HOUSTON – There was little reason to expect the Houston Rockets’ off-season addition of Kevin Durant to their line-up would yield a seamless transition, even given Durant’s reputation as one of the premier scorers in NBA history and the Rockets’ standing as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Relatedly, after committing 25 turnovers in a season-opening loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder last Tuesday, the Rockets shot only 38.6 per cent in their 115-111 setback to the Detroit Pistons in their home opener on Friday.
With the Brooklyn Nets scheduled to visit Houston on Monday (Tuesday morning, Singapore time), the Rockets understand that they remain a work in progress despite lofty pre-season expectations.
Houston have labored unleashing an efficient offensive attack. Their “skyline’ starting unit, the tallest since the NBA began tracking starting line-ups more than 50 years ago, has scuffled to generate the spacing needed to take full advantage of Durant’s myriad skills.
Durant scored a game-high 37 points against the Pistons, but the Rockets opened the second half with Josh Okogie on the court and 6-foot-7 wing Amen Thompson, their shortest starter, coming off the bench.
Okogie provided a spark, and the Rockets found additional rhythm with Alperen Sengun playing as the lone big on the court during the third quarter. Despite their ability to utilize unique personnel groupings, the Rockets have yet to maximize the potential of their roster construction.
“It’s always good having a versatile team, but knowing when to throw these different line-ups out there, that’s the toughest job as a coach,” Durant said. “We’ll be patient and keep growing and keep figuring things out.
“Our offence will get better.”
Putting Durant in a position to attack opposing defences with efficiency is the first order of business. The Rockets have yet to unlock the spacing needed for him to thrive in the halfcourt, while their early offensive pace has inhibited Thompson’s exceptional athleticism.
“I think we’re playing too upright,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said.
“That’s going to be the formula this year is (for opponents) try to get up under guys. So you want to work on that and come off with some pace, whether it’s pick- and-roll or off-ball actions. We haven’t been great at that. Not just transition, but we’d like to play faster with more force in the halfcourt, for sure.”
Meanwhile, the Nets are in need of a win following three straight defeats.
On a Sunday when the San Antonio Spurs paid tribute to long-time coach Gregg Popovich, Victor Wembanyama made sure the unbeaten NBA club celebrated a victory as well.
The 2.24m French center scored 31 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, blocked six shots, passed off four assists and made three steals to spark the Spurs over Brooklyn 118-107.
Wembanyama has a combined 100 points and 18 blocked shots over the first three games of the regular season, a feat no other NBA player has ever managed.
“Nothing like winning,” he said. “It feels great. It feels like where we should be. It definitely gives a boost for motivation.”
In another game, Austin Reaves exploded for a career-high 51 points, Deandre Ayton complemented 22 points with a game-high 15 rebounds and the Los Angeles Lakers, playing without injured stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, downed the host Sacramento Kings 127-120. REUTERS, AFP
NBAHouston RocketsKevin Durant