Rockets Receive High Grade For 2023 Offseason: 'New Coach, New Attitude'
HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets had a busy offseason, and every significant move was a step toward helping the franchise reach its primary objective.
Owner Tilman Fertitta and general manager Rafael Stone declared that the Rockets were entering phase II of its rebuilding project. The outcome led to the Rockets hiring Ime Udoka as coach while signing several veteran players in free agency.
Houston's biggest offseason roster acquisition came in signing All-Star guard Fred VanVleet to a max contract in July. The 6-foot-0 guard has averaged 14.6 points on 40.2 percent shooting from the field, 5.3 assists and 1.3 steals across 417 career games.
The Rockets had an impressive offseason. And according to CBS Sports, Houston earned an A-minus grade after revamping its organization.
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"New coach. New point guard. New attitude (we’re looking at you, Dillon)," Ward-Henninger writes. "Hoping to be a doormat no more, the Rockets brought in a no-nonsense leader in Ime Udoka and gritty players like VanVleet and Brooks to lead a veritable cornucopia of young, electrifying talent.
"Houston reportedly went hard at Brook Lopez, who would have provided a much-needed defensive anchor in the middle, but the Rockets still made huge strides this offseason while bringing in potential future stars in Thompson and Whitmore."
The Rockets are a month away from training camp, but the team has spent the entire off-season laying the groundwork for a successful season.
Players spent the summer working on their weaknesses while communicating with Udoka, who has shared tips throughout the off-season on which attributes to work on in hopes of taking a significant leap next season.
The Rockets finished the 2022-23 season tied with the San Antonio Spurs for the league's second-worst record at 22-60.
