Recent Cam Whitmore quote shows Rockets made the perfect hire in Ime Udoka

The Houston Rockets traded Cam Whitmore this summer. His recent comments about defense show that the Rockets sent the Wizards a more mature young man than the one they drafted, and they can thank Ime Udoka for that.

"You can’t get on the floor without defense. When I first arrived in the NBA I really didn’t focus on that side of the floor but as time went on defense could make a big impact and you don’t even have to score the ball".

- Cam Whitmore

That doesn't sound like the Whitmore we know. Did he impact the game for the Rockets defensively in 2024-25?

Rockets didn't see much defense from Whitmore

Not exactly.

Last year, Whitmore had a Defensive Box Plus/Minus (DBPM) of -0.4. That was better than his -0.9 mark as a rookie, but that can largely be attributed to the team's defensive improvement. If anything, it's remarkable that Whitmore managed to post a negative DBPM on such a stout defensive team.

The eye test affirmed the stats. Whitmore was often lost on defensive rotations. He sometimes created havoc in passing lanes, but he lost track of his assignment too often.

None of which is a major concern for a sophomore. The Wizards may get Whitmore's best defensive season in 2025-26. From the Rockets' perspective, there'd be some positives to take from that.

It would show they made the right hire in Ime Udoka.

Rockets hired a leader in Ime Udoka

Granted, most fans would already agree that Udoka was the right hire. This young squad plays as hard on the defensive end as any team in the league. Udoka has fostered a hypercompetitive culture in Space City, and nearly everyone sees that

Still, this quote is illuminating. It establishes how ingrained defense has become in this team's NBA. If even Whitmore is pontificating about the less glamorous side of the ball, it tells you everything you need to know.

Now, imagine how that'll look with the remaining young Rockets. Amen Thompson, Tari Eason, and Jabari Smith Jr. are all defensive stalwarts. Alperen Sengun's growth last year was tremendous. The Rockets will reap the rewards of Udoka's leadership.

Perhaps the Wizards will, too. Whitmore won't be around for the first iteration of these Rockets with real title hopes, but if he can carry Udoka's lessons through his career, it will serve him well.

Now, he seems to know that's what can keep him on the floor.