VanVleet SOUNDS OFF on Former Teammate Dillon Brooks! KD & Ime Udoka SPEAK OUT!
The NBA is never short on drama, and this week, the spotlight shines on the Houston Rockets as Fred VanVleet broke his silence regarding his former teammate, Dillon Brooks. In a candid post-game interview, VanVleet didn’t hold back his feelings, and the ripple effects were felt across the league, prompting reactions from superstar Kevin Durant and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka.
The tension began brewing after a heated game between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns. VanVleet, who joined the Rockets this season, was asked about his chemistry with Brooks, with whom he shared a locker room during their time together on the Canadian national team. Rumors had been swirling about friction between the two, and VanVleet finally addressed them head-on.
“Dillon is Dillon, man. He brings energy, he brings chaos—sometimes good, sometimes not so good,” VanVleet said, his tone equal parts respectful and critical. “You gotta respect his hustle, but you also gotta keep him focused. There were times last year when it felt like he was playing his own game, not the team’s game. That’s tough for any locker room.”
VanVleet’s comments quickly went viral, sparking debates among analysts and fans. Some praised his honesty, while others felt he should have kept those opinions behind closed doors. But the story didn’t end there.
Kevin Durant, who has had his own share of on-court run-ins with Brooks, was asked about the situation following the Suns’ practice. KD, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, weighed in: “Dillon’s a competitor. He gets under people’s skin, but that’s just who he is. Some guys love that, some guys don’t. At the end of the day, you need all types in this league. If VanVleet’s calling him out, maybe that’s just tough love.”
Meanwhile, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka addressed the media, aiming to diffuse any potential locker room rift. “Look, both Fred and Dillon are passionate players. They want to win, and sometimes that means having uncomfortable conversations. I encourage my guys to be real with each other. As long as it’s about making the team better, I’m all for it.”
Dillon Brooks himself responded with characteristic bravado: “I ain’t worried about what anybody says. I know what I bring to the court. If Fred’s got something to say, he knows where to find me. I’m here to win, and that’s all that matters.”
The Rockets’ front office, for their part, released a brief statement saying they fully support both players and trust Coach Udoka to maintain a positive team culture.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Houston to see if VanVleet and Brooks can put their differences aside and help the Rockets make a playoff push. For now, the NBA world is abuzz, proving once again that the game’s biggest battles aren’t always fought on the court.
