"I've never seen him do that before, I love it" - Lou Williams on Kevin Durant being more expressive and aggressive on the court in Year 18
When Kevin Durant was acquired by the Houston Rockets in the offseason of 2025, many viewed the move as his final and most realistic opportunity to chase another NBA championship. With a roster already stacked with promising young talent, the Rockets already had the grit to make noise in the West, and so it was widely believed that the two-time Finals MVP could finally be their "X-factor." And so far in the 2025-26 season, KD hasn't disappointed.
He is leading the team in scoring with 25.2 points per game, making them the third-best offense in the league and, most importantly, showing a level of emotional engagement that he has rarely displayed throughout his career, something which Lou Williams is thoroughly enjoying watching.
Lou appreciates Durant being so animated in Year 18
Typically, as veterans log more years in the league, they adopt a calmer, more reserved demeanor, focusing on leadership through composure rather than emotion. Durant, however, seems to be moving in the entirely opposite direction. While fans have often seen KD visibly frustrated on the court, getting into verbal exchanges, he has rarely been the enforcer. This season, interestingly, he appears genuinely expressive on the hardwood, more than ever before.
For instance, in the Rockets' game against the Denver Nuggets , Durant not only kept provoking Bruce Brown but even danced on the court after hitting a huge shot in the second half.
Speaking on an episode of the "Run It Back" show, Williams applauded Durant for finally embracing this side of his personality. According to the former three-time 6MOTY, this emotional freedom will give Houston a unique edge, as Durant's unapologetic competitive fire will also motivate the youngsters on the team to play fearlessly and get into the face of their opponents without shrinking in big moments.
"I've never seen him dance before, that was the first time I've seen him dance, " "Sweet Lou" said with a huge smile on his face. "I have been competing against Kevin Durant since 2003, from high school on, and I've never seen him do that before. I love it."
Durant has finally found his joy back
During his stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns , Durant was surrounded by elite talent such as Kyrie Irving , James Harden and Devin Booker . However, injuries consistently derailed those teams' championship aspirations. Ultimately, as expectations went unmet, external pressure and criticism intensified, which often prevented "The Slim Reaper" from fully enjoying the game. Put simply, the weight of constant scrutiny seemed to overshadow his love for basketball during those years.
In contrast, in Houston, the environment feels markedly different. Young core players like Alperen Sengun , Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr. have remained healthy and reliable, collectively helping shoulder the responsibility of winning. This balance has allowed Durant to play freely, without the burden of carrying the franchise alone.
As a result, the two-time NBA champion seems more concerned with putting his energy into elevating his value within the franchise and joyfully celebrating moments that he previously couldn't consider, due to the pressure he always had on his shoulders.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
