The Houston Rockets are in win-now mode.
The Rockets boldly announced this to the rest of the league with the trade that brought in 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant and the pressure is now on them to produce results this coming season. Last year, Houston shocked the rest of the West when they finished the regular season with a 52-30 record that earned them the second seed.
This time around though, there will no longer be any surprises. The Rockets will enter the season as one of the top contenders in the West and how they respond to this marked status will ultimately determine their success this season. Much of this hinges on their young stars Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson whose play may ultimately determine how far this team can go.
WHAT’S NEW?
It’s an understatement to say that swapping out Jalen Green for Kevin Durant is a major improvement.
The good vibes from Houston’s second seed finish were essentially drowned out by their first round playoff exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors. In this series, the Rockets struggled to score down the stretch of close games which ultimately led to their defeat. Adding Durant, arguably the greatest pure scorer in the history of the league, directly addresses this weakness.
He should fit in right away with this Houston team that is full of unselfish players who are very much comfortable playing off the ball. One crucial development to watch is the chemistry between Durant and Sengun. If they can figure out one another, their two-man game could be among the most deadly in the league as both players are extremely versatile on offense.
BIGGEST QUESTIONS
The role of Jabari Smith Jr. on this team is one of the biggest mysteries heading into the new season. He has not progressed as many expected when the Rockets selected him with the third overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. Now entering his fourth season, the 22-year-old forward’s role is in jeopardy with the arrival of Durant who can play both forward spots well.
He must have a standout training camp and hit the ground running when the season tips off to prove to head coach Ime Udoka that he still deserves to be a starter on this team.
Durant played the best years of his career as a small forward, but given the direction of the NBA’s style of play in recent seasons, he has spent more time at power forward during his last two stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns. This jeopardizes Smith’s path towards a significant role.
Smith must take a significant leap this coming season and give Udoka no choice but to play him. If this does happen, a line-up with three 6’11 players–Durant, Sengun, and Smith–sharing the court will give Houston a tall yet skillful frontline that will be impossible to match-up with for most teams in the league.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
All eyes will be on Amen Thompson heading into the season.
The 22-year-old made it to his first All-NBA Defense First Team last year in what should be the first of many selections. He took off after becoming a full time starter for the Rockets in January and many expect him to find even another level higher in the upcoming campaign.
While Thompson is already one of the most versatile and proficient defenders in the NBA, his offensive game still has several holes. If he can patch some of these up–his glaring weaknesses are free throw and three-point shooting where he is well below league average–a first NBA All-Star game appearance just might be in the cards for him this February.
REASON FOR OPTIMISM/CONCERN
To put it simply: The future, whether it be short or long term, is bright for these Rockets.
Durant’s arrival instantly makes them one of the favorites to win the West this season while the pair of Sengun and Thompson is arguably the best young duo in the league today.
Like all teams with Durant though, chemistry will be a crucial aspect to watch. Tensions seem to be inevitable wherever he goes, so the hope is that when things reach a boiling point in Houston it does not alienate Sengun and Thompson enough that they request a trade to another team.
