Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka explains how JJ Redick’s utilization of 1 LA Lakers star makes life troublesome for opponents.
In an period the place most groups depend on their three-point capturing, the Houston Rockets beneath head coach Ime Udoka depend on conventional large males.
For starters, it provides them a bonus on the defensive finish of the ground whereas outrebounding their opponents. However it additionally aids in limiting opposing groups from capturing too many three-pointers.
Whereas Udoka’s technique has achieved wonders for the Rockets this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have managed to effectively counter this technique.
The Rockets rested a majority of their major stars throughout their latest 140-109 loss by the hands of the Lakers.
Nonetheless, the 2 sides clashed at full energy just a few days in the past. Many anticipated the Lakers to battle towards the Rockets’ big-man lineups.
Purple and Gold head coach JJ Redick successfully rendered them ineffective along with his utilization of Jaxson Hayes. The Rockets anticipated Hayes to play heavy minutes, however he was solely on the courtroom for simply 14 minutes within the 104-98 victory.
In truth, Hayes performed nearly all of his minutes within the first half as he performed for simply 2 minutes and 43 seconds within the second half.
Counting on small-ball lineups has allowed coach Redick to stay one step forward of his opposing staff’s head coaches.
When a staff loses towards the Lakers, most count on it to be the job of their Huge 3 of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves.
However coach Udoka thinks Hayes’ absence from the courtroom is what actually makes the Lakers a harmful staff.
“Spacing is completely totally different with out Hayes in there. [Lakers] change much more on protection. It’s a battle of wills so far as us enjoying greater lineups vs their smaller ones,” Udoka stated.
Coach Udoka believes this permits the likes of Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith to have extra affect on the courtroom.
Will probably be attention-grabbing to see if Redick sticks to this technique come playoff time or switches to a standard rotation.
