Houston surprised much of the NBA last season in winning 52 games and grabbing the West’s No. 2 seed. But in the end, a lack of experience and a go-to offensive option resulted in the Rockets being bounced by Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic seven-game, first-round series.
Enter Kevin Durant, a player who could help them address both problems at once. Although Durant has performed at an All-NBA level this season, injuries to Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams, along with offensive struggles by the rest of the roster, have kept Houston from making the leap many expected after Durant’s arrival.
A trip to the second round of the playoffs would make the first year of the Durant experience in Houston feel like a success, even if it comes against a compromised Lakers team. And once you’re there, the playoffs tend to reward whoever can withstand the chaos.
For Houston, getting Amen Thompson, Alperen Şengün and the rest of the young core more experience in the playoffs — and possibly their first series win — would be a huge win for the present and future of the franchise.