Ime Udoka after Rockets crazy collapse to Timberwolves 12/27/2024

just gotta keep reminding people that the rockets right now are better than expected. Rockets just wanted to be a play in team. still top of the league.

 

Right. But we win if we hit some free throws late.

I'm not saying the offence was slick. FVV getting stuck with long heaves I don't like. But we don't really have a 1A guy who can take over late. We rely on execution, which means taking the opportunities presented. IE hit the FTs - that was the simplest fix for tonight's game.

Ah well. Next up.

 

Reed is mother goose….always laying eggs.

 

Easy answer- turnovers.

FVV has an assist to turnover ratio of 4.3:1
Holiday 3.6
Sengun 2.28
Shepard 2.19


Everyone else is terrible.

Jalen is 1:1 .... 76 assists, 76 turnovers.


Maybe Holiday should see more minutes ....

 

Ime Udoka Top 5 for the late 4th Quarter
PG Fred VanVleet
SG Amen Thompson
SF JaeSean Tate
PF Jabari Smith
C Alperen Sengun

 

10 point lead with 2-30 left.

Alperen Sengun gets lazy and doesn't defend Naz Reid 3 pointer.
Fred VanVleet fouled Anthony Edwards 3 point play.
JaeSean Tate, Jabari Smith playing over Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore is a Criminal act by Ime Udoka.

Anthony Edwards saw JaeSean Tate and shot the 3 pointer like it was easy work.

Fred VanVleet with a Chucking 3 pointer in the End. It was a Perfect Ending for Ime Udoka.

 

Sengun 2.23:1

 

Did we have a timeout left for our last possession? Alpi must've been gassed to kick it out to FVV in the parking lot rather than go whirling dervish to the rack himself.

 

Tonight's stats may not have updated .... still 0.05

That's 5 hundredths. A tiny fraction ....

 

Ah lol sorry I missed Sengun in your post.

 

This definitely stings, no doubt there. That being said, we need to realize where this team is at:
17-55
20-62
22-60
41-41
21-10

We are still on pace to go 55-27. That would be a remarkable turnaround from 22-60 just 2 years ago. I think the tough schedule will even things out a bit, but I still see us in the low 50s. I find myself getting so frustrated about some of these loses, but then I realize we are spoiled in this quicker than expected improvement. We almost expect this to be a top 3 team in the west the entire season, which would be remarkable in a much tougher western conference. It’s still a suuuuper young team, growing pains are a part of that. But, let’s enjoy this ride, because as someone out of market, paying for league pass during those 60 loss seasons was really painful and questionable at times (or the entire time).

I do like our youngsters and I agree to let them grow, but I don’t want FVV back next year at his price tag, so I do begin to wonder if it’s time to explore trading some of our secondary young talent for a scorer. At this point, with this quick ascent, why not try to balance out this team a little more offensively and take an even further step, especially given the depth of young talent we have. Can’t keep them all when contract extensions come up, so maybe package a few of them and take that next step. That all being said, I’m just happy this team is relevant and fun (last night notwithstanding) to watch.

 

In late game situations we just really don’t have a guy you can give the ball too who can execute in late game situations. I love FVV but he’s not able to make it happen like a star lead guard can. He shouldn’t be expected too either. When you have guys out there in that situation who throw the ball away on silly turnovers like Jalen did that always leads to an easy three.

We really need one of our young guys to really step up the last half of the season and really be a coach on the floor in close games. Otherwise we gotta just keep the peddle to the metal and hope we blow teams out. Dont let it get close. Keep the pace up and make stops that lead to fast breaks.

 

Udoka late game play calling is pretty bad.

 

He is hot tempered unfortunately, not just getting mad but it seems to affect that a lot.

I don't mind passion but I also need someone with a cool head in all those games.

 

No but it never should have gotten that close to make a difference. Ime's undying love for FVV is a critical flaw. Stone should take away the crutch and see if Ime can coach a fast offense and keep the defensive intensity. I think Ime is a hell of a motivator and just what the doctor ordered, but he is offensively challenged. It's not about this one game, it is about the whole season where we are 27th in offense. You will not be a contender with the 27th rated offense, even if you have the best defense in the league. i use this more when evaluating players, but basketball is played on two sides of the court. Teams that win have to be good at both.

 

The game was lost as a combination of Ime being completely incompetent when it comes to running rotations and Jalen, Jabari, and Cam combining to go 11-32 for 30 points.

Tired players due to incompetence and chuckers not hitting their shots.

 

Missed the first 3.7 quarters but caught the final few minutes. They looked completely gassed by the end.

FVV at time hits those shots, even on nights when he’s been cold. But tonight, he was hitting earlier in the game, so it wasn’t a “bad” shot. Still, in that moment, they should’ve taken the time to reset and draw up a play and bring in all shooters to surround Sengun, instead of forcing it with 2 “bad” shooters.

 

Ime Udoka and Alperen Sengun took the bait. Overworking Sengun. Not implementing Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore.

Chris Finch out coached Ime Udoka in every facet, outsmarted Ime overworking Sengun instead of getting everyone involved.

Alperen Sengun drenched in sweat can't shoot Free Throws, Hook Shot, passed up a Last Second Shot for Fred VanVleet 3 point clunker.

Alperen Sengun will never be a First Option, too scared to shoot wants a bail out everytime.

Jalen Green and Cam Whitmore are not afraid taking the last second shot.

 

Cam Whitmore sitting on the bench, no reaction hands on face, knowing Rockets Sengun about to blow this game.

 

4th 2:36

3PT

Nickeil Alexander-Walker makes a 26-foot three-pointer from the left wing assisted by Donte DiVincenzo

103 - 107

4th 2:12
Alperen Şengün misses a hook shot


4th 2:11
Anthony Edwards defensive rebound


4th 2:00
3PT
Naz Reid misses a 23-foot three-pointer from the left corner


4th 1:59
Naz Reid offensive rebound


4th 1:57

Layup by Naz Reid

105 - 110

4th 1:40
3PT
Fred VanVleet misses a 26-foot three-pointer from the right wing



4th 1:39

Nickeil Alexander-Walker defensive rebound

4th 1:31

Anthony Edwards drives to the hoop for a layup assisted by Donte DiVincenzo

107 - 110

4th 1:31
Shooting foul on Fred VanVleet. Anthony Edwards to shoot 1 free throw

4th 1:31
Anthony Edwards hits a free throw

108-110

4th 1:10
3PT
Fred VanVleet misses a 28-foot three-pointer from the top of the arc


4th 1:09
Alperen Şengün offensive rebound

4th 1:09
Shooting foul on Naz Reid. Alperen Şengün to shoot 2 free throws

4th 1:09
Alperen Şengün hits the first free throw
108-111

4th 1:09
Alperen Şengün misses the second free throw


4th 1:06
Anthony Edwards defensive rebound

4th :57.5
Julius Randle drives to the hoop for a dunk

110-111

4th :41.9
Shooting foul on Anthony Edwards. Alperen Şengün to shoot 2 free throws

4th :41.9
Alperen Şengün hits the first free throw

110-112

4th :41.9
Alperen Şengün misses the second free throw

4th :41.9
Anthony Edwards defensive rebound

4th :23.2 3PT
Anthony Edwards makes a 25-foot three-pointer from the left wing assisted by Nickeil Alexander-Walker

113 -112


4th :01.8 3PT
Fred VanVleet misses a 26-foot three-pointer from the right wing

4th :01.8
Anthony Edwards defensive rebound