Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant each drew praise from NBA general managers in NBA.com’s annual GM survey, and the Houston Rockets are projected to finish third in a strong Western Conference.
While Houston’s player roster is impressive, so, too, is its leadership from coaches.
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With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Houston’s staff also drew favorable reviews. Here is a roundup of where coaches on the Rockets’ 2025-26 staff received votes:
Best manager/motivator of people (head coaches): No. 2 Ime Udoka (24%)
Best in-game adjustments (head coaches): Ime Udoka was one of seven to receive votes
Best defensive schemes (head coaches): No. 2 Ime Udoka (23%)
Best assistant coach in NBA: No. 3 Royal Ivey (11%)
For each poll topic, GMs are not allowed to vote for their own team or personnel. Thus, the above votes are not from Rafael Stone. Percentage figures are based on the pool of respondents to that particular question and not necessarily all 30 general managers.
Within the 2025-26 GM survey, there is also a fifth category where Houston might potentially reap some additional coaching rewards.
On the topic of which active player will eventually make the best head coach, veteran point guard Fred VanVleet — now president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) union — came in fourth at 13%.
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After tearing the ACL in his right knee in September, VanVleet is likely to miss most or all of the 2025-26 season. Yet, he is still under contract with the Rockets, and he’s likely to remain around the team at Toyota Center as he rehabilitates in hopes of a late-season return.
So, while watching from the sidelines, it’s certainly plausible that VanVleet could offer some coaching-related value this season. It’s a safe bet that Udoka would welcome his input.
More: GM survey: Rising Rockets star Amen Thompson has many fans around NBA
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: NBA GM survey: Rockets’ coaches Ime Udoka, Royal Ivey ranked highly