Many Houston Rockets fans are still coming to grips with the fact that Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and Cam Whitmore are no longer members of the team. While the excitement around the acquisition of Kevin Durant is palpable, many fans were looking forward to these players taking a big leap this season, in a Rockets uniform.
Cam Whitmore has the Rockets circled on his calendar
Cam breaks his silence in an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson after being traded to his hometown team.
Even after we wrapped our minds around the fact that Jalen was gone and the Rockets essentially swapped him for one of the greatest scorers of all-time, many of us saw the silver-lining being more playing time for Cam Whitmore. That is until we quickly found out that’s not how Ime Udoka and Raphael Stone saw things. The Rockets have built a solid roster that the city is going to get behind, but we will all be giving some side eye to the now former Rocket / current Washington Wizard, and he will be watching the Rockets too.
In an interview with Brandon Robinson that can be found on his website, ScoopB.com, Whitmore was asked what his thoughts were on Kevin Durant now playing for the Rockets. His response?
I mean Kevin Durant’s a fit, but at the end of the day, that calendar is marked when the day comes, and so it’s gonna be a good game.
Rockets fans no doubt feel the same way. Many of us look forward to seeing what the young man is capable of with a real shot at consistent minutes on the floor. I myself will be rooting for the kid, when he’s not playing the Rockets of course.
Whitmore was also asked what he took away from his time with Ime Udoka and his emphasis on defense.
I mean, you said it yourself on the defensive end. 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. You can rebound and hustle back on defense and get deflections you know? Just the little stuff that helps the team win.
Again, Rockets fans should not be surprised by this answer. Ime Udoka made it very clear the moment he arrived, you don’t defend, you don’t play. That went for everyone, not just Whitmore. We have seen Ime bench everyone but Fred VanVleet, and Clutch, due to their inconsistent effort at times on the defensive end. Whitmore would do well to take that phiosophy and mindset with him to Washington, if he wants to reach the full potential that made him a first round draft pick two years ago.
While many Rockets fans fear the team gave up on him too soon, (count me in that group) Raphael Stone made it clear that the Rockets are not a developmental team anymore. The need players who know how to win and win now. Time will tell, but in five years from now, we will know if letting Cam Whitmore walk was the right thing to do. If he returns as one of the newest “Rocket killers”, then fans will be lamenting the day the Rockets let him go. Either way I believe most of us wish the young man the very best.
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