Rockets Coach Ime Udoka Wants Team to Strive to Be Better Instead of Settle

The Houston Rockets have started off the season much better than they did last year, and that is due to the mindset that head coach Ime Udoka wants the team to have.

The Houston Rockets have nearly matched their win total from just a season ago, as the team has improved a lot from last year. But that does not mean that the team is happy with just being better than last year, as they want to always strive to be better.

For example, after falling to the Miami Heat Monday night, the Rockets are now 3-11 on the road.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka reacts during the second quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center / Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

In just his first season as the head coach of the Rockets, Ime Udoka has already instilled his mindset into his players. He never wants to settle or become complacent, as he always feels the team should be working towards something. He talked more about this in a recent interview with Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson.

"I think they've done a good job all year," Udoka said "We're really just searching for consistency, and taking that mindset of where we could be instead of where we are. Your record is your record, and that kind of says who you are, so we want to be better in the new year.

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So far this season, the Rockets are just above .500 with an 18-17 record. But instead of being content with that, Udoka knows that the team can be more than that. And with players like Alperen Şengün and Fred VanVleet leading the way for the Rockets this season, he could very well be right.

Udoka and the Rockets will be back in action on Wednesday night against DeMar DeRozan and the Chicago Bulls. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in the United Center.