The Houston Rockets are starting a crucial 2023 offseason with a bang, naming Ime Udoka as their new head coach. He replaces Stephen Silas, who went 59-177 (.250) over the previous three years.
Udoka brings the type of coaching experience and big-name credibility Houston was believed to be seeking as the start of this process. In one season with the Celtics, he led Boston to a 51-31 (.622) record, followed by a trip to the NBA Finals in the 2022 playoffs.
Though Udoka lost his job prior to the 2022-23 season due to an alleged affair with a female subordinate, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports Houston researched that incident with the team and league office. Apparently, that investigation did not reveal anything that would prevent Udoka from accepting a future job.
Udoka, 45, was dismissed after findings of an inappropriate workplace relationship and missed the entire 2022-23 season.
The Rockets probed the circumstances around Udoka’s Celtics departure with the team and league office, sources said. Udoka – who led the Celtics to the 2022 NBA Finals in his only season as head coach – was dismissed after findings of an inappropriate workplace relationship.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2023
Prior to his eventful season as Boston’s head coach, Udoka was a former NBA player, and he served as an assistant for nine years with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
Seven of those nine assistant years were spent on the staff of legendary coach Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs.
Here’s a look at immediate reaction to Udoka’s hire by the Rockets. A press conference is expected to be held later this week.
Reaction to Rockets hiring Ime Udoka
Rockets and Udoka moved fairly quickly toward each other after initial meeting, sources tell ESPN. Udoka and GM Rafael Stone kept talking on job. Both sides had some strong options in the marketplace but a deal got done in the last 24 hours to land Udoka with the Rockets. Young… https://t.co/fRPG3Wwy2Y
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 24, 2023
Udoka might have been the favorite from the start, though several of the candidates were impressive in interviews. Udoka seemed the clear choice by the weekend with the "agreement in principle," per source, coming together last night and this morning. https://t.co/ITo8jOpezq
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) April 24, 2023
A team that needs a culture makeover more than anyone, they bring in the guy that turned the Celtics around in 1 season to become one of the best teams in the NBA. Now will Udoka address why he was let go in Boston & what he will do to ensure a safe workplace environment? https://t.co/MRNJlUYM0T
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) April 24, 2023
Udoka has a short, but impressive on-court resume. The brevity of his resume + scandal kept him out of my Top 4, but this is a quality hire.
His reported ability to connect with players will undoubtedly come in handy as the Rockets transition to the next stage of their rebuild.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) April 24, 2023
The #Rockets were confident they would walk away with a top coach and they did exactly that with Ime Udoka.
Great job handling the first major piece of this offseason. Excited for the future.
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) April 24, 2023
Ime Udoka was the best available coach on the market, but there was a reason why he was available. This will be a fascinating introductory press conference, whenever it happens, and it will be the first time Udoka will speak publicly since the Celtics suspended him
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 24, 2023
I asked Saturday if #Rockets were concerned by Toronto as a potential Udoka suitor, both in terms of desirability or due to a potential bidding war. Was told firmly no, that they believed they were best job on the market and were willing to spend. That turned out to be the case.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) April 24, 2023
👀👀👀
— Tyty Washington (@tytywashington3) April 24, 2023
This is the shortest coaching search the Rockets have conducted since 1982.
Houston likely felt an urgency to move quick after the Raptors job opened up.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) April 24, 2023
Tilman Fertitta brought Kelvin Sampson to UH despite his baggage from Indiana and Oklahoma and that worked out brilliantly, nine years later he’ll try for the same magic with Ime Udoka
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) April 24, 2023
Rockets going from Silas to Ime is honestly pretty insane, talk about the absolute best case scenario for this team
— Abel (@AbelGe87) April 24, 2023
Ime Udoka is the new Houston Rockets coach. I love this hire — assuming the past issues were fully investigated, the Rockets land a coach that is a former player with a great resume, strong voice and demands accountability.
We're live on @RocketsWatch https://t.co/FNbUCvzWNx
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 24, 2023
Ime Udoka is exactly what the Rockets needed to create a winning culture. He will hold players accountable and instill toughness within the team.
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) April 24, 2023
I reached out to Ime Udoka to say congratulations on accepting the Rockets head coaching job! Houston is getting a championship-caliber coach.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 24, 2023
Holy fuckidjndbdicidkdkdd https://t.co/M5FAh08ZrZ
— MOMSTER “🫖” (@teroyaeason) April 24, 2023
The #Rockets identified Ime Udoka as their guy and they went out and got him. Huge credit to all involved in Houston. I'm extremely excited about this hire.
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) April 24, 2023
LOVE this. #Rockets https://t.co/XPgg2M8lUj
— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) April 24, 2023
Udoka must have had a hell of an interview because after all that smoke Nurse didn't even get an interview
— Kyle Chilek (@Kchile22) April 24, 2023
Let that Jaylen Brown recruitment begin 😎 🚀 #Rockets https://t.co/f01V4HeswX
— Jorge Flores (@jorgecflores22) April 24, 2023
Credit the Rockets for this hire. Ime Udoka will be expensive. Ime Udoka will hold players accountable. Ime Udoka won't back down to the front office. They broke the mold and went with a very strong candidate.
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) April 24, 2023
Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN analyst and former Rockets coach, on Ime Udoka who the Rockets are hiring as their new head coach: "I think he's an outstanding coach who has been in so many different situations that has made him the coach he is today. He learned, not only working for…” pic.twitter.com/lWW0AOpHIC
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) April 24, 2023
