Kevin Durant Explains Why He'd Rather Be Player Who 'Does S--t' Instead of 'Says S--t'

Kevin Durant says he's had to work on embracing a new style of leadership since joining the Houston Rockets ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Joining a team led by young stars like Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard has involved Durant leading more than just by example, he told Yahoo Sports' Kelly Iko.

"More than anything, I always wanted to be a guy that does s--t instead of says s--t," Durant told Iko. "You could talk loud as you want, but if you're not going out there and doing what you're talking about, your teammates are not going to really respect it.

"So I always erred on the side of shutting up and going to work, and hopefully that inspires. But if I need to say something, if I feel something and something is on my heart, then I'll come out and talk."

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has previously worked with Durant during his tenure as assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets in 2020-21, as well as assistant coach for Team USA during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

He told Iko he understood Durant's tenure in Rockets was a "different situation" than when he was competing with fellow veteran stars like James Harden and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn.

"Being with a younger team, he has to be more vocal and more demanding at times," Udoka told Iko.

"You got James Harden, Kyrie and a lot of vets around you — you don't have to speak up or do certain things as much — but being with this group, it's a different type of leadership. Not just showing it, it's more teaching, putting your arm around guys."

That new role for Durant has been evident down the early stretch of the season through his relationship with Sheppard, who said earlier this season the veteran player helped build his confidence ahead of his second NBA season.

"He's really good at building you up, saying 'Good pass', 'Good shot', all this stuff," Sheppard said in an Oct. 16 interview on NBA TV. "So, it's the little things that most people don't see. The high fives, and the smack to the back. That stuff goes a long way, especially coming from a guy like him."

Thanks in part to Durant averaging almost 26 points per game, and with Sheppard contributing 12.6 points per game off the bench, the Rockets have climbed to third place in a crowded Western Conference after a 9-3 start to the season.

Houston will look to keep that momentum going Wednesday night during a 7 p.m. ET road matchup with the 10-5 Cleveland Cavaliers.