Ime Udoka Not Solely Responsible for Rockets’ Struggles
It’s clear that the Houston Rockets haven’t been set up for consistent success this season. Their style of play reflects a more traditional approach, emphasizing defense and fast-break opportunities, using their youth and athleticism to gain an edge.
Offensively, however, Houston differs from most modern teams. They don’t rely heavily on three-point shooting, averaging just 30.8 attempts per game—second-fewest in the league. While this approach somewhat aligns with head coach Ime Udoka’s tendencies, it still marks a noticeable drop compared to previous seasons. Last year, the Rockets averaged around 36 three-point attempts per game, similar to their 2023–24 numbers.
A major issue has been the absence of reliable point guard play. Fred VanVleet has missed the entire season due to injury, which has significantly impacted the team. His leadership, defensive ability, and composure have been sorely missed. Known for taking care of the ball and efficiently running the offense, VanVleet excels at putting teammates in optimal scoring positions.
His absence has been particularly challenging for Kevin Durant, who often struggles to receive the ball cleanly due to heavy defensive attention, including double teams and traps.
Although some critics have pointed fingers at Udoka, analysts like Kendrick Perkins argue that the coach can only do so much under these circumstances. Without a capable point guard, it’s difficult to consistently get Durant the ball in advantageous situations.
Improved perimeter shooting could help ease some of these issues by forcing defenses to stretch out and respect the Rockets’ spacing. Additionally, Houston may benefit from giving Reed Sheppard more responsibility as the primary ball handler, rather than relying heavily on Amen Thompson in that role, which may not maximize his strengths.
Ultimately, the Rockets chose not to address their point guard depth, leaving the roster as is. Their success moving forward—especially in the playoffs—will largely depend on their ability to convert shots and make the most of their current lineup.
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