Udoka’s name reveals Kevin Durant’s biggest change since the Nets

Four years removed from their time together with Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant and Ime Udoka have reunited with the Houston Rockets. Udoka coached Durant in Brooklyn as an assistant under Steve Nash in the 2020-21 season. The duo is trying to lead the Rockets to their first championship since 1995.

Udoka discovered Durantova the most significant change since their time with the Nets.

“The biggest thing I would say is a different leadership role than he’s had in other places,” the coach said before Houston’s win over Brooklyn on Thursday. “A lot of younger guys, especially when Fred (VanVleet) was out. When I was here, it was him, James (Harden), Kyrie (Irving) and those guys, and he didn’t have to be as much of a leader or as a vocalist. When we got our young guys, a lot of times, four young guys started with him, and he was more of a vocal leader. Everyday professionalism affects the group.”

Asked Ime Udoku about the biggest change he’s seen from Kevin Durant compared to their time together with the Nets:

“He has a different role in terms of leadership. … When I was here, it was him, James, Kyrie and those guys, and he didn’t have to be as much of a leader or as … pic.twitter.com/iGadmZI3Ar

— Eric Slater (@erikslater_) January 1, 2026

The Nets were inches away from defeating the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of the 2021 playoffs. In addition to Durant, Irving and Harden, the team featured several veterans, including Jeff Green, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Joe Harris.

Kevin Durant is filling a veteran role for the championship-hopeful Rockets

After his failed tenure with the Phoenix Suns, Durant now finds himself as the oldest player in the rotation on the young Raketa squad. Steven Adams (32), Dorian Finney-Smith (32) and Clint Capela (31) are the only active Houston players other than Durant (37) who are over 30 years old. The team’s starting lineup includes three rising prospects: Alperen Sengun (23), Amen Thompson (23) and Jabari Smith Jaibar (22).

Durant continued to produce at an All-Star level during his age-37 season. He averaged 25.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 52/40/90 shooting with Houston.

After a 1-4 stretch that dropped them in the Western Conference standings, The Rockets have won five of their last six games. While fifth in the West at 22-11, they are third in offense, seventh in defense and second in net rating (8.5) for the season.