Is Ime Udoka the Best Coach in the NBA Right Now?

During the late 2010s, the Houston Rockets emerged as a highly competitive team in the NBA. In an era dominated by the KD-Steph Warriors, the Rockets came remarkably close to defeating the Warriors juggernaut. Under the leadership of prime James Harden, Houston’s matchups against the Warriors became iconic. Despite their efforts, the Rockets could not secure an NBA title against the Warriors. Ultimately resulting in James Harden’s departure from the team in 2021.

Since then, the Rockets have been rooted at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Their deliberate strategy of rebuilding through tanking over the past few seasons has resulted in the acquisition of a roster filled with promising young talent. Players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason have displayed flashes of their potential, although maintaining consistent performances has proven challenging for them. However, the Rockets have shown marked improvement this season under the leadership of Ime Udoka. Udoka’s transformative impact extends not only to the team’s roster but to the entire Rockets franchise. The rapid progress seen under Udoka’s leadership has led to many people wondering: Is Udoka the best coach in the NBA right now?

Ime Udoka among the elites

While the pick for the best coach is highly subjective, Udoka’s transformative impact on the Rockets has led to his inclusion in the debate. The NBA boasts some of the brightest strategic minds in basketball, with coaches like Erik Spoelstra, Steve Kerr, and Gregg Popovich all trying to out-smart each other in their pursuit of the Larry O’Brien trophy. However, if there’s a coach who has impressed the majority of people this season, it is Ime Udoka.

Before this season, the Rockets had a combined record of 59 wins and 177 losses in three seasons under coach Stephan Silas. It was the worst three-season stretch in franchise history. However, Udoka’s arrival has seen a marked improvement in the team’s performance. Udoka, aided by massive free-agency moves, has turned Houston into a borderline playoff contender.

The Rockets currently hold the ninth position in the Western Conference standings, securing eight victories and enduring eight losses. Notably, they’ve achieved significant victories against title contenders like the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers. While their home performances have been formidable with 8 wins and 1 defeat, their away form has been abysmal, having lost all seven away games. Should the Houston Rockets improve their away performance and clinch a playoff spot in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, Udoka’s brilliance would become indisputable. His strong case for the Coach of the Year award would be difficult to contest under such circumstances.

Udoka’s transformative effect on the Rockets

Following James Harden’s departure in 2021, the Rockets have endured a period of NBA obscurity. But, Udoka seems to have brought fresh ideas and a new approach to a Rockets franchise desperately in need of that. In just a brief period, Udoka has implemented significant changes, bringing a transformative impact to the Houston Rockets.

Ime Udoka’s most impactful alteration involves elevating Alperen Sengun as the focal point of the offense, shifting away from a reliance on Jalen Green. Sengun’s playmaking aligns perfectly with Udoka’s emphasis on a team-oriented, ball-movement approach. In the previous season, the Rockets had a stagnant offense marked by predictability, as players took turns engaging in iso-heavy basketball. This difference in approach could be seen by reviewing their underlying stats. Last season, Houston had an offensive rating of 111.4, the third-worst offense in the NBA. This season, Houston has an offensive rating of 114.4, 13th best in the league.

However, the offense isn’t the biggest improvement under Udoka. It is their defense that has impressed most people. The inclusion of players like Fred VanVleet and Dillion Brooks has helped them immensely. Last season, Houston had a defensive rating of 119.3, the second-worst in the league. This season, Houston’s defensive rating is 110.6, the seventh-best in the league. By looking at the underlying stats can we fathom the transformative effect that Udoka has had on this young Rockets’ roster?

Ime Udoka’s coaching philosophy

Before getting the head coaching gig at Houston, Udoka coached the Boston Celtics, where he led them to the NBA Finals in 2022. Though Udoka might not have immense experience as a head coach, he has been a key part of the backroom staff on several teams. In 2012, he joined Gregg Popovich at San Antonio as an assistant coach. The resilient defense and ball movement exhibited by the 2014 Spurs left a lasting imprint on Udoka, serving as a blueprint for his coaching style.

Read More: Alperen Sengun Ditched His Parents’ “Boring” Wish to Flourish in NBA With the Rockets

Udoka described his coaching style as, “My style, personally, is very up-front, honest and blunt to an extent. I think players respect that, honestly. I’m a very relatable guy to the players and I try to build those relationships. Coach them hard, coach them the right way, and I think people respect that.” The potential in this Rockets team is immense, but realizing that potential poses a distinct challenge. However, Udoka’s tough love style of coaching could prove to be the catalyst needed for the team’s improvement.

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