© Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Rockets Benefiting From Coach Ime Udoka's Decision to Stand Pat Post All-Star Break
Despite a vow to make changes coming out of the All-Star break, the Houston Rockets are reaping the benefits of coach Ime Udoka's decision to stand pat.
HOUSTON -- Coach Ime Udoka was furious in the Houston Rockets' final game before the All-Star break. The Rockets sustained an embarrassing 121-113 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies inside the FedExForum on Feb. 14.
Udoka expressed his frustration before departing Memphis by stating there could be drastic changes upon returning from the break. He took the next few days to analyze his team. But after reviewing the first 27 games, Udoka decided not to make any changes.
The Rockets have since established themselves as one of the best teams in the league after returning from the All-Star break. Houston has registered the league's fifth-best post-All-Star record at 11-5, which includes an eight-game winning streak following a 147-119 victory over the Utah Jazz Saturday night.
Udoka's decision to stand pat has the Rockets on the verge of reaching the Play-In Tournament for the first time in franchise history — an accomplishment deemed unimaginable in Memphis over a month ago.
Mar 19, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka looks
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
"It was just a chance to reset for everybody, not just physically but mentally as well," Udoka said. "Come back refresh. The break was good for us. But for us as coaches, it gave us a chance to see what we liked as well. There has been great carryover coming out of the break on those things."
In the Rockets' first meeting after the All-Star break, the goal for the team was to finish the 2023-24 season on a good note that would feature Houston putting together complete games while staying consistent.
The objective became realistic after Udoka and his staff noticed two attributes that worked before Houston's mid-season slump. They are at their best when it comes to winning the rebounding battles on the offensive glass while playing at a faster pace.
The Rockets have since averaged the fourth-most offensive rebounds (12.4) while playing as one of the league's fastest teams. Since Feb. 22, the Rockets have played as the fourth-fastest team in the league with an average pace of 101.47.
Headlined by reigning Western Conference Player of the Week winner Jalen Green, several players have benefited from Udoka's decision not to make significant changes. After scoring 41 points against the Jazz, Green has averaged 24.4 points on .465/.400/.823 shooting splits over the previous 16 games.
"It goes to show that he knows what works," Jabari Smith Jr. said. "He has been to The Finals and in locker rooms coaching All-Stars and great players. He knows that playing hard works. He has a coaching style that he believes in, and we believe in it as well."
The mid-season turnaround the Rockets are experiencing is identical to what made Udoka a respected coach during his lone season at the helm of the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics began the 2021-22 campaign with a 16-21 record at the start of Udoka's tenure. But instead of accepting the Celtics' fate as a non-playoff team, he fueled his ball club with in-season adjustments and meetings.
The results led to the Celtics finishing the regular season 33-10. After a successful post-season run, Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games during the 2022 NBA Finals.
During his first season as a head coach, Udoka proved he has the drive, philosophy and respect warranted to help any team reach another level. Although it took longer than anticipated, Udoka has helped the Rockets re-establish themselves as a dynamic team in the Western Conference.
Following their performance against the Jazz, the Rockets are entering Monday's match against the Portland Trail Blazers two games back of the Golden State Warriors for the ninth and 10th seed of the Play-In Tournament.
"We talked about it coming out of the All-Star break, we had a good conservative effort to improve on things," Udoka said. "Guys started to play better. I don't think our play had anything to do with getting closer to the standings. We have had just good carry-over across the board."
