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 and 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 reported 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 by Boston after findings of an inappropriate workplace relationship.
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.