The Houston Rockets were without star forward and leading scorer Kevin Durant in Game 1 versus the L.A. Lakers due to a knee bruise he suffered in practice last week. According to Ime Udoka, it was a mobility issue for KD and not a pain one. Whether that’s just the coach covering for his player or not, who knows? But latest reports are suggesting that KD should be back for Game 2. According to USA Today, Durant has a “good chance” of returning in Game 2.
“KD, from what I’ve heard, there’s a good chance
he could return in Game 2. “There’s hope that Kevin Durant can return by Game 2, which is on Tuesday night.”
You haven’t been around here long if you don’t already know my feelings on Kevin Durant. Generational scorer, terrible leader and personality (cough, cough burners), and maybe even a little bit soft. I certainly don’t have him in my top 10 or even my top 15 of all-time like many do, though he can be considered one of the better gun-for-hire types the NBA has seen. No loyalty to team or teammates, but if you pay him enough and have enough pieces already in place, he may grace you with his presence. I honestly feel that the Kevin Durant trade complete ruined Houston’s athletic, running, in-your-face defense mentality in favor of a let’s all stand around and admire KD approach. KD basically does that to every location he goes to that didn’t already have a generational superstar heirarchy in place (Golden State, but he even wore out his welcome there), but that’s a story for another day.
Are the Rockets good enough to win without KD? It doesn’t appear so now that the team has lost its indentity. Are they good enough to win WITH KD? I’m not even sure of that right now, to be honest. A team without an identity is not going far in the NBA Playoffs, and that’s Houston’s biggest problem right now. Jalen Green, Dillion Brooks, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adam were tone setters with physicality and athleticism. This is KD’s team right now, for better or worse, and it’s mostly been worse.
That being said, let’s see how the Rockets look if/when KD is back. They’re already in a hole. Whether he plays or doesn’t play, going down 2-0 to the hobbled Lakers is a place no good team should be. And if a series loss happens, honestly someone should lose their job. I doubt they will, but Houston should be embarrased by their Game 1 performance. It’s gut check time whether Get-off-my-injured-list-erson (or whatever his new burner name is) plays or not.
