PHILADELPHIA — Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has a great deal of NBA experience under his belt. He spent seven seasons playing in the league and then served as an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets.
He was the coach of the Boston Celtics and then took the Houston job this past offseason. He knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the game.
Before the Sixers knocked off the Rockets, 124-115, on Monday, Udoka gave respect to Tyrese Maxey for the way he’s taken big leaps.
“He’s been great for them,” Udoka said of Maxey. “Obviously, he’s taken a huge jump this year. He had a really good game against us, but it’s something you kind of saw coming with opportunity and (James) Harden being — may have benefited him greatly.”
Maxey and Joel Embiid have formed one of the top tandems in the league, and Udoka has noticed.
“Obviously, having the ball in his hands a lot more, and just the opportunity he has, but you know, good sidekick for Joel. A guy that’s really forming into his own as a young guy in this league, but not surprised at all based on what he’s done in his young career so far.”
Udoka was an assistant with the Sixers in the 2019-20 season, so knows Embiid on a personal level. He help the big fella take steps forward, and he notices a big difference in the reigning league MVP compared to the past.
“Just a maturity and professionalism,” Udoka explained of Embiid. “He’s really grown up and having a child and I went to his wedding this summer so I’ve gotten to know him and he’s one of the guys I’m closest to in the league and I would say that’s the biggest thing. He probably stayed up playing video games eating cereal his whole career for years, and now he’s taking care of myself, taking care of his body.”
Of course, the work ethic has always been there with the big fella. He just needed to take the next steps in his development .
“That work ethic has always been there, and like I said, I got very close with him,” Udoka said. “I saw the work ethic behind the scenes. It was the COVID year and I was with him day after day, in the months leading up to the bubble and, I saw what he put in as far his work ethic. So some things that were talked about earlier before I got here. I think he’s really matured in those areas and, obviously, winning MVP and putting the franchise on the shoulder shows that.”
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