When Ime Udoka took over as head coach of the Houston Rockets in 2023, the franchise had just finished a 22-60 season and lacked a clear identity. After several rebuilding years and limited direction under former coach Stephen Silas, Houston needed more structure.
Udoka, fresh off an NBA Finals appearance with the Boston Celtics just a year earlier, arrived with a blueprint that prioritized defense, accountability, and results.
One season later, the Rockets finished 52-30, grabbed the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and posted top-five marks in both defensive and net rating. Despite a first-round playoff exit, the shift in tone and performance was unmistakable.
The Rockets’ front office responded accordingly, finalizing a new long-term extension with Udoka that positions him among the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.
Udonis Haslem Says Ime Udoka’s Presence Has Always Been Clear
As the basketball world reacts to the Rockets’ investment in Udoka, former Heat veteran Udonis Haslem offered his own perspective on Udoka’s leadership style, one he’s noticed going back to Udoka’s time in Boston.
Reflecting on how the Celtics operated under Udoka during their 2022 NBA Finals run, Haslem pointed out how the coach, not the stars, was the visible voice in the huddle during high-stakes moments.
“When I looked down to [the Celtics’] huddle, it was Ime Udoka leading that charge,” Haslem said. “It wasn’t Tatum, it wasn’t Brown, it wasn’t Smart,”
“When I looked down to [the Celtics’] huddle, it was Ime Udoka leading that charge. It wasn’t Tatum, it wasn’t Brown, it wasn’t Smart.”@ThisIsUD speaks on what Ime Udoka’s leadership means to young players 💪 pic.twitter.com/Mix0xIJhoy
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 19, 2025
That quality carried over to Houston, where a young roster built around Jalen Green, Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr., and Amen Thompson responded quickly to his structure. In one season, the Rockets moved from a bottom-five defense to a top-four unit and finished with the seventh-best net rating in the NBA.
Houston’s offseason is expected to remain active. The front office has already extended Steven Adams and will decide soon on Fred VanVleet’s $44.9 million team option. With Udoka’s role now secured long-term, the Rockets head into this next phase with continuity at the top and a coach whose leadership continues to earn respect across the NBA.