Udoka name calling Thompson, Reid Shepard after epic collapse against the Knicks
The Houston Rockets are struggling with a significant identity crisis after several frustrating defeats against teams they were expected to beat. This fight has sparked a debate about the team’s leadership, with many fans and analysts looking into it Reed Sheppard to be included in the starting line-up. Proponents of the move argue that the Rockets lack a traditional floor general to orchestrate their offense in high-pressure moments. However, the head coach Ime Udoka was firm in his refusal to be benched Amen Thompson in favor of newcomers.
Udoka clarified that such a seismic change is not in sight, primarily because the team prefers a solid defensive identity. While Thompson is considered one of the league’s best defenders, Shepard still has significant strides to make on that part of the floor to warrant a starting role in Udoka’s system.
This lack of late-game organization was on full display during a close 108-106 loss to the Knicks, where as many as 30 points Kevin Durant it was not enough to secure victory. The collapse highlighted the very inconsistencies that have plagued Houston all year.
After the game, Udoka expressed his frustration with the performance of the backfield. According to Kelly Ico on X, Head Coach noticed that the ball had stopped moving as the team relied too much on the isolation game.
Udoka noted that it was a familiar story of losing games this way and stated: “The ball stopped moving, started to isolate too much. Same story – we’ve lost too many games like this. I tell Amen and Reid to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; it’s not time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense.”
The pressure on these young guards only increased after the Rockets decided to hit the trade deadline. Despite the visible gaps in perimeter shooting, the front office has essentially tasked its current roster with solving these problems internally. This puts a lot of focus on Reed Shepardwho is currently suffering from a difficult shot.
If the Rockets really want to stop the free-flowing styles that Udoka has criticized, they’ll need to find a balance between developing their young scorers and making sure they’re on the floor when the game is on the line.
2026-02-22 14:37:00
