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In First Houston Season, Ime Udoka Finishes Sixth In NBA Coach Of The Year Voting

In a loaded Western Conference, the 2023-24 Rockets (41-41) didn't qualify for postseason play. Nonetheless, new head coach Ime Udoka made quite an impression in his first Houston season.

Houston's 19-win improvement from a season ago (they were 22-60 in 2022-23) was the biggest year-on-year increase of any NBA team, and it was the second-largest annual growth in franchise history.

Given that improvement, Udoka drew four votes (one second-place vote, and three third-place votes) in the NBA's Coach of the Year balloting for the recently completed 2023-24 regular season. That finished tied for sixth place with Miami's Erik Spoelstra.

Oklahoma City's Mark Daigneault, whose Thunder went from 40-42 last season to a West-leading 57-25 mark this season, was the runaway winner with 89 out of 99 total first-place votes.

Udoka and the Rockets, of course, would love to have a similar jump in the 2024-25 season — and if that happens, that could potentially build Udoka's case for an outright Coach of the Year win. During 2021-22, in Udoka's only other NBA season as head coach, he finished in fourth place based on his work with the Boston Celtics.

For now, though — after three years in the West basement while averaging fewer than 20 wins per season — the Rockets should be pleased to have at least some recognition for their bounce-back year.

Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire

Podcast: Grading Jalen Green's Third Season With The Houston Rockets

In his third NBA season, Jalen Green got off to a slow start for the 2023-24 Houston Rockets. But he had an electric finish.

Over his last 40 games, Green averaged 22.3 points (44.4% FG, 34.2% on 3-pointers), 5.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. His true-shooting percentage was 56%, and the Rockets were plus-2.1 as a team with Green on the court. Houston went 21-19 in those games, which would be good for a 43-win pace over a full season.

In a newly released podcast, credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose review the highs and lows of Green's season, along with initial thoughts on a pivotal offseason ahead (including factors to consider related to a potential contract extension or trade).

Thursday's "Locked on Rockets" episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Castbox and virtually all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube (see embed below).

Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire

2024 NBA Draft: Houston Rockets Most Likely To Own No. 44 Overall Pick

The Houston Rockets are well positioned in the first-round of the 2024 NBA Draft, with a selection that is projected to be in the top 10. With that in mind, this class should provide an opportunity to land an underrated contributor in the second round given the depth of the draft and uncertainty that could result in players falling. 

The NBA recently broke a series of ties around the league, which not only settled several first-round slots in the draft order, but also helped further solidify the second-round order. 

The reason these tiebreakers impacted Houston is because the Rockets own the Golden State Warriors' second-round selection in June's event. 

With a record of 46-36, the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings ended the season in a three-way tie. This meant they would select in some order between picks No. 13 through No. 15 in the first round and No. 43 through No. 45 in the second. The Heat made the playoffs as the No. 8 seed, so we're by default slotted into that last spot of the three. From there, the Kings won the draw against the Warriors, which put Sacramento first and Golden State (No. 14 and No. 44) second in this group of three. 

Since the Rockets own that Warriors pick in the second round, it's extremely likely that Houston lands the No. 44 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The only way that pick spot could change is if the Warriors have tremendous lottery luck and climb into the top four at the NBA Draft Lottery next month. That would then impact second-round order between these three teams. 

In any case, the Rockets will have a pick in the middle of the second-round, which most likely will be No. 44 overall.

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