub. Śengün has gone from being called a "baby Jokić" with bad defense to becoming an All-Star, scoring 19.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while improving his defensive metrics.
Even though Houston has made progress on defense, their offense is still stuck. The Rockets are very low in the league regarding possible assists, assist percentage and assist-to-turnover ratio. Udoka's small-ball lineups have also had a tough time, especially when Şengün or Steven Adams aren't playing. Since December, they have a net rating of -13.0 per 100 plays.
Still, Udoka had an effect. He has made the Rockets a team known for hard work, discipline, and toughness. Even though the offense needs to be changed, Houston is no longer an option. They are back in the conversation thanks to Udoka, who shows that forgiveness is possible and thrives.
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