Ime Udoka has quickly turned his players into believers, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle (subscription required). Winning their fourth consecutive game Wednesday night — and their third straight by 18 points or more — the Rockets looked like the team Udoka envisioned when he agreed to become their head coach. Houston forced the Lakers out of their normal offense, won the rebounding battle by a 57-34 margin and seemed more determined to get to every loose ball.
“They’re buying into what we’re asking them to do,” Udoka said. “You see the effort there and the attention to detail behind it.”
Udoka was brought in to change to culture of the organization after three years of rebuilding. Houston added veteran leadership by signing free agents Dillon Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Jeff Green and has looked like a completely different team, especially on defense.
“Just us being connected,” Jae’Sean Tatesaid. “We literally move as a unit out there and our communication is something that I haven’t experienced in the last few years here and it’s fun. I think that’s the biggest thing — that we are really having fun and we are trusting each other to be in the right spots and cover up for each other.”
There’s more from Houston:
- Udoka was out of the NBA for an entire season after being suspended in Boston for an improper relationship with a female staff member, but those issues haven’t followed him to his new job, per Steve Bulpett of Heavy. “What happened in Boston is what happened in Boston,” a Rockets source told Bulpett. “It hasn’t come up with anyone.”
- VanVleet has been a strong on-court leader and a perfect conduit for Udoka’s emphasis on toughness, Bulpett adds. VanVleet grew frustrated trying to deliver the same messages in Toronto, but his new teammates in Houston have been far more receptive. “He’s exactly what that group of guys needed,” another of Bulpett’s sources said. “Young guys all want to establish themselves when they show up in the league, and the way (VanVleet) plays shows them they can still get theirs — and get it easier — if they work through each other. And once a young guy starts to taste a little success, that’s a great motivator in itself.”
- Before Wednesday’s game, LeBron James said he understands why the Rockets were willing to commit more than $80MM over four years to Brooks, his bitter playoff rival in Memphis, relays Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I think in his case, he was worthy of the contract he got,” James said. “He’s put in the work since he came out of Oregon, and that’s what Houston found value in and he’s here.”
Playoffs?
Yes
There’s a lesson to be learned here. If you want more money and recognition, make sure you sleep with your coworkers.
Oh stop with the FVV nonsense. He’s shooting 36% from the field. They know we have metrics now right? This intangibles fakery reminds me of pre-sabr baseball. FVV is probably a neutral asset on the floor, and negative considering salary. He’s a glorified chucker with a strong scowl.. he’s this generations Kendrick Perkins. Overrated.
And yet he’s their best veteran…
Team ain’t going nowhere…
Overated coach, overated veterans…
He’s 16 pts n 8.5 ast a gm. He’s shooting 37% from three. 90% from FT. He’s the leader at most important position in basketball. He’s not a great PG. But good enough for this talented young team. Metrics are for ones who don’t understand the game. Porter leaving is best thing that happened to Rockets. Watch the Rockets. And learn what it takes for a young team to lear to win.
He’s 0.1 VORP and 14 PER. Thats replacement level bruv. But glad he’s a great leader. Well worth 40 million.
For that young team, they couldn’t play defense to save their life, and seem incredibly disinterested in doing so the last few seasons.
Their tenacity, their willingness to play hard defense for four quarters, their confidence, and the new veterans leading by example, for those reasons alone that was money well spent.
Their collective impact on Houston’s younger guys on and off the court has been paramount to their early success thus far.
Hate all you want, but signing FVV, Brooks, and Green and bringing in Udoka was a smart move to help jump-start the Rockets turnaround.
Udoka is a very good coach. He showed it in Boston and is showing it in Houston as well. Brad Stevens surely would’ve preferred not to have to remove him.
Had he kept his libido in check the celtics might have won it last season
He’ll end up having a but too much fun with FVVs wife and it’ll all blow up…
The Rockets are simply being treated as a night off by the other team… Even the Spurs don’t see them as a threat…
Once teams take them a little bit seriously they’ll be back to getting blown out again…
Tell me you don’t watch them without telling me. Last year, they lose all these games. Teams need to prepare for Houston, their defense is legit and will be better by the end of the year.
Most haters don’t watch the team they hate on. It’s a disease on this syte …..
They have better talent on the floor, are older and don’t have a headache like Porter out there…
Of course they are better than last year…
Still a classic case of young team with energy that takes advantage of the teams that see a scheduled night off ahead… Nothing more…
FVV is a lying POS. The Raptors sucked last year for two reasons – first, the coach had mentally checked out, and second, Van Vleet spend the year playing hero ball making stuffing the stat sheet to make sure he got his pay day.