Udoka likes to defend tough players, but basketball is all about who scores more. If the Rockets want to make the playoffs, defense is important, but offense is also important. Udoka wanted to boost the Rockets' outside firepower, and Stone brought in two white shooters Shepard and McVeigh in the offseason.
Shepard played reasonably in his preseason debut, scoring 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks, but his shooting was not satisfactory, scoring only 2 mid-range shots from 7 shots and 1 from 4 three-point attempts.
Shepard is a rookie after all, and he's going to need some time to get used to.
For McVeigh, who has been playing professionally for many years at the age of 28, the intensity of the NBA preseason doesn't affect his shooting touch. The No. 58 Rockets recruit made his debut with eight points and two rebounds in eight minutes, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range, and he was the only player on the bench with a positive plus/minus, the other being Hinton.
McVeigh's choice of the No. 58 jersey also sparked heated discussions among fans, with some people teasing him as a tribute to Paul.
When asked by a reporter why he chose No. 58, McVeigh gave the answer.
McVeigh has worn multiple numbers from the beginning of college to the present, with numbers 10, 9, 22, and 17, which add up to exactly 58. McVeigh is a player of mediocre talent, and he hasn't had an easy journey along the way, with unforgettable memories at every stage, so he ended up opting for the No. 58, which no one has worn.
McVeigh's shooting ability is certainly commendable, but he will need to improve his defense if he wants to squeeze into the rotation.
Although the Rockets lost to the Jazz, Jalen Green's performance was commendable, he scored 21 points in just 20 minutes of play, shooting 7-of-14 from the field, and a team-high plus/minus of +15.
The Rockets traded 4 for 1 to get Adams and not lose money. Stone wants to save Jalen Green, and he's going to prove that he didn't waste that precious No. 2 pick.
Udoka was hoping to bring in a reliable center, and Stone picked and chose at last season's trade deadline to trade Oladipoga three second-round picks for Adams.
Adams was out for the season and didn't know when he would return, but Stone decided to bring him back to Houston anyway. Adams has a lot of covering and rebounding ability and can fit Jalen Green. In contrast, Rockets starting centers Alperen Sengun and Jalen Green are somewhat incompatible.
Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr. once praised Adams: "Our guards will get open shots because of his coverage." He's probably the best cover player in NBA history.
Udoka is also well-intentioned, and he wants Jalen Green to break his bad habits and learn to play proper basketball. In training camp, Udoka also arranged a team with Jalen Green and Adams, allowing him to learn how to play pick-and-roll.
Jalen Green was out of shape in the first quarter against the Jazz, and he exploded in the second quarter, scoring 14 points in a single quarter. Sengun struggled to score in the second quarter, but the margin narrowed instead, and Udoka was replaced by Adams. The Rockets led by just seven points, and Green hit a three-pointer as soon as Adams came up, leading the team to a 13-point lead at halftime. Jalen Green threw back-to-back three-pointers under Adams' cover, and the effect was quite noticeable. In the third quarter, the Rockets switched back to the starters, and Green played 5 minutes with 3-of-0 and did not play again after that.
After watching this game, some fans said that Udoka should arrange for the combination of Jalen Green and Adams to play more.
Not only does Adams help his teammates score more easily on the field, but he also patiently coaches young players off the field. I have to say that Stone made a good deal.