Robbing the Thunder! The Rockets Officially Hire a Renowned Shooting Specialist as Assistant Coach, Aiming to Fix Their Three-Point Weakness

On July 23, Beijing time, per Shams, sources say the Houston Rockets are set to bring Chip Engelland into Udoka's coaching staff as an assistant. Engelland is known for his expertise in shooting drills and player development, with a stellar reputation in the field. He spent 17 years with the Spurs from 2005 to 2022, where he crossed paths with Udoka, and has been with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the last four seasons.

Born in 1961, Engelland is a Duke University product who was an excellent shooter during his NCAA days. After retiring, he became widely recognized as one of the top shooting coaches in the league, earning the nickname "Shooting Doctor." He insists on tailoring instruction to each player, avoiding forceful changes to their natural shooting form, and excels at making subtle adjustments to mechanics, optimizing release rhythm and shot selection to help various players improve their shooting shortcomings.

Engelland officially entered the NBA coaching world, first serving as a shooting consultant for the Pistons and then as an assistant coach with the Nuggets. From 2005 to 2022, he spent 17 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, where he was a core member of Gregg Popovich's coaching staff, winning two championships with the team. During his time with the Spurs, he completed many classic transformations: stabilizing Tony Parker's mid-range and long-range shooting, turning Kawhi Leonard, who was weak in shooting, into a two-way superstar with unstoppable mid-range shots, and helping role players like Danny Green maintain consistent outside shooting. It was during this period that Udoka got to know him and built a solid working relationship.

After leaving the Spurs, Engelland spent four seasons with the Thunder, focusing on the shooting and offensive choices of players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Josh Giddey, effectively enhancing the overall perimeter threat of the Thunder. In the 2026 offseason, he officially joined the Houston Rockets, entering Udoka's coaching staff as an assistant coach.

For a long time, many NBA stars have actively sought his guidance; Steve Kerr and Grant Hill have both benefited from his training programs. Engelland not only focuses on shooting form but also emphasizes offensive decision-making and court reading, possessing both player development skills and tactical understanding. With his arrival at the Rockets, he will be responsible for improving the team's perimeter shooting consistency, helping Udoka refine the offensive system. Last season, the Rockets averaged 11.5 three-pointers per game, ranking 25th in the league.