New Year, New Beginnings! The Rockets have made a significant change in 2025 that can be described as "closing the barn door after the horse has bolted," as Udoka has started to face reality.
VanVleet, with his career-high salary, has delivered his worst performance since his rookie season, which many Rocket fans find unbearable.
Udoka claims he doesn't care about social media comments, but he cannot ignore the dissatisfaction from players and management.
Despite poor shooting, VanVleet still holds onto the ball, and the label of leadership given by Udoka fails to convince the young players on the team. On the other hand, Stone cannot stand idly by as a mercenary affects the growth of the "Houston Prince."
In 2025, Udoka's protégé VanVleet has seen a noticeable decrease in shot attempts, with only 8, 7, and 11 shots respectively. With more ball possession, Jalen Green has scored 22, 27, and 33 points in the last three games.
Jalen Green has regained confidence, showcasing his skills against the Celtics and Lakers with drives, mid-range shots, and three-pointers, improving offensive efficiency and defense while significantly reducing turnovers. Jalen Green had only one turnover against the Celtics and zero against the Lakers.
Jalen Green once displayed the demeanor of a superstar last season and played well in the first five games this season. However, Udoka still insisted on the basic strategy of pick-and-roll, seeking stability.
Although Jalen Green does have technical shortcomings, he is the player with the highest potential on the Rockets. Udoka, in pursuit of stability, could only let Jalen Green make sacrifices, becoming the third or even fourth option in offense, causing him to struggle again.
VanVleet and Sengun lack talent and can no longer provide a safety net; it's time for the "Houston Prince" Jalen Green to reclaim his position.
The victory over the Lakers delighted Udoka, who praised Jalen Green after the game.
Udoka said: "Jalen Green's momentum is growing; he's starting to attack the basket and take advantage of favorable matchups. Sometimes opponents switch defenses and double-team him. So when he's playing well, you have to get used to that situation and understand that opponents will target him. I think he did a good job overall in controlling the ball."
Winning against the high-profile Lakers and posting impressive stats put Jalen Green in a great mood post-game. He hinted in an interview that he enjoys playing fast-paced basketball.
Notably, another key contributor to the win, Amen, also shared a similar view: "I believe we can outpace most teams by speeding up our tempo, tiring them out, and playing our own style. We have some athletically gifted individuals on our team, so if we excel in transition offense, we can accomplish a lot."
The Rockets should play faster, and some fans hope to trade VanVleet, Shepherd, and a first-round pick for Fox.
From the current situation, Fox's name can be crossed off the Rockets' list of potential acquisitions.
Why is this the case?
First, Fox is not compatible with Jalen Green. The former wants to be the leader and requires a lot of ball possession, but his defense and three-point shooting are average, and his leadership ability falls short compared to Harden.
Second, Fox hasn't shown the same determination to leave as Butler, and the Kings are unwilling to trade their core player. After a coaching change, the Kings have won four consecutive games, and Fox is in a good mood, no longer complaining.