Houston Rockets second-year player Cam Whitmore is making strides defensively, becoming a key contributor to the team's success. Whitmore acknowledges his past struggles with effort and emphasizes his commitment to improvement. Head coach Ime Udoka praises Whitmore's growth in off-ball defense and team defense, highlighting his ability to communicate and react effectively. Whitmore's defensive development is expected to further elevate the Rockets' performance, particularly in generating transition baskets.
Houston Rockets second-year pro Cam Whitmore has been through ups and downs during his tenure with the team, but he is approaching a peak because of his efforts on the defensive end of the floor.
Whitmore spoke with The Athletic insider Kelly Iko about his defense and how he is growing in that regard.. “Sometimes I’m in la-la land a little bit, but that’s just on me. I owe it all to my effort and laziness, but effort is free. It’s just something I had to do, dial in on it a little bit more and try to get on the floor with that.”
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has always been a defense-first kind of guy, so getting Whitmore to buy in on that part of his game has been a big reason behind the team's success.“It’s hard to communicate when you’re a step behind yourself. So awareness, recognition, reaction — all those things that we’re doing off-ball . It was more about off-ball defense and team defense in general. He’s a big, physical body and is going to take on challenges one-on-one, but that’s not how we play.
Whitmore won't always be a defensive stalwart for the Rockets, but if he can improve on defense, he could take the team into another stratosphere.“Our steal numbers are so high because of Amen , Tari and Fred , the guys with good hands and instincts. He’s become more aggressive on the ball as well, learning when to make a play when a guy is going into a scoring move or his back is turned. Add him to the list and that’s something we need to generate transition baskets.
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