Ime Udoka Continues to Mold the Houston Rockets Into His Ideal Team

The Houston Rockets transitioned from a rebuilding phase focused on player development to prioritizing competitiveness after the 2022-23 season. This shift began with hiring head coach Ime Udoka, a former NBA player known for his tough, defensive-minded approach, to lead their young roster.

Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone implemented their vision by signing gritty players like Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet in free agency. This strategy yielded immediate results, with the Rockets achieving a league-best 19-win improvement in the 2023-24 season. The organization emphasizes acquiring players who align with owner Tilman Fertitta’s and Udoka’s mentality of toughness.

Following the trade of Dillon Brooks (as part of a deal for Kevin Durant), the Rockets swiftly replaced him by signing three-and-D forward Dorrian Finney-Smith. They further bolstered their wing depth by adding Josh Okogie and re-signing Jae’Sean Tate, resulting in five defensive-oriented wing players on the roster. This focus on wings surprised some observers, given the team only carries three guards.

The emphasis on wings reflects Udoka’s playing style as a former three-and-D small forward. His coaching philosophy centers on defense as the game’s most essential element, shaping the Rockets into a team with multiple elite defenders for the first time since the 2017-18 season. Despite backcourt limitations, Udoka continues building a roster mirroring his own on-court identity.