The Rockets transitioned their 2023-24 NBA training camp back to Houston for Sunday’s open practice with fans at Toyota Center. The first four days were held in Lake Charles, Louisiana, but the team is now gearing up for Tuesday’s home preseason opener.
As part of a roundtable conversation on the court with play-by-play broadcaster Craig Ackerman and Hall of Fame legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, head coach Ime Udoka told fans that his team wants to “change the perception of the organization.”
Buy Rockets TicketsComing off three straight years with the worst record in the Western Conference, the best way for the Rockets to accomplish that mission is to exceed expectations in terms of wins and losses. While they’re still widely viewed as a young and rebuilding team, Houston did supplement its young core this offseason with key veteran signings such as Fred VanVleet, Dillon Brooks, and Jeff Green.
Here’s a look at many of Sunday’s top moments, along with select interviews and analysis by fans and media members in attendance.
Sunday’s open practice highlights
🚀 @HoustonRockets legend Clyde Drexler says Coach Ime Udoka will get the franchise back to its winning ways. pic.twitter.com/9XIrzC9UXc
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 8, 2023
Ime Udoka at the open practice pic.twitter.com/zEWNqY1SWo
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
some legends at @HoustonRockets annual open practice @FOX26Houston pic.twitter.com/W6HafaKWhS
— maggie mckethan (@maggiemckethan) October 8, 2023
Coach Ime Udoka getting the Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler endorsement at #Rockets open practice.
Good stuff.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 8, 2023
Clyde Drexler: "If you don't play great defense and if you don't play hard, you won't play for Ime Udoka."
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 8, 2023
Udoka on his childhood hero, Clyde Drexler and Clyde on Udoka pic.twitter.com/z6fDO6zVGM
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
Hakeem Olajuwon pic.twitter.com/uBs9deRO99
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
Even the #Rockets open practice has structure now!
This is amazing.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) October 8, 2023
Rookies sort of dancing pic.twitter.com/phNgSLSmOG
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
Followed by Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/qnFzCMrrFD
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
GOOOOD MORNING FROM OPEN PRACTICE ☀️ pic.twitter.com/NRI4Xax6WM
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 8, 2023
Tipping things off 👏
Our season ticket members are meeting the squad! pic.twitter.com/molCGUcBma
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 8, 2023
familiar faces 😁 pic.twitter.com/rtz2b0FHjh
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 8, 2023
Fans showing out! pic.twitter.com/XFMilyHIly
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) October 8, 2023
Confirmed: Dillon Brooks has moves. @HoustonRockets | @SpaceCityHN pic.twitter.com/yl29Hs4JMp
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) October 8, 2023
Ime Udoka said the #Rockets want to be a team this year that "changes the perception of the organization."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) October 8, 2023
Ime Udoka, Hakeem Olajuwon,Clyde Drexler in one photo.
That’s the Houston Rockets basketball in 2023.
Great dialogue with Craig Ackerman at Rockets open practice today! pic.twitter.com/S4DRuzn4QF
— 👑 Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson (@ScoopB) October 8, 2023
Not that it matters, but Ime Udoka is actually coordinating the #Rockets open practice right now.
I went to the previous 2 open practices. This is a first.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) October 8, 2023
Nice crowd gathering for #Rockets open practice. pic.twitter.com/9svdlp0LHe
— Jerome Solomon (@JeromeSolomon) October 8, 2023
My daydream is Ime Udoka comes in here and makes the Rockets give 110% effort at Open Practice instead of the usual 5%.
— Rocketgirl (@00rocketgirl) October 8, 2023
Rockets 🚀 #Liftoff Party w/Rockets PA Announcer, @TheJSanford 🤘 https://t.co/b87zhhkxBZ
— Jonathan Sanford (@TheJSanford) October 8, 2023
The crowd for the Rockets open practice exceeded 8,500, not bad for the second beautiful day in five months, with the Texans playing and the Astros' Game 2 tonight.
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) October 8, 2023
