Kevin Durant is about to play for a Houston Rockets team that is really good, but not yet great.
They want to take that last step and become true championship contenders, but will the addition of Durant make that happen?
Speaking about Durant, Jeff Teague made a comment that will attract a lot of attention.
He respects Durant and thinks he’s one of the best players around, but he doesn’t feel he can “elevate” a team.
“You know how I feel about Kevin Durant, I think he’s one of the best players ever, but I don’t think he has the ability to take a questionable team and elevate them dudes to a certain level,” Teague said of Durant, via NBACentral.
Jeff Teague says Kevin Durant lacks the ability to elevate his teammates
“You know how I feel about Kevin Durant, I think he’s one of the best players ever, but I don’t think he has the ability to take a questionable team and elevate them dudes to a certain level.”
(Via… pic.twitter.com/UwDpMvBy7P
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 15, 2025
This complaint has been leveled at Durant before.
When he played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, and Phoenix Suns, some critics said that he didn’t have the sort of leadership qualities needed to push a team to its peak.
This complaint wasn’t made as often during his days with the Golden State Warriors, but he was part of a really deep and versatile team featuring Steph Curry.
With this new team, Durant will have another chance to silence the people who think that he’s a great individual star but a lacking team presence.
At his age and with his experience, now is the perfect time to lead.
The young Rockets team has a ton of talent and potential, but they need guidance and expertise that can come from someone like Durant.
If the team is able to become one of the best in the West, people will probably praise Durant and what he brings to Houston.
But if they struggle with him in the lineup, questions about him will pop up again.
NEXT: Kendrick Perkins Sends Message To Kevin Durant Ahead Of Season Opener