Ime Udoka is universally regarded as one of the league’s better young coaches. Within two short years, he lifted the Rockets from the dregs of the Western Conference to the second seed in the conference.
This past summer, he was rewarded with the fourth-highest deal, behind Steve Kerr, Erik Spoelstra and Ty Lue, to the tune of $11 million annually.
All of that is good and well. And deserved, might I add.
The players love him and will always have his back, as they know it’s reciprocated.
All of that is good and well.
Some of Udoka’s warts have especially been on display this season.
(At least of late).
Especially the late-game offensive execution (or lack thereof). Houston has had an issue closing games against inferior opponents, like the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings.
The Rockets held a double-digit lead in both games and lost in overtime, to two of the NBA’s worst teams.
Not being able to close or devise offensive actions when it matters most certainly falls on the coach.
So let’s talk about the offense.
The offense has been a lot of “your turn, my turn” between Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun.
Amen Thompson is being forced to play out of position, which has him hesitant to shoot, even when he drives (which is a high percentage shot). He’s focused on getting the ball to his teammates, even when the best play is for him to attack.
Houston has been spamming the 35 pick-and-roll action between Durant and Sengun, even though Durant……isn’t….quite a good enough passer, especially when getting blitzed or trapped.
Making matters worse, especially in Sunday night’s loss, is the fact that Durant was getting the ball at half court and getting doubled, forcing him to pass out, which again, isn’t his speciality.
Why isn’t he getting the ball closer to the 3-point line?
On that note, Durant has had to run point guard, which is also a disaster and amplifies Houston’s need for a guard who can handle ball pressure and being picked up 94 feet.
(They shouldn’t need a point guard to beat teams like the Pelicans and Kings, but that’s where they’re at now. And a need is a need, regardless of the opponent).
In crunch time, both Sengun and Durant have gotten blitzed and the Rockets have been without corresponding answers or solutions. And it’s going to continue until Udoka draws up something different. Sure, he’s not an offensive genius — his specialty is on the other end.
So perhaps Udoka and the Rockets should look to add someone to Udoka’s staff who is.
(Remember Jeff Bzdelik was added to Mike D’Antoni’s staff, in similar fashion?)
Sure, the Rockets rank third in offensive rating as a collective, but that’s boosted by being the best offensive rebounding team of all-time, in addition to their league-leading 19 second-chance points per contest.
Dominating on the offensive glass is great, but it doesn’t help in crunch time when you need a bucket.
Again, Udoka is a great motivator. His players will run through a wall for him.
Which is a valuable trait. An extremely valuable trait.
But if the Rockets can’t add some offensive creativity and innovation, they’re likely staring at a first-round postseason exit.
And that would fall on Udoka.
