"I Feel Much More Remorse, Even Now" - Ime Udoka Finally Spoke Publicly About His Scandal For The First Time At His Rockets Press Conference

Ever since all of the Ime Udoka drama became public, we've never really heard him talk. There was the release of prepared statements and all that, but he's never had to sit down and answer questions about anything. It's partly why there is still so much unknown around the whole situation, even if I'm sure there's a ton we'll never know due to legal stuff.

That changed today with his introduction as the new head coach of the Houston Rockets. 

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This part went pretty much how I expected it to go. You're crazy if you think Ime was going to open up and really tell us anything in regard to this situation. We're going to have to wait for someone to go on record and write about it for The Athletic or some shit at this point, and that's if we're even allowed to know anything based on any NDAs etc.

In terms of things involving the Rockets, there were also some interesting nuggets in there 

I mean, that's a Grade A shot at the Toronto Raptors, who were rumored as an Ime destination but obviously went in another direction. Is he wrong? Not really. That Raptors roster needs some work. It sounds a little crazy to suggest that maybe the Rockets are actually a better fit/job, but that's the beauty of potential. I do think Ime is going to do wonders for that roster and how they play because you have to remember, the guy could coach. He just couldn't keep his dick in his pants. But the basketball stuff? It's legit.

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I think it's really going to help the development of their young talent to have a coach that will literally fight you if you play like assholes. It's fair to say that the Rockets found themselves playing like assholes a whole lot during the year, and that's the type of structure/culture that is a positive with Ime. He's not about the bullshit. 

People may not realize, the Rockets do have $64M in projected cap space this summer. They don't have any crazy cap holds or anything, and given how young they are their entire roster is essentially on rookie deals. KPJ has the highest contract and it's just $15M!

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Now maybe you think James Harden is about to snag a huge chunk of that $64M, but that feels more like smoke and rumors than anything else. If Ime is looking at vets/bigs/shooters, there are some names that could make sense given who is slated to hit the market this summer. 

How about Josh Richardson? There's a history there with Ime and he's UFA this summer. Seth Curry? Lonnie Walker? In terms of a big, would it shock anyone if Naz Reid decided he didn't want to be a backup big anymore? Kevin Love? Thomas Bryant? Sure these names don't blow your dick off, but that's not the point. The point is just infusing this roster with proven talent, and they do have the space to do it. You add that with some internal development, and that's how you get back on the right path.

The Rockets clearly believe that Ime is the guy considering they gave him 4/28M, and what I find interesting about his choice is we're going to get a great look at if his coaching is legit, or if what we saw last year was a product of Boston's talent. It's hard to find a larger difference in talent between those two teams, and while I don't think the Rockets are suddenly going to make the NBA Finals, there's something to be said about bringing in the right guy to get the most out of your young players. Is it crazy to suggest the Rockets could flirt with the Play In? I don't think so depending on what we see them do this summer.