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Kevin Durant Exposed As The Source Of Rockets’ Locker Room Turmoil Last Season
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- Kevin Durant Exposed As The Source Of Rockets’ Locker Room Turmoil Last Season
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Houston Rockets had big expectations last season. With a loaded roster that included two-time champion Kevin Durant and young center Alperen Sengun , they had ambitions of a long, respectable playoff run. But after the loss of Fred VanVleet early on, it put far too much pressure on Durant to fill the gaps and rise above his station, ultimately leading to their first-round collapse against the Lakers .
As much as Durant tried to deliver everything the Rockets needed, being the primary playmaker on offense does not typically play to his strengths. It didn't help that he also served as the team's emotional leader in the locker room, something he has historically not been great at. In fact, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon (who recently spoke on the Hoop Collective), Durant is seen partly to blame for the Rockets' inner turmoil and their inability to close games (1-7 in overtime last season).
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"There were issues of connectivity in the Rockets' locker room. [Fred] VanVleet directly and significantly impacts both of those issues," said Tim MacMahon . "Kevin Durant was part of both of those problems. I would say you could even say Kevin Durant was at the top of the list of both of those problems. At the same time, KD was kind of thrust into — I'm not going to say unfair — but a position that didn't play to his strengths, having to be the primary initiator down the stretch of games, having to be the default leader, the guy most responsible for the mood of the locker room. Those don't play to his strengths. Those do play to Fred VanVleet's strengths, and kind of take those burdens off of KD's shoulders this year."
Historically, there's no question that Durant is one of the all-time greats. At 38, he's a two-time champion, two-time Finals MVP, four-time scoring leader, and 16x All-Star. Over 18 years in the NBA, the 6'11" forward averages 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game on 52.0% shooting from three.
Still, despite his status as an NBA legend, Durant has a complicated history that raises some questions about his leadership in the locker room. Before joining the Rockets, he played a role in several failed superteam experiments, including with Kyrie Irving on the Nets and Devin Booker on the Suns .
On the Rockets, Durant just couldn't become the initiator they needed in the wake of Fred VanVleet's injury. What's worse is that Durant later shaded his own teammates in an infamous social media burner account scandal . The incident only further divided an already fractured locker room, sowing mistrust and resentment between players.
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This season, Durant will have to be better if the Rockets want to take a step up in the Western Conference. That means being patient with his teammates and setting the right example. The good news is, with Fred VanVleet set to return this season , Durant won't have to act as the main ball handler all the time. The point guard can run the offense, and he can slide back into his natural role as a score-first forward on the wing.
