This team has lots of problems, but IMO, Ime is the least of them. When Stone puts a functional roster together, let us judge Ime at that juncture.
A coach being as good as his roster. What a concept you would think common sense would reign in more folks
I'm not worried about Udoka. He's without several key rotation pieces and is playing guys he inherited who don't really fit his system. Time will take care of that. Yes, it would be nice if he could adapt better to what he has to work with, but I'm not sure that's realistic. And, yes, it also feels like he may be losing some of the buy in he had before, and that's also disappointing, but what he's doing will work with the right personnel, and that's on Stone to put together. This team will look a lot different a year or two from now.
Ime is not a miracle worker. You cant win games with this roster with key guys in street clothes. We simply don’t have the roster depth. Even at full strength this roster has significant holes. The only two consistent players the team can rely on are Fred and Sengun. Everyone else is a work in progress or has significant weaknesses. Bari still developing and growing into his body. Jalen is the worst starting 2 in the NBA. Brooks is a role player. Cam is 19 and still learning the game. Tari has been hurt all year. Amen gonna be a stud but can’t shoot. I’m not making excuses. I haven’t always liked Ime’s lineups, but Ime can’t add players to the team. That’s the GM’s job. This is a lotto roster no matter who is coaching. Ime hasn’t been perfect but he’s done a good job with what he’s working with.
The Rockets have a depth problem at PG, but the biggest issue is not enough stars. When a star gets hurt on a good team, it isn't the 7th or 8th man on the roster keeping the offense afloat, it is the other star and starters. The Rockets starters just don't shoot well enough and don't have the handle to break down a defense when everyone is on Sengun. At some point, the Rockets gotta do something about Green even if it is just starting Holiday or Amen when FVV is back. I know Amen can't shoot, but at least he doesn't shoot and moslty miss 8-9 threes a game. Brooks and Smith aren't helping lately either. Tari would help if he can come back healthy. He doesn't help the offense much but at least no one scores when he's playing.
Kind of hard to win without star power. Closest thing to a star we have so far is Sengun, but he's not there yet. Add that to the fact that we have a team full of youth combined with overpaid non-stars and you have what you have, a wildly inconsistent team with minimal discipline.
so awesome. surpassing 20 wins is such a daunting task. especially when you spent max money to 1 player. $90 mil to another. and a roster full of extremely high draft picks but woohooo already surpassed the 22 win total. sitting at a whopping 24
you clearly didn't get that post you originally replied to. here's a hint just for you. It's a reference for all the folks who thought Ime was some magician and going to just turn the rockets instantly around. You were one of them actually. no wonder that post triggered something
Ime already surpassed last years total. How is that not turning the Rocket around? Half of Ime's roster is out with injury. Stone went out to get Lopez which gutted the whole roster. Stone just picked up dudes off the street for Ime to coach then their talent ran out. Ime is playing with a 37 year old undersized back up center and relying on Holiday to shoot 3's. Jock landale is unplayable, his best defenders have been injured the whole season. You trying to tell me Ime should be even better than he is now with a broken roster? youre being weird. per usual.
wtf are you talking about. most of yall were talking playoffs, .500 or better team, and all that other bs. Now its oh they've won 24 games. awesome. that goal post move sure came at you fast injury. you mean the rockets haven't been playing teams that aren't injured themselves. The rockets are exactly who I knew they would be. a 30 something win team.
Udoka's "lack of energy/effort/toughness" criticisms have the potential to backfire. "It's not my scheme or coaching, it's the players not trying hard enough, too soft". He has to use those takes judiciously, and players have to agree with the criticism. He has to point to specific instances of it rather than a blanket statement. Kevin McHale would say similar things all the time after a loss. "Not enough energy, ball got sticky, etc"
