How Ime Udoka Transformed the Houston Rockets into Defensive Juggernauts
Amen Thompson hustles back on defense, but it’s just a half-step too slow. LA Clippers guard Norman Powell catches a pass on the right wing, takes a couple of dribbles with Thompson on his hip, bumps him, and gets him to bite on a pump fake. Powell’s floater drops through the net, and Thompson glances toward the Rockets’ bench. It’s a rare moment when the man he’s guarding scores, but when it happens, Thompson instinctively looks to see his coach’s reaction. Spoiler alert: it’s not a happy one.
“I am bothered,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka told ESPN. That’s putting it mildly. As Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet quipped, “Well, he is always pissed off.”
Udoka’s intensity is palpable. His brow furrows, his eyes narrow, and his disappointment is written all over his face when his players fall short of his high defensive standards. But when it’s Thompson, the frustration is dialed up a notch. “Imagine the most mad face ever, just staring daggers at you,” Thompson said after a Dec. 1 win over the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who shot just 2-of-10 from the floor with Thompson as the primary defender.
Thompson admits he finds Udoka’s visible angst amusing at times, but he also appreciates it. It’s a sign of the confidence his coach has in his potential to be an elite defensive stopper. Rockets general manager Rafael Stone summed it up: “In Ime’s world, that should be an impossibility. And if it occurs, it’s because Amen did something wrong.”
Udoka’s Defensive Blueprint
Udoka’s expectations aren’t the same for every player, but his standards for effort, intensity, and toughness are non-negotiable. “He lets you play free, but he’s going to expect you to play hard,” said Rockets power forward Jabari Smith Jr.. “If you’re not doing that, you’re probably not going to be in the game.”
That mentality has been the driving force behind the Rockets’ rapid defensive turnaround. In just 20 months under Udoka, Houston has gone from one of the league’s worst defenses to one of its best. Only the Thunder boast a stingier defense than the Rockets, who allow just 105.4 points per 100 possessions. This transformation has catapulted Houston to third in the Western Conference standings and into the NBA Cup quarterfinals, where they’ll host the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
“Hard-nosed, no bulls—,” is how forward Dillon Brooks described Udoka’s approach.
Phase 2: The Rockets’ Rebuild
When Udoka was hired in April 2023, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta dubbed it “Phase 2” of the team’s rebuild. The Rockets had endured three brutal seasons, averaging fewer than 20 wins per year and ranking near the bottom of the league in defense. Fertitta’s mandate was clear: make the Rockets competitive again. Udoka, who had led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals with the league’s top-ranked defense, was the man for the job.
But Udoka needed help. The Rockets targeted three free agents: Brooks, VanVleet, and big man Brook Lopez. While Lopez ultimately re-signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston landed Brooks and VanVleet, signing them to deals worth a combined $215 million. These veterans brought the toughness and defensive mindset Udoka wanted to instill in his young team.
Building a Defensive Identity
VanVleet, a former All-Star and NBA champion, serves as an extension of Udoka on the court. “He is a little grumpy old dude and half the time he always finds something to be mad at,” Udoka said. Brooks, meanwhile, is “locked in every possession of every game, 365 days a year,” according to Stone.
The Rockets’ young core has also embraced Udoka’s defensive philosophy. Smith, the No. 3 pick in the 2022 draft, is a versatile defender who can guard on the perimeter and protect the rim. Tari Eason, the No. 17 pick in the same draft, has drawn comparisons to a young Kawhi Leonard. And Thompson, whom Stone calls “as impactful a wing defender as exists in the NBA,” has quickly become a defensive force off the bench.
- Houston ranks first in offensive rebounding rate (34.7%).
- The Rockets allow the second-fewest fast break points (11.8 per game).
- They are tied for fourth in turnover ratio (13.1%).
“We got the personnel,” Brooks said. “We have the length, we have the attributes to play defense, and we have the will and passion for it. That comes from Ime.”
What’s Next for Houston?
Offensively, the Rockets still have work to do. They rank near the bottom of the league in shooting efficiency, tied for 27th in effective field goal percentage (50.3%) and true shooting percentage (54.1%). For Houston to become a true contender, they’ll need one of their young stars to emerge as a go-to scorer or acquire a superstar via trade. However, team sources insist they’re taking a patient approach and won’t make a core-altering move before this season’s trade deadline.
For now, the Rockets are winning with defense, effort, and a mentality that Udoka has made non-negotiable. “Most coaches lose that battle as they go through the season and focus on other things,” Udoka said. “But understanding how much that impacts winning, that’s a nonnegotiable for me.”
Originally Written by: Tim MacMahon
