Ime Udoka raves about JD Davison’s impact in Houston Rockets training camp, ‘he brings…’

Udoka loves what he’s seeing from Davison in training camp

In a team filled with star-level talents like Durant, All-Star Alperen Sengun, and rising star Amen Thompson, the Rockets still have untapped potential on the roster. Reed Sheppard is a big one, considering he was the third overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Sheppard looks to be the long-term answer at point guard. He already has solid playmaking skills and a high ceiling as a shooter. Unfortunately, he has not gotten enough reps to become a perennial starter.

Another player who has impressed Udoka is JD Davison. Both Davison and Udoka were once part of the Boston Celtics, but Udoka did not get to coach him because of his issues that led to his time in Boston ending prematurely.

Now, Udoka has a chance to coach Davison again, this time with the Rockets. In only a few days together in training camp, Udoka is already impressed with the 23-year-old guard.

“He’s been great. Very aggressive, handles well, makes good decisions out of the pick and roll. He’s a big body who can pick up full court, so he brings aggression on both sides of the ball. He’s taken advantage of the opportunity,” Udoka said after a training camp session.

The Rockets have a deep enough team to get past VanVleet’s absence

The Rockets are getting used to life without VanVleet on the floor. Over the past two seasons, they have relied on the experienced veteran leading the charge. Now, they must find ways to succeed without him.

Thankfully, Durant’s arrival softened the blow because he is also an NBA champion. He will likely slot into the go-to guy role on the Rockets, but Sengun might also be his co-star. The Rockets have a talented roster, and VanVleet’s injury is an obstacle they will look to overcome.

It will be a challenging campaign without their floor general, but it will lead to more players stepping up. Thompson is the likely replacement, Sheppard is a good choice, and Davison could also make the most out of his opportunities.

Udoka will make the big decisions, and he is seeing many positive developments in training camp. If they can keep growing as a team, VanVleet’s loss won’t be as significant as people think.