Ime Udoka may now be the head coach of the Houston Rockets, but he hasn’t forgotten what it was like to go toe-to-toe with one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. During a recent Summer League interview, Udoka talked about his defensive matchups with Kevin Durant back when he was still lacing up as a player.
“I’ve never locked up Kevin Durant,” Udoka said with a laugh. “If he misses a shot, it probably has nothing to do with a 6’5″ guy trying to contest him”.
Udoka, who played seven seasons in the NBA between 2003 and 2010, was known for his gritty defense and physical play. His time with the San Antonio Spurs overlapped with Durant’s early years in the league, and their battles were anything but tame. Durant himself chimed in on social media, recalling one particularly intense game:
“It was a wrestling match. I looked over to the ref one time and he was like, ‘stop all that f***in’ cryin’. He was an OG so he sounded like my uncle when he said it. I had to lock in real quick”.
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Now, the dynamic has shifted. With Durant recently traded to the Rockets, Udoka finds himself coaching the very player he once tried to contain. Their shared history adds a layer of depth to the partnership, blending mutual respect with firsthand experience.
Udoka’s defensive philosophy, built on unpredictability and adaptability, is already earning praise from Durant.
“Ime Udoka does a good job of it. He’ll go one possession man, next possession zone, then back to man—all in the first quarter,” Durant said on the Mind the Game podcast.
As the Rockets prepare for a new season with championship aspirations, the Udoka-Durant connection could be the key to unlocking their full potential. From wrestling matches on the hardwood to strategic huddles on the sideline, their journey has come full circle.
