Ben DuBose

So let's just improve the overall connected nature of our team, the defense, the effort, the culture.

The Rockets said, hey, we think we're close enough.

We believe in Imei Udoka's ability to get us back to at least something comparable to where we were a year ago.

And outside of OKC, we think we're maybe the best.

And so let's gamble on upside this year.

And that's what they've done.

And that's how I'm choosing to look at the halfway point at this year's team.

Like the comparisons are really good because this team is 26 and 15.

They're on pace to win 52.

Last year's team went 52 and 30.

So I understand superficially where the comparisons come from.

And it's a good discussion.

Just the way I'm choosing to look at it as the Rockets had to give to get, we sort of got suckered early in the year to thinking that it wasn't a major sacrifice.

Ultimately, it was.

And there's going to be nights that it burns you, especially, you know, for Ime Udoka, there were three culture setters defensively his first couple of years with the team.

Fred Enfleet, Dylan Brooks, and then Steven Adams.

And now you've lost all three.

So there's definitely a reset on that side of the ball.

But I just think the bet is that in time...

He'll be able to figure it out.