No pressure this summer or anything.This article is about the basketball player. They also have nearly $60 million in cap space to add veterans, perhaps even a max star-level veteran, to one of the league's youngest teams. They have a 14 percent chance to land the No. Currently, the team is ranked the second worst in draft position and can draft no worse than sixth. Now, Stone has to figure out what to do with the draft picks and cap space to surround Udoka and his young charges with the kind of talent that can help them win more than twenty-something games. Judging by fan reaction on Twitter and elsewhere, this is the guy everyone wanted. Stone's first move this offseason looks from the outside like a huge win. It is why he is so beloved by former players. He's not exactly a disciplinarian, but he isn't afraid to make it known what he wants and keep guys in check. Udoka is someone who sets ground rules and holds players to them. Silas did his best to rein in the youngsters, but his soft spoken nature just didn't seem to fit the bill.
HOUSTON ROCKETS ROSTER 2000 HOW TO
With a roster full of journeymen and young players trying to learn how to play in the NBA, it was, at times a three-ring circus on the floor and off. One of the biggest problems the Rockets have faced the last two disastrous seasons is the lack of accountability and organization in the locker room. He is considered a coach who holds player accountable. Landing a coach who not only has a track record of excellence, but is young enough (and a former player) to relate to younger guys is a huge coup. Arguably, Udoka was the hottest coach on the market along with former Raptors coach Nick Nurse. This was exactly the kind of hire the Rockets wanted to make - a coach with talent and youth, but also with experience and a track record. Even Laker great Magic Johnson tweeted out his support of the hiring on Monday. In his first season as a head coach, he led the Celtics to the NBA Finals and has been widely praised by other organizations as well as former players. Given how close Houston sports fans are to Deshaun Waton's antics (never mind the behavior of some in Astros management after the trade for Roberto Osuna), it's understandable to be nervous when any skeletons appear in the closet of a potential signing.ĭespite all that, Udoka is very well respected. In fact, Long, for her part, blasted the Celtics for their handling of the entire thing. There were rumors of other indiscretions, but, and this is important, there was no word that Udoka did anything criminal or violent.Īccording to reports, the Rockets did plenty of digging into the incident by contacting the league office, which performed an investigation, and found nothing worrisome. By all accounts, Udoka had an affair and because it was a subordinate, the Celtics decided to go full scorched earth. Notably, Udoka had, for over a decade, been in a relationship with fiancé and actress, Nia Long, who shares a son with her now former beau. That all unraveled when Boston suspended him for the entire season over an apparent office romance between Udoka and a member of the Boston staff. Just seven months ago, Udoka was coming off an incredibly successful season with the Celtics and was highly celebrated as a talented young coach. Prior to the 2022-23 season, he was suspended and ultimately dismissed by the Celtics for violating team rules, which included an inappropriate, albeit consensual, workplace relationship with a subordinate. The Rockets' new coach doesn't come devoid of baggage. After interviewing a number of potential candidates including former Rocket Sam Cassell and former Lakers coach Frank Vogel, among others, GM Rafael Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta seemed to quickly settle on Udoka according to reports on Monday. Udoka, 45, is a young, talented coach who has won the respect of players who played under him and was expected to be highly sought after this offseason. Two weeks to the day Silas and the Rockets parted ways, the team has found their new head man in former Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka. The Rockets said the would work quickly to replace head coach Stephen Silas after his contract expired and they weren't kidding.
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