In a surprising show of respect from one NBA superstar to another franchise’s rising talent, Kevin Durant has publicly praised the Houston Rockets for their fiery response to a winless start to the season. The Phoenix Suns forward, speaking after a recent practice, highlighted the young Rockets’ ‘pissed off’ attitude as a sign of their competitive edge, even as they sit at 0-2 following tough opening losses.
Rockets Stumble Out of the Gate with Back-to-Back Defeats
The Houston Rockets entered the 2023-24 NBA season with high expectations, bolstered by a promising young core and strategic offseason moves. However, their season start has been anything but smooth. In their opener, the Rockets fell 117-98 to the Golden State Warriors on the road, a game where they struggled with turnovers and defensive lapses against the veteran squad. Jalen Green, the team’s leading scorer last season, managed 22 points but shot inefficiently from beyond the arc, going 3-for-11.
The woes continued in their home opener against the Dallas Mavericks, where Houston lost 124-106. Luka Doncic’s 33-point triple-double overwhelmed the Rockets’ backcourt, exposing their inexperience. Alperen Sengun, the 21-year-old center, showed flashes with 18 points and 10 rebounds, but the team’s overall shooting percentage dipped below 42%. These early setbacks have left the Rockets searching for answers, with head coach Ime Udoka emphasizing the need for quicker adjustments in post-game pressers.
Statistically, Houston ranks near the bottom in pace and defensive rating after two games, allowing an average of 120.5 points per contest. Their offensive output, at 102 points per game, lags behind league averages, prompting questions about whether the youth movement can gel fast enough. Despite the losses, the Houston faithful remain optimistic, pointing to the team’s 41-41 finish last season as a foundation for growth.
Durant’s Candid Take on the Rockets’ Fiery Reaction
Kevin Durant, a two-time NBA champion and one of the league’s most accomplished scorers, didn’t hold back when asked about the Rockets‘ early struggles during a media availability following the Suns’ practice in Phoenix. ‘I like seeing them pissed off,’ Durant said with a smirk, referring to reports of heated locker room discussions after the losses. ‘That’s the fire you need in this league. They’re young, they’re hungry, and they’re not backing down. Houston’s got something brewing there.’
Durant’s comments come at an intriguing time, as the 35-year-old forward reflects on his own career trajectory. Having played for the Oklahoma City Thunder alongside a young roster before demanding a trade, Durant understands the dynamics of building around emerging talent. His praise for the Rockets underscores a broader narrative in the NBA: the value of resilience in the face of adversity. ‘Early losses can break you or make you,’ he added. ‘From what I’m hearing, these kids in Houston are choosing the latter.’
The remarks quickly went viral on social media, with fans and analysts dissecting Durant’s words. Some see it as subtle motivation for his own Suns team, which sits at 2-0 after convincing wins over the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. Durant, averaging 28.5 points through two games, has been the picture of efficiency, but his nod to the Rockets highlights a respect for competitive spirit across the league.
Inside the Rockets’ Locker Room: Anger Fuels Determination
Behind closed doors, the Houston Rockets‘ reaction to their 0-2 season start mirrors Durant’s description. Sources close to the team report intense film sessions led by Udoka, where players like Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks voiced frustrations over execution. VanVleet, the veteran point guard signed in free agency, tallied 15 assists across the two games but lamented the team’s 18 turnovers against Dallas. ‘We’re better than this,’ he told reporters. ‘But getting pissed off? That’s good. It means we care.’
Brooks, known for his defensive tenacity, echoed the sentiment after the Mavericks loss: ‘We let a rival come into our house and dominate. That doesn’t sit right. Time to lock in.’ The Rockets‘ youth—headlined by Green’s athleticism and Sengun’s versatility—brings raw potential, but growing pains are evident. Last season, Houston ranked 23rd in net rating, and while they’ve added shooting with the draft pick of Amen Thompson, cohesion remains a work in progress.
Udoka, in his first year with the team after a successful stint with the Boston Celtics, has instilled a culture of accountability. ‘We’re not where we want to be, but we’re not panicking,’ he said. ‘This is the NBA; every team hits bumps. Our response will define us.’ Early indicators are positive: practice intensity has ramped up, with scrimmages focusing on half-court defense, an area where Houston allowed 52% shooting in their openers.
- Key Player Stats After Two Games:
- Jalen Green: 20.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 38% FG
- Alperen Sengun: 16.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 48% FG
- Fred VanVleet: 14.5 PPG, 12.0 APG, 45% 3PT
- Dillon Brooks: 10.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, strong perimeter D
These numbers, while modest, show glimpses of potential. If the Rockets can harness their ‘pissed off’ energy, as Durant noted, they could turn the tide quickly in the loaded Western Conference.
NBA Veterans and Analysts Echo Durant’s Sentiment on Houston’s Potential
Durant’s praise isn’t isolated; it’s part of a growing chorus from NBA insiders who see promise in the Houston Rockets despite the rocky season start. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith, during a segment on First Take, agreed with KD: ‘That anger in Houston is real, and it’s necessary. They’ve got pieces—Green, Sengun, VanVleet—that could make them playoff contenders by mid-season.’ Smith pointed to the Rockets’ 20-13 record in the second half of last year as evidence of upward momentum.
Other veterans, like LeBron James, have subtly nodded to similar themes in their own comments about young teams. James, whose Lakers also started 0-2 before rallying, told media, ‘Fire like that keeps you in the fight.’ In Houston, the front office has invested heavily, trading for Brooks and signing VanVleet to a four-year, $130 million deal. General Manager Rafael Stone believes the blend of youth and experience will pay off, even if the opening games exposed vulnerabilities.
Analytically, models from The Athletic project the Rockets to win 35-40 games this season, a step up from last year’s 41 but short of playoffs. However, with Durant’s endorsement adding motivational fuel, the narrative shifts. ‘KD doesn’t just throw compliments around,’ said former Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni in an interview. ‘If he’s calling out their spirit, it’s because he sees winners.’
The NBA‘s Western Conference is brutal, with powerhouses like the Nuggets, Mavericks, and Warriors setting a high bar. Yet, Houston’s draft capital—holding multiple first-round picks—positions them for future trades if needed. For now, the focus is internal growth, with Udoka implementing a system emphasizing pace and transition, areas where the Rockets thrived in preseason.
- Historical Context: The last time Houston started 0-2, in 2021-22, they finished 20-62 but sparked a rebuild.
- Current Standings: Rockets are tied for last in the West, but only two games separate the top from the bottom.
- Expert Predictions: 60% of oddsmakers see Houston improving by 10 wins over last season.
This external validation from stars like Kevin Durant could boost morale as the Rockets prepare for a grueling schedule.
Upcoming Fixtures and the Path to Redemption for Houston
As the Houston Rockets look to rebound from their 0-2 season start, their next games offer critical opportunities to channel the ‘pissed off’ energy Durant admired. Up first is a home matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, a team that pushed the defending champions to six games in last year’s playoffs. Following that, the Rockets travel to face the Denver Nuggets, where testing themselves against MVP Nikola Jokic will be a litmus test for their defense.
Udoka’s rotations will be key, with potential increased minutes for rookies like Thompson to inject athleticism. If Green can heat up from three-point range—where he’s historically capable of 35% efficiency—the offense could click. VanVleet’s playmaking, combined with Sengun’s interior presence, might neutralize bigger fronts like Denver’s.
Looking further ahead, the Rockets‘ schedule includes a six-game homestand in November, ripe for stacking wins against sub-.500 teams. Success here could propel them into the playoff conversation, validating Durant’s early praise. In the broader NBA landscape, teams like the Thunder and Grizzlies have shown that young squads can contend quickly. Houston, with its blend of talent and now external motivation from peers like Kevin Durant, appears poised to follow suit.
The implications are clear: if the Rockets harness this frustration, their season start could become a mere footnote in a story of resurgence. Fans in Houston are buzzing, and with the league’s eyes watching, the coming weeks will reveal whether Durant’s words were prophetic.
