An extremely safe claim for Ime Udoka before the regular season
Making Udoka and Houston The Rockets are preparing for the 2025-26 regular season. Houston has high expectations for the new campaign. The The Rockets will play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday to kick off the season. Contending teams like OKC are sure to pay attention to Udoka’s latest comments — because the head coach obviously is there is no lack of confidence in his team.
According to reporter Lachard Binkley, Udoka was asked to give his thoughts on teams trying to copy Houston’s double-big lineup. The Rockets coach noted that other teams are taking this approach, but said opponents can’t completely copy Houston’s strategy.
“There are more double lineups in the league than you think,” Udoka told reporters. “Everybody’s talking about stretch fours, stretch fives. But we didn’t have a problem doing it because of some of the lineups… Copy cat league, honestly. Some people will see something that works and they… use the same thing. We prepare for it, knowing how effective it was for us.
“They’re all trying to be like us… They can’t do it quite like us. I guess you’re a little proud.”
That’s a confident statement from the head coach who will play the defending champion at the start of the regular season. One has to imagine that the talented teams will have even more motivation before they play Udok and the Rockets.
Still, Udoka probably isn’t worried. He is ready for the challenge. Houston added more talent this offseason — including Kevin Durant — as the team looks to win sooner rather than later.
Joey Mistretta is the Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. Mistreta graduated from Biola University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism, and has contributed to the NBA Analysis Network and RotoWire.
2025-10-18 22:49:00
