Ime Udoka is not settling for the Rockets: "We’re not here to just make the first round"

Ime Udoka was clear during the Houston Rockets Media Day. The coach believes the team did not meet expectations during Kevin Durant's first season in the franchise, finishing the season with 52 wins and being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

“I don't think anyone met our expectations,” Udoka acknowledged when analyzing the 2025-26 season. The coach feels that Houston stagnated after taking important steps during his early years leading the team, and now hopes the Rockets can change that dynamic.

“The expectations were to take significant steps last year, and I feel that in the three years I’ve been here, now entering the fourth, last year we stagnated to a certain extent. The regular season was decent given the circumstances, but it could have been much better,” explained Udoka.

Thus, the goal is not simply to qualify for the playoffs again. “We’re not here to get out of the first round. We want to make real noise, and I think everyone is hungry to achieve that,” added the coach.

VanVleet and Adams, two crucial returns

One of the main reasons explaining Houston's struggles last season was the injuries to two veteran players crucial for the project: Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams.

VanVleet suffered a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that ended his season in September, just before the start of training camp, during a workout in the Bahamas. His absence forced the Rockets to distribute playmaking responsibilities among Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Reed Sheppard.

The result was a team with ball-handling issues. Houston finished the 2025-26 season ranked 24th in the NBA in turnovers, with 14.4 per game, while allowing 18.8 points per game from turnovers.

Now VanVleet is available again after receiving clearance to participate in five-on-five drills. The 32-year-old guard has also participated in several practice games over the past few weeks.

“I’m progressing well,” VanVleet said. “Twelve months ago, I couldn’t walk at this time of year, and considering that, I’d say I’m doing pretty well right now.”

Udoka has not yet decided how he will manage his minutes at the start of the season, although all signs point to Houston being cautious with him and possibly avoiding back-to-back games in the early weeks.

“This team was built to have Steven and me on the court, not on the bench or in street clothes,” explained VanVleet. “There are many areas where things will naturally return to the way they’re supposed to be.”

Adams, for his part, was only able to play 32 games before undergoing surgery in January that ended his season due to a left ankle injury.

The center is especially important for a team that has led the NBA in offensive rebounds for the past two seasons. His absence also reduced Houston's interior depth and increased Sengun's offensive responsibilities.

“It feels good to be back on the court,” Adams said. “It’s been a while. I have quite a bit of confidence in the position I’m in now, but it’s important to take the necessary time. Recovering from an injury is one thing, but reaching NBA level and having an impact is a different matter.”

The growth of the youth, the great hope

Despite the problems, general manager Rafael Stone found positive aspects in a disappointing season. The executive particularly highlighted the growth of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr.

“Being forced to take on those positions will end up being very good for their careers,” Stone explained. “Just looking at them now, they have much more confidence than at this same time last year.”

The Rockets have also strengthened their roster over the summer with veteran players like Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. This, along with the returns of VanVleet and Adams and the development of a young generation entering the new season with more experience, adds to their hopes.

Stone admitted he enters the new season with more excitement than a year ago. “I’m definitely more excited at today’s Media Day than I was when we faced last season,” he stated.

Durant will also have to manage his minutes

Kevin Durant is entering his second season in Houston, the 20th of his NBA career, after finishing last season with 36.4 minutes per game, the third-highest figure in the league despite being 37 years old.

For that reason, both Udoka and Stone have talked about reducing his minute load. However, Durant doesn’t seem too concerned about that possibility.

“Why?” he responded when asked about the possibility of playing less.

“I’m better on the court. The team is better when I’m on the court. If we do our job during the first three quarters or earlier, then maybe,” Durant explained.

The veteran also made it clear that he doesn’t want his age to be the sole reason to limit his participation. “I understand the concern. But if the game needs me out there, I want to be out there,” he stated.

After a first year that ended again with a first-round exit, the Rockets now face a season where Udoka hopes all the pieces can finally function as intended. The return of VanVleet and Adams, the growth of the youth, the new signings, and Durant’s continuity form the foundation on which Houston aims to move past its stagnation.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Ime Udoka no se conforma con los Rockets: “No estamos aquí para pasar la primera ronda”