As Rockets’ roster improves, Ime Udoka focuses on attacking zone defenses, creating space
admin_news
Each offseason, Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka takes his staff on a coaching retreat. The idea is for everyone to come together for an extended brainstorming session, which features plenty of film watching from across the NBA and other leagues.
In the 2025-26 offseason, there’s a particular point of emphasis, per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. “This offseason, improving the Rockets’ setup against zone defenses and creating space has been a strong focus,” Iko writes.
In his piece, Iko illustrates a few different possibilities for 2025-26 that weren’t available in 2024-25. The gist of it is that the length and floor spacing of offseason additions Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith gives Udoka tools that he didn’t previously have. Both shot well above 40% from 3-point range last season, and Durant can also carry the load as a playmaker.
Furthermore, the signing of veteran center Clint Capela provides the Rockets with elements of vertical spacing and gravity that they lacked in 2024-25.
Houston’s playoff exit was the culmination of a season-long halfcourt struggle and an innocuous 3-point attack.
With Kevin Durant and Dorian Finney-Smith, their spacing issues might be solved once and for all.
Diving into the film for @TheAthletichttps://t.co/ZHBRmYldiN— Kelly Iko (@KellyIko) July 4, 2025
Even with their halfcourt limitations on offense last season, the Rockets finished 52-30 and at No. 2 in the Western Conference standings. That was in large part due to Houston’s top-five-rated defense.
Now, the hope is for the additions of Durant, Finney-Smith, and Capela (along with a greater role for second-year guard Reed Sheppard) to lift the offense to similar heights.
Nets upping the pressure in Q2 in a few different ways, so Suns use Durant as a screener, go to the Angle Pop 2-man play
Good part of Angle is that the pop gets Durant a touch in iso from the middle third of the floor — where it’s *much* tougher to send a double to for a defense pic.twitter.com/iNPpUuWP1K— Stephen PridGeon-Garner 🏁 (@StephenPG3) February 1, 2024
Versatility of Dorian Finney-Smith on display for the Lakers. Rockets want to put a wing on AD, a big on DFS, use them together. Double drag with DFS as the second screener. Pick and pop for 3. pic.twitter.com/5S8fcJKc3L— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) January 6, 2025
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Ime Udoka turns focus to attacking zone defenses, creating space
