Rockets, Ime Udoka unveil coaching philosophy that'll help in beating Lakers

Smith Jr. outlined how this hard-nosed approach in the NBA Playoffs have affected the young Rockets, via Sam Amick of The Athletic.

"He knows our team is good enough to do big things, and to do special things, but sometimes the mental side isn’t there. And I think he is growing in a sense as far as just having that patience, but at the same time, it’s like urging us and pushing us to grow up. I think it definitely is different for him, just having young guys who maybe don’t know the things that you’re expecting to know you know," the Rockets forward said.

The Rockets have seen some fruit come out of how Coach Udoka treats the team. Their defensive rating of 113.2 which was ranked sixth in the regular season rose all the way up to a 106.3 defensive rating. The next challenge will be seeing if their offense can improve given his philosophy because their effective field goal percentage regressed from 54.2% in the regular season to 53.3% in the NBA Playoffs.

Coach Udoka knows that this system works and it is why they have a chance against the Lakers too.

"I am who I am, and you can only be who you are. Guys respect that, and they know that by now. But in certain moments, certain situations, it’s like I said, ‘Grow up.’ We wanted to show growth or progress in certain situations, and I think they did that," Coach Udoka declared.

There is only one way to find out if this philosophy works with the Rockets. It all relies on seeing if they win Games 6 and 7 to clinch a NBA Playoffs second round berth against the Lakers.

More Rockets News:

1. Ime Udoka namedrops who Rockets will rely on to win NBA Playoffs series vs. Lakers

2. Lakers vs Rockets picks and predictions for Game 6: Trade NBA markets on Kalshi

3. Lakers vs. Rockets series schedule, TV schedule, scores