Kevin Durant took being benched by Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka for the fourth quarter of the team’s 128-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in stride.
When asked about the benching after the game, Durant said that wasn’t surprised and that he fully trusted Udoka’s decision-making.
“I trust coach (Ime Udoka) with everything he does,’ Durant said. The star forward finished the game with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 1 assist in 29 minutes of action.
Udoka’s decision to bench Durant was part of an effort to shake things up after an uninspired third-quarter performance that saw the Rockets outscored by 11 points.
“It was just energy in general on both ends,” Udoka explained. “And so, we work our way up to a nine-point lead and just get undisciplined and gamble in the back court, foul shooters, and multiple things to kind of give our lead away. And still with that being said, you’re down five at halftime.
“And we show some specific things on the film and come out and do the exact opposite in the third quarter to let them get that lead. And so wanted to switch it up and give different guys a look and hopefully get a little energy.”
Udoka’s plan didn’t necessarily work as the Rockets were still outscored by the Clippers by four in the fourth quarter and ultimately lost the game, but he deserves credit for trying something bold. He also deserves credit for finding a way to take a shot at both his own team and his opponent in his postgame comments.
“But lately, it’s been some slippage, no doubt,” Udoka said. “It feels like the energy and focus defensively is not there… I wouldn’t say Clippers are a team that play extremely hard, and they outplayed us, just effort alone.”
After a 13-4 start to the season, the Rockets have dropped two straight games and six out of their last 10. Several of those losses came to teams below them in the Western Conference standings, so it’s easy to understand why Udoka is upset.
Luckily, this is the NBA, so the Rockets won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to bounce back. Houston will be back in action against the Lakers in L.A. On Christmas Day.
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