The Houston Rockets are in a bit of a funk right now, and it’s not hard to see why. Offensively, they’ve lacked structure, rhythm, and-most importantly-a true floor general to steady the ship.
That absence has become more glaring with each passing game, and the team’s quiet trade deadline didn’t do much to address it. The result?
A stretch of basketball that’s felt disjointed, especially for a squad loaded with young talent trying to find its identity.
One of the more talked-about dynamics in recent days has centered around Kevin Durant-specifically, his on-court demeanor. NBA insider Zach Lowe noted that Durant’s body language has, at times, been less than encouraging.
He pointed to moments of visible frustration, particularly when teammates miss opportunities or fail to execute simple plays like entry passes. According to Lowe, that frustration can come off as “sulky,” and in a locker room full of developing players, that kind of energy can feel intimidating.
Durant, for his part, isn’t buying into the narrative. He fired back on social media, calling the commentary an outside attempt to “disrupt” the Rockets’ chemistry. “Here we go rockets fans, outsiders tryna disrupt…” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), clearly brushing off the idea that his leadership style is causing friction.
Now, let’s be real-body language matters in the NBA, especially when you’re a future Hall of Famer surrounded by younger guys still learning the ropes. But Durant’s competitive fire has always burned hot, and what might look like frustration to some could just be a demand for accountability. He wants this team to be better, and he’s not shy about showing it.
Still, the Rockets’ bigger issue lies in their point guard situation. Rookie Reed Sheppard has shown flashes, but his defensive limitations have made head coach Ime Udoka hesitant to give him a larger role. Sheppard can space the floor and make plays, but until he proves he can hold his own on the other end, he’s likely to stay in a reserve role.
Then there’s Amen Thompson, who was drafted with the idea that he could eventually take the reins as the lead guard. He’s got the size, the athleticism, and the vision-but his lack of a consistent jumper has made it tough to trust him as the full-time floor general. Without the ability to stretch the defense, running the offense through him becomes a challenge.
So what’s Udoka doing? He’s going with a point guard-by-committee approach, mixing and matching based on matchups and who has the hot hand. It’s a strategy that can work in spurts, but it also opens the door to inconsistency-especially when no one has fully claimed the role.
The Rockets have the talent. They’ve got a mix of veterans and young players with real upside.
But without a steady hand to guide the offense, and with emotions running high, they’re still searching for the right formula. Whether that answer comes from within or through a future move remains to be seen.
Here we go rockets fans, outsiders tryna disrupt…
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 10, 2026
But one thing’s clear: if Houston wants to turn this season around, they’ll need more cohesion-and a little less chaos-on both ends of the floor.