Houston Rockets take toughness too far in loss to Heat

The Houston Rockets may be the toughest team in the NBA.

Ime Udoka wouldn't have it any other way. If the Rockets lose, they lose. If they get outfought, they're not going to hear the end of it. This team is not allowed to back down, and they don't.

Toughness is a great quality in an NBA team. The Rockets have an intimidation factor that's served them well in 2024-25. It's part of why they're one of the most surprising teams in the league at 21-11.

Still, toughness has limits. The Rockets need to keep their rugged mentality within certain confines. In their last contest against the Heat, that toughness knew no limits.

The Rockets took it too far.

Rockets lose poise in dust-up

If you're not aware of what happened in this game, you must live in an isolated cabin in the woods. Why are you reading this?

Let's recap anyway. Amen Thompson and Tyler Herro exchange pleasantries. Thompson does his best Roman Reigns impression. After he hurls Herro to the ground, the two teams come together - and not to break bread.

Ime Udoka is ejected. So is assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Obviously, Thompson is sent to the locker room, along with Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet.

It's been suggested that multiple suspensions will stem from this altercation. That comes as no surprise. Now, the Rockets could face a grueling stretch of games without one of their best players in Thompson.

That's a problem.

Rockets need to maintain professionalism

Basketball is intensely competitive. Tempers flair. These things happen.

Moreover, the Rockets need to maintain their edge. This team is playing above their heads. The Rockets don't have as much offensive talent as you'd expect from a team with their record. They're winning with defense and toughness above all else.

This was a bridge too far. The Rockets need to avoid any actions that could result in suspension. They cannot afford to lose Amen Thompson, who will presumably be the first player to receive a suspension.

That's not to penalize Thompson too harshly. It did appear as if Herro was agitating him. Nobody knows what he said, and Thompson can't help being substantially stronger than Herro.

If anything, Udoka deserves the blame. It's his job to keep this young group on track. He appreciates Thompson's toughness - and rightfully so - but he can't allow Thompson to put himself in a position where he'll be forced to miss games.

Now, it'll be the Rockets who have a tough time.