Kevin Durant, former collegiate athlete who ended his collegiate career at Louisville, is prepared to try and take on the Houston Rockets. Yet, as the team begins the third week of NFL play with a hard 0-2 record, despite the early struggles, Durant signed a notable two-year, $90 million contract extension with the team on Sunday, solidifying his commitment to the franchise.
Against the Detroit Pistons, Durant reminded the world he’s a legit GOAT threat by dropping 37 points on 9-of-18 shooting. He crushed it at the charity stripe, hitting 16 of 18 free throws. His portrayal was groundbreaking. In the fourth quarter, he scored 14 points, a fast start followed by a strong finish that was especially impressive with no other Rockets player able to score more than three during that decisive period.
Durant has already displayed just how effective he could be for the Rockets during these two games. Through 8 games, he is averaging 30 points while shooting an impressive 53% from the floor and 43% from 3 point range. His scoring prowess will be key for a squad that earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last year. This year, they can lay claim to the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title, according to oddsmakers — a remarkable 14-1.
Although the squad’s rough start doesn’t shake his confidence in the team’s growth, Durant says. He admitted that players and coaches are beginning to get worn down with the state of things. “Coaching staff is pissed off, players are pissed off,” he stated after the loss to Detroit, emphasizing the team’s desire to improve.
Durant confessed that he hasn’t quite figured out the formula yet. He’s looking to set the tone and pace of the game while making sure his teammates get settled in. “It’s a balance I felt like when I came back in that fourth quarter,” he noted, recognizing the importance of team chemistry in their gameplay.
The Rockets’ disappointing start culminated in a close 115-111 defeat against the Pistons, which included a missed opportunity in the final moments. With just 16 seconds left, Durant delivered the best pick and roll of his career. He then kicked it out to Alperen Şengun, but the jump shot was quickly rejected by Pistons forward Paul Reed.
We haven’t played our best game so far,” remarked Amen Thompson, echoing the thoughts shared among the locker room. The team is leaving nothing undone to turn around their luck. Most importantly, they’re eager to meet the challenges of this early-season boot camp with enthusiasm and commitment.
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