Earlier this offseason, the Houston Rockets shook up the NBA world by acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and draft compensation. The Rockets' move was a clear attempt to address their offensive halfcourt shortcomings that doomed them in their playoff loss to the Golden State Warriors a year ago.
Recently, the Rockets had media day, and Durant stopped by the Up & Adams Show w/Kay Adams to speak on how there are some ties between the Rockets organization and his days as a member of the Texas Longhorns back in college.
“My college teammate is one of the video guys, one of the video coordinators here, too. Yeah. And my other one of my college teammates is a scout in the front office. So, it was just like we got so many connections. I'm glad to like kind of reignite those friendships and pick up where we left off,” said Durant.
Not only that, but the move to Houston also reunites Durant with some of his former teammates with the Oklahoma City Thunder: Jeff Green and Steven Adams.
“A lot has to do with them actually. Being familiar with them, understanding who they are off the floor too. And then some of the coaching staff and trainers I work with too,” said Durant.
How far can the Rockets go?
Last week, the Rockets got some tough news when it was announced that starting point guard Fred VanVleet had suffered a torn ACL injury, which could keep him out for the season.
With this being the case, Houston will likely be leaning more heavily than anticipated on second-year guard Reed Sheppard to handle some point guard responsibilities. They may also look to Durant to initiate sets more than they had initially wanted to, but the future Hall of Famer is no doubt up for the task.
Even with VanVleet sidelined, Houston figures to have one of the deepest rosters in the Western Conference, one that should give them a legitimate chance to compete with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets for conference supremacy.
