Convenience Big Store: What's Ime Udoka like outside of games?

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Fred VanVleet on Ime Udoka's demeanor and potential to return

Rockets coach Ime Udoka is quite intense during games, the competitive energy fueling him and a steady stream of curse words.

"He's just cussing the whole game. He cuss out us, he cuss the referees out, he cuss the other team out," Fred VanVleet said on the "Ball in the Family" podcast.

VanVleet said Udoka coaches like an AAU coach (he noted that he meant that as a compliment) because of his bluntness compared to other coaches.

"What the f— you doing? Y'all f— soft," VanVleet said, imitating Udoka. "You don't hear that in the NBA. … He can hold you accountable. He gets the best out of the players."

But the rest of the time — practice, shootaround, travel — Udoka is lighthearted, like a big brother coaching the team, per VanVleet.

I asked Udoka about those comments Thursday, trying to learn how he balances those two sides of himself.

He said it's about being himself and that the competitiveness comes out of him and his team during games.

"You have to be who you are. Put your arm around them at times but at the same time, when it's on the court, we understand what we're about," he said. "And that's just how I've always been. It would be disingenuous to try to be a different way."

On the podcast, VanVleet also talked about the potential for his return this season from an ACL tear

"The timeline is not in my favor. Nobody really came out from ACL in six months," he said. "It's probably not the smartest thing to do but I don't want to rule it out … if I feel good at the end of the year and I feel good and they telling me I can hoop, I'm going to play."

Varun Shankar, Rockets Beat Reporter

varun.shankar@houstonchronicle.com

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra gestures during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Monday, March 7, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Mutual love for Durant, Heat coach

Kevin Durant, who recently expressed desire to play for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics, praised Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who has been an assistant coach for the American squad and will lead it in 2028.

"You don't get to see a lot of these head coaches in the assistant coach role where they on the floor developing guys every day, rebounding, just doing the dirty work," Durant said. "and Spo was great at that."

The praise goes both ways, with Spoelstra saying the star's game is "timeless" and that Durant expressing a desire to return to the Olympics is "incredible."

"That's the culture of USA basketball," Spoelstra said. "You just want the best American players to raise their hand say 'I want to do this.'

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) watches his 3-point shot go in with Washington Wizards forward Justin Champagnie during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, March 2, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

A rare defense of aprons

Durant, also asked about the league's increased parity, said "thank god for second aprons and first aprons," referring to the NBA's new salary tiers that bear harsh penalties.

A reporter responded that Durant might be the first person to ever say that.

"It's fun for everybody watching the game, not knowing exactly who's going to be around at the end of the season," Durant said. "And as a team, I mean it gives you confidence to know that … even though you don't play your best ball around this time, nobody really is … you never know who can make a fun in the playoffs."

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I just think it's neat!

Heat center Kel'el Ware makes a nice adjustment to get to the basket. Tari Eason turns his head to see what's going on and in that moment gets back-cut by Jaime Jaquez. Please make sure to watch Udoka's reaction, very old-timey reaction — might as well be saying "aw shucks" or "blimey."