Rockets Summer League Coach Ben Sullivan: 'We're Here'
Just 10 days ago, Houston Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr. hit a game-winning buzzer-beater from downtown that looked straight out of March Madness. Had he missed it, who knows if the Rockets would go on to win four more, each by double digits.
The 5-0 Houston Rockets will compete in the 2023 NBA Summer League championship game on Monday night against the 5-0 Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Rockets advanced to the championship after defeating the Utah Jazz 115-101 on Sunday. After the game, Houston coach Ben Sullivan gave the Rockets a speech about how far they've come this summer.
"None of us made it this far by ourselves," Sullivan said. "We're here for a reason. We're here because people helped us along the way, we're here because we're doing it together."
Sullivan stressed that the team will succeed if they simply loosen up and don't get anxious against the Cavaliers.
"Just relax," Sullivan said. "Have fun, it's basketball. We're just gonna go out there and play the same way we've been playing. Have fun and see what happens."
After Rockets regular season coach Ime Udoka was hired this offseason, he brought along Sullivan. Sullivan (assistant) and Udoka (coach) worked together for the Boston Celtics in 2021-22.
The Celtics embodied the meaning of defense that season and made it all the way to the NBA Finals because of it.
The Rockets signed free agent defensive stars Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks this offseason, hoping they'd lead Udoka and Sullivan's defensive mentality.
Houston also selected Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore in this year's draft, two of the best defenders in the class. Thompson suffered an injury in the first Summer League game, but Whitmore thrived throughout the tournament.
In fact, Whitmore won the Summer League MVP award on Monday, averaging 20.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and a stellar 3.0 steals.
The rookie has already taken a leadership role, as he broke down the final huddle after the win against the Jazz.
"One more on three!" Whitmore said. "One, two, three...[everyone] one more!"
The Rockets will face the Cavaliers in the Summer League Championship on Monday night at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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