Ime Udoka Articles - Page 2

Steve Nash and LeBron James marveled at the Houston Rockets’ elite offensive rebounding ability on their latest “Mind the Game” podcast, a strength that has helped redefine their identity. “Steven Adams is getting over one in four offensive rebounds when he is on the court,” Nash explained. “Our highest values are lay-ups, free throws, then […]

At 15-6, the Houston Rockets are off to their best start in eight seasons. But as super as it has been, their kryptonite has emerged: navigating the second night of a back-to-back without Steven Adams. Houston became the final team in the NBA to play a back-to-back, doing so for the first time on Dec. […]

Ime Udoka had words of praise for Kevin Durant following the veteran star’s career milestone in the Houston Rockets’ blowout win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. Durant is going through the 19th year of his legendary career, his first with the Rockets. He stands out as one of the best scorers in NBA […]

The Houston Rockets’ hot start featured a stretch in which they played the fewest games in the league and none on back-to-back days. That changed this week, as the calendar flipped to December, with the Rockets’ first back-to-back test exposing several concerns moving forward. Rockets struggle without Steven Adams in back-to-back The Rockets have built […]

The Houston Rockets pushed deeper into the NBA Cup chase on a night when Reed Sheppard’s career-high became the clearest sign yet of his breakout and shifted his team’s momentum. But Ime Udoka insisted the real story for the Rockets wasn’t the scoring. It was everything wrapped around it: the steadiness, the defense, and the […]

The Houston Rockets didn’t need any extra storylines heading into battle with the Phoenix Suns, but Ime Udoka found himself pulled into one the moment Kevin Durant’s name surfaced. A reporter pressed him on why Durant wasn’t with the Suns, and Udoka kept his answer tight. He said Durant was out for personal reasons. When […]

PHOENIX– After another home victory, Phoenix Suns guard Dillon Brooks couldn’t help but keep his eyes on Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets. When Brooks was traded to the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant trade, he left one of the top head coaches in Ime Udoka. The two grew a relationship, and one […]

Under head coach Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets built their identity on grit and defense. However, this season, that formula has flipped. While Houston’s offense has surged, its once-reliable defense has sprung leaks, largely due to a heavy reliance on zone. Houston is currently ranked No. 2 in offensive rating, just a hair behind the […]

The Houston Rockets spent much of the past nine months leaning into their double-big lineup, only to make history once they went in a different direction. Houston opened the season 0-2 with Steven Adams in the starting lineup, fielding the tallest starting five in NBA history. Then head coach Ime Udoka swapped out Adams for […]

The Brooklyn Nets were just what the doctor ordered for the Houston Rockets, as the Rockets picked up their much-needed first win of the season in Monday’s home opener, 137-109. The Rockets were 15.5-point favorites against an already 0-4 Brooklyn team that has surrendered the most points through four games in franchise history. This was […]

The Houston Rockets took a big gamble with their opening game starting lineup. Ime Udoka ran out a starting unit featuring four 6-foot-11 players and a 6-foot-7 point guard. Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun have both spent most of their careers at the five, and even Jabari Smith Jr. has typically been looked at as […]

The Houston Rockets are about to roll out one of the tallest, lengthiest starting lineups in NBA history when they begin the 2025-26 NBA season on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Without Fred VanVleet entering the new season at the point guard spot, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is committing to his big […]

Ime Udoka and the Houston Rockets are preparing for the 2025-26 regular season. Houston has high expectations heading into the new campaign. The Rockets will play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday to begin the season. Competitive teams such as OKC will surely take notice of Udoka’s latest comments — as the head coach is […]

Three years after Ime Udoka’s workplace affair shook their relationship, Nia Long is finally opening up about where things stand with her ex, Vibe reports. The actress says they’ve reached a place of peace, mutual respect, and solid co-parenting. In a new cover story for The Cut, Long shared that she and the Houston Rockets […]

The Houston Rockets lost a key cog ahead of the upcoming season after Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL injury during the team’s mini-camp in the Bahamas last month. VanVleet, who has been a steadying force for the Rockets, will be sidelined for several months, leaving a big hole in the team’s backcourt. It’s an unfortunate […]

The Houston Rockets have some questions to answer as the team is getting ramped up for the season. With the injury to Fred VanVleet, the one question is what the Rockets will do at the point guard position, and it seems like they could have a few options at their disposal. Head coach Ime Udoka […]

For all the talk about Luka Doncic at EuroBasket, Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun was not to be forgotten. His efforts helped lead Turkey past Poland and onto the semifinals.  He finished with a triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Additionally, Sengun became the youngest player to achieve a triple-double at EuroBasket […]

Turkey is in the semi-final of 2025 EuroBasket, and it’s thanks in large part to how Alperen Sengun looks to be an even better player than he was when he made his first All-Star Game en route to leading the Houston Rockets to a 52-30 record and the two-seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets […]

The award-winning actress Nia Long has once again reminded people that she does not hold back when it comes to speaking her truth. She posted a sharp message on Instagram that seemed aimed at men who thrive on attention from women outside their relationships, Complex reports. “Too much attention from a side chick makes a […]

When James Harden decided he wanted to continue his career elsewhere during the 2020-21 season, the Houston Rockets were left without an identity. Roughly four seasons later, the Rockets recently claimed the 2-seed in the Western Conference and built a young core with a lot of potential. Now, Kevin Durant is joining the mix to […]

Going undrafted in the NBA is a serious bummer for several prospects’ dreams. Nonetheless, some remain unfazed by maximizing their opportunities, no matter how limited. As a result, even a handful of players somehow make it to the league through a training camp invitation. Here is a look at 10 players who made an NBA […]

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka is excited for Kevin Durant. While adding a veteran All-Star to his team could yield his first trip to the NBA Finals since his lone season with the Boston Celtics in 2022, Udoka is happy to see Durant in a winning situation with the Rockets. He’s eager to get […]

New Houston Rockets duo Ime Udoka and Kevin Durant share a great history of playing against each other. For Udoka, he did this as both a player and coach. Udoka played in the NBA from 2003 to 2011, playing for five teams throughout his career. His last four years in the league intertwined with Durant’s, […]

NBA fans were quick to notice Ime Udoka’s approach towards defending Kevin Durant. The new Houston Rockets star caught wind of this, explaining his perspective. Fans were likely pointing at the 2022 first-round series between Udoka’s Boston Celtics and Durant’s Brooklyn Nets. Udoka’s defensive tactics were excellent as Durant struggled throughout the series. He averaged […]

Ahead of a reunion with his former assistant coach during his time with the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant commended his head coach, Ime Udoka. As the player and coach prepare for their reunion after the Phoenix Suns traded Durant to the Rockets this summer, Houston is now considered a title contender with […]

After making their seven-team trade for Kevin Durant official, Rockets GM Rafael Stone and head coach Ime Udoka addressed the move for Durant in a press release. The Rockets announced that they have acquired Durant and will reunite with Clint Capela via a seven-team trade with the Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Los […]

The Houston Rockets made a big offseason move to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns. Head coach Ime Udoka may have played a key role in this trade taking place. The Rockets landed Durant in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the 10th overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-round picks. […]

The Houston Rockets and head coach Ime Udoka have agreed to a long-term contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid head coaches in the NBA, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Udoka, 47, joined the Rockets in 2023 after the team went 22-60 and fired Stephen Silas. Over the last two seasons, Udoka has […]

In a long and winding search for their new head coach, the New York Knicks have been consistently linked with Dallas Mavericks’ Jason Kidd. New York previously fired Tom Thibodeau despite reaching what was their first Conference Finals in 25 years. Despite reaching the playoffs four times out of five, the front office decided to […]

When the New York Knicks officially decided to move on from Tom Thibodeau after their most successful season this century, fans, doubters, and everyone in between had the same question in mind: Who will coach the Knicks in 2025-26? Sitting pretty with one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference, an All-Star leader in […]

The New York Knicks made the big decision to fire Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday after they suffered a six-game exit in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. That means the search is now on for the franchise’s next head coach, and several names have popped up on the radar. Two specific coaches whom […]

With the Houston Rockets connected to many stars such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the question has also been the future of Jalen Green. After the Rockets’ star had a frustrating playoffs, as he acknowledged, there’s been a ton of speculation about his departure, but maybe some should hold the phone on that notion. […]

Nia Long did not shy away from her excitement that the New York Knicks won Game 2 in the NBA semifinals. “Let’s f—–g go @nyknicks baby!!!!” Long posted on X Wednesday shortly after the Knicks defeated the Boston Celtics 91-90. The Knicks also won Game 1, 108-105 against the Celtics. Long has had an extensive […]

The Houston Rockets seemed poised for a comeback in their first round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, but they could;ldn’t quite get over the line. The Rockets’ offense went cold in Game 7 at home as the Warriors cruised to a 103-89 win to advance to the second round. This Rockets team still […]

The Houston Rockets’ season has officially ended, and the trade rumors are already swirling for a franchise on the rise. Despite the bitter Game 7 home loss to the Golden State Warriors, year two under head coach Ime Udoka was a resounding success. The Rockets won 52 games and finished with the No. 2 seed […]

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has been named the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2024-25 NBA Coach of the Year, the league announced on Monday night. As a result of receiving more votes than Detroit Pistons coach JB Bickerstaff and Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka, Atkinson became the third head coach […]

The big uncertainty revolving around the Houston Rockets entering the 2025 NBA playoffs was their relative inexperience, and in Sunday’s Game 7 showdown with the Golden State Warriors, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference looked woefully unprepared for the moment. The team’s season as a whole was still noteworthy and could serve as […]

The Houston Rockets watched Fred VanVleet deliver the hot hand behind the arc. But now many fans wonder if he’ll return to the franchise following the NBA Playoffs exit Sunday. Ime Udoka faced the tough question about the sharpshooter’s Houston future. The Golden State Warriors ended the Rockets season 103-89 at the Toyota Center. Udoka […]

The Houston Rockets were able to extend their series against the Golden State Warriors as they head into a win-or-go-home situation in Game 7. The Rockets have won the last two games to force Game 7, and head coach Ime Udoka has had his team locked in for a chance to advance to the next […]