The Houston Rockets yesterday named Emi Udoka as the team’s new head coach.
Udoka became the team’s 15th head coach in franchise history.
In his only season as Boston’s head coach in 2021-22, Udoka helped the Celtics come back from the previous season’s . 500 record to win 51 games, capping a stellar run to the NBA Finals that included Game 7 wins over Milwaukee. and Miami.
“We are excited to welcome Ime to the Houston Rockets,” said Rockets general manager Rafael Stone. “Ime’s intelligence, leadership and toughness were the traits we were looking for in a coach to lead our team through this next phase of our development as we strive to become champions. I was honored to have the opportunity to speak to several high profile candidates during the interview process and we felt that Ime’s vision aligned best with our goals. Fertitta’s family and me for the future of the Rockets.”
Udoka’s Celtics ranked first in the league in both field goal defense and fewest points allowed in 2021-22 after the team finished 13th in the defensive rankings the previous season. He was a two-time winner of the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month award and finished fourth in Coach of the Year voting.
Prior to becoming head coach for the Celtics, Udoka was an assistant coach on Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio staff from 2012-13 through 2018-19, Brett Brown’s Philadelphia staff in 2019-20 and Steve Nash’s Brooklyn staff in 2020-21. Playoffs in each of Odoka’s nine seasons as an assistant, as Spurs won the title in 2013-14. Udoka was also a member of Popovich’s USA basketball team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
According to the Houston Chronicle, “Udoka led Boston to the 2022 Finals in his first season as head coach, but he was suspended in September and fired in February for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, which is considered a violation of team rules.” During the All-Star break two months ago, he agreed The Celtics have a long-term contract with Joe Mazzola, who is starting the season as their interim head coach.”
More facts: “Udoka issued a statement after his suspension apologizing for his actions without specifically addressing them. He has not commented since. “I want to apologize to our players, the fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said in the statement. In this difficult situation, I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
As a player, Udoka spent parts of seven seasons in the NBA from 2003-04 through 2010-11 while appearing in 316 games with 80 starts. After he got out of business in 2000, he had brief stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and New York City, but spent most of his time in the NBA Development League and played abroad. Udoka’s first full NBA season as a 29-year-old was with Portland in 2006-07 and the following season, he helped the Spurs reach the Western Conference Finals. Besides Popovich, Udoka has played with Phil Jackson, Larry Brown, Nate McMillan and Paul Westphal.