Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka watches game action against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Houston Rockets’ head coach, Ime Udoka, spoke at the season’s introductory press conference tonight during the team’s media day.
Reflecting on the 2025-26 season, when the Rockets matched their 2024-25 regular season record, Udoka hinted at his disappointment with the team’s failure to close out in the playoffs. When asked whether the team is returning ‘hungrier’ this season, Udoka also shared his expectations for the team.
“Yeah, I would say so. Um, you know, expectations were to take some big steps last year, and I feel, you know, in the three years that I’ve been here now, going into the fourth year, we somewhat plateaued at the point last year,” Udoka admitted.
“Record-wise, the same 52 and 52, but, um, you know, losing in the first round again. And so, what we expected coming in, I don’t think anybody met our expectations. You know, decent regular season due to circumstances, but it could have been a lot better,” he added.
“It just, you know, we’re looking at our record overall, and we had 30 losses, and I think in 18 of those we had double-digit leads. And so, closing the game is a big thing. Um, and, you know, some guys coming back will help with that.”
“But, yeah, we’re not here to just make the first round. We want to make some real noise, and I think, um, everybody’s hungrier for that and to kind of, you know, take the next step and not plateau, so to speak,” Ime Udoka further added.
Two years with the same regular-season record and consecutive first-round exits in the playoffs have given Udoka the impression that this team did not meet his expectations last season.
After Amen Thompson’s $208 million contract extension, many critics scrutinized him for a lack of a consistent jump shot. But Udoka thinks focusing on his jump shot takes away from many other things he contributes to the game plan. Here’s what Ime Udoka said he expects from Thompson this season.
“Oh, take another jump, and keep improving in every area. And, um, you know, I think with him, anytime you see him, whether it’s Las Vegas and, you know, playing in the open gym there or Los Angeles or wherever he’s at, he’s one of the more dominant players on the court wherever he’s at.”
“And so, want that to translate into the NBA, and he’s had really good seasons and progressed. But, uh, for him, it’s continued to improve in every area. I think having the ball less in his hands will let him do other things on the court.”
“He’s like a Swiss Army knife out there where he can play wherever, but it also allows him to probably get back to the defensive intensity that he wants to play at a high level.”
“Obviously, leading the league in minutes is going to take a toll on you some on both ends at times. And, uh, you know, we don’t want to have him and Kevin that high minutes-wise. And I think with our rotation and the depth we have now, we feel more comfortable with that.”
“But just continue to improve. Uh, you know, him being All-Defensive in the past, he wants to get back to that, but also, uh, taking steps offensively, understanding what we’re looking for from him.”
“And, you know, everybody talks about the jump shot, but he’s still a really dominant player at times without that. But he’ll continue to improve on that because he’s putting in the work.”
Udoka’s take on the Rockets’ hunger also implies that all training wheels are off this season, even for their young point guard, Reed Sheppard, who will now have to adjust to Fred VanVleet’s return.
Ime Udoka also suggested that with Fred VanVleet’s comeback, the Rockets will have to balance ball-handling responsibilities among VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard at point guard.
“Yeah, I would say, you know, just due to the players you have out there, he won’t have to handle it full time, but he’s really good at that. And anytime he can get the ball, he’s a one-man fast break. Really pushes the pace, and he’s going to continue to grow in that area,” Udoka added on Thompson.
“So, we’re never going to take that away from him. Uh, one of his main strengths and one of the things that gets us going out in transition, but the fact that he doesn’t have to have it every time in the half court. Um, you know, his first year, he played once Alperen got hurt; he started the last 18 games at the backup four.”
“You know, he was playing great in the pocket, screening and rolling for the first time, playing a dunker off Alperen. And so those things all bode well for him regardless of whether he has the ball or not.”
“And so, Reed as well, I think he’s a guy that has to continue to improve in the pick-and-roll, but, um, playing him off-ball as well is something he’s done his whole life, and he’s really good at it.”
“You put the guys out there who have played with shooters and know how to get them the ball, I think it’ll just open up and expand Reed’s game,” Ime Udoka concluded.
In essence, Udoka sounds like he’s had enough of hearing about the Rockets’ lack of veteran experience as a reason for their losses. They have gained plenty of experience over the past two seasons, and Udoka now expects most young players on the roster to act like league veterans.
Ime Udoka is stating unequivocally that the Rockets cannot afford to have another season of stagnation given the elevated expectations. Houston’s young core has gained valuable playoff experience, and the team has added depth, continuity, and veteran presence.
Udoka now anticipates that growth will produce results. The Rockets will try to finally turn their potential into a deeper postseason run with Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, and the rest of the roster taking on more responsibility. It will certainly be interesting to see if the young Rockets can meet Ime Udoka’s expectations in the coming season.