Ime Udoka expected to develop Rockets’ young guard into ‘excellent player’

Although Ime Udoka has only been an NBA head coach for two seasons, he has already left his mark.

Udoka is universally regarded as one of the best young coaches in the game, having led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year as head coach.

In contrast, his predecessor, Brad Stevens, played on the bench for eight years in Boston and never led the team beyond the Eastern Conference Finals.

Udoka faced a tough task last season, joining a Houston Rockets team that won just 22 games in 2022-23 and looking to get them into the playoffs in the vaunted Western Conference. The Rockets came eerily close, finishing just one spot out of the play-in tournament as the team struggled with a slew of injuries.

Under Udoka’s tutelage, Fred VanVleet had one of his best seasons, and Dillon Brooks was by far a much different (and better) player than he was with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Brooks accepted a lesser role, taking just 10.7 shots per game compared to averaging 15 field goal attempts per game in each of his last four seasons with the Grizzlies, but still averaged 12.7 points thanks to much improved shooting efficiency.

Udoka made the strategic decision to move Amen Thompson, a point guard, to the wing, allowing him to play with Thompson and VanVleet at the same time, while maximizing Thompson’s abilities on the backboard. It turned out to be a wise decision.

Now, Udoka will have to figure out how to get the most out of new signing Reed Sheppard, despite the Rockets’ roster depth. Sheppard’s Summer League returns showed that Udoka and the Rockets may have a legitimate talent, as Yardbarker’s Adam Taylor explains.

“Sheppard has been one of the stars of Summer League so far. His shooting, off-the-ball movement and dynamism on both ends of the floor have quickly endeared him to Summer League fans. In four games, he is averaging 20 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists.”

Taylor also cited the former Kentucky shooting guard as an immediate rotation player for Houston, while noting the role Udoka could play in maximizing Sheppard’s talent.

“Sheppard is already considered an NBA-level rotation player and should develop into a great player under head coach Ime Udoka.”

Because of Sheppard’s versatility, he could be asked to play with Jalen Green as a backup point guard or VanVleet as a backup scoring guard. He instantly becomes the Rockets’ best long-range shooter, something the franchise didn’t have last season.

The Rockets may have gotten a bargain in a draft class that was generally considered to be lacking in talent. Especially if Udoka can help harness and develop Sheppard’s talent.

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