Jayson Tatum Shines Light On Rockets' Coach Ime Udoka's Ability To Bond With Players

Jayson Tatum described Ime Udoka as his all-time favorite, illustrating the Houston Rockets' coach ability to bond with his players on a personal level.

HOUSTON — Ime Udoka spent one season at the helm of the Boston Celtics as a head coach. And in his first season, Udoka left a positive impact on the Celtics beyond the X's and O's of the basketball court. 

All-Star forward Jayson Tatum declared Udoka as his all-time favorite coach, given the relationship they established in their lone season together. The Houston Rockets hired Udoka Monday afternoon to become their 16th coach in franchise history.

"I can’t take away the relationship that me and [Udoka] had and the impact he had on me in that one season," Tatum said. "I love coach K [Mike Krzyzewski], I love Brad [Stevens], I love Joe [Mazzulla], I love all those guys. But it was just a different kind of relationship I had with Ime. Probably my most favorite coach I’ve had."

Udoka's ability to bond personally with his players will be one of the most important attributes when taking over Houston's young corps.

Former coach Stephen Silas did not experience a lot of wins during his three seasons with the Rockets. But he left behind a legacy that showcased the importance of building relationships with players.

Several players expressed their love and respect for Silas. And the players showcased their appreciation for Silas in the weeks leading up to his jettison on April 10.

The one-on-one times Silas held helped players overcome their struggles on and off the court. But his mentorship meant the most to Kevin Porter Jr.

"I am glad I got the chance to build our relationship and have a relationship with a man and a person like that, first and foremost," Porter said. "Playing under a coach like that who cares about his players more than anything. It was a blessing to have that relationship and contain that relationship."

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