The Houston Rockets made a transparent wager. They didn’t simply add Kevin Durant, they constructed round him, believing his presence would clear up the issues that held them again a season in the past.
Now, two video games right into a playoff sequence they had been anticipated to regulate, that wager is already below strain.
The Rockets path 0-3 in opposition to a Lakers crew lacking each Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, a state of affairs that ought to have tilted the sequence firmly in Houston’s favor and, realistically, ought to have them up 2-0. As an alternative, it has uncovered one thing much more regarding.
Even Kevin Durant hasn’t been sufficient to assist the Rockets
Durant missed Recreation 1, and Houston struggled with out him, which was anticipated. The belief was that his return in Recreation 2 would rebalance the sequence and restore management to the Rockets. It didn’t.
Houston nonetheless got here up brief, and never as a result of Durant failed, however as a result of his presence didn’t change the underlying points that proceed to outline this crew. He can elevate the ceiling of a possession, however he can’t stabilize a system that repeatedly breaks down in key moments. That distinction is changing into painfully clear.
The Rockets had been alleged to have addressed their largest weaknesses. As an alternative, they’re watching them reappear in essentially the most essential stretch of the season.
Execution nonetheless slips when the tempo slows. Ball motion nonetheless disappears in late-game conditions. The offense nonetheless leans too closely on isolation, now centered round Durant, with out creating the sort of construction that holds up below strain.
And defensively, one thing much more troubling is occurring. Houston is permitting position gamers to turn into stars in a single day, one thing that hardly ever occurs by chance within the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers uncovered a deeper Rockets situation
This sequence will not be being determined by superstars alone. It’s being formed by gamers Houston ought to have the ability to include.
Marcus Sensible, getting back from damage and recognized primarily for his protection, instantly appeared like a scoring risk. Luke Kennard, sometimes a low-volume however environment friendly shooter, caught fireplace and stretched the protection to its limits.
He is turning clear seems into momentum-shifting runs that Houston by no means absolutely recovered from. LeBron James and JJ Redick have clearly set the stage, creating an atmosphere the place position gamers perceive their obligations and might thrive inside an outlined construction.
The Lakers should not simply surviving with out key gamers; they’re functioning, and that’s what makes the distinction. Houston, against this, is reacting slightly than controlling.
Kevin Durant can’t repair what the system doesn’t assist
Durant can carry stretches of video games. He can’t repair every part round him. That’s the actuality Houston is now confronting. Counting on a 38-year-old to unravel execution points, stabilize the offense, and compensate for defensive lapses will not be a sustainable system, regardless of how nice that participant nonetheless is.
As a result of when position gamers on the opposing aspect are outperforming expectations this dramatically, it factors to one thing deeper than particular person matchups. It factors to a system that isn’t holding up. And that isn’t one thing Durant alone can change.
Being down 0-3 is one factor. Being down 0-3 to an undermanned crew whereas the identical points from final season resurface is one thing else completely. This isn’t a few sluggish begin. It’s a few sample.
Houston made the transfer it believed would propel it ahead, however the early indicators recommend the inspiration beneath it was by no means absolutely repaired.
If that is still the case, then the addition of Durant doesn’t clear up the issue. It solely delays the second when it needs to be addressed. Proper now, that second has arrived far prior to anticipated. They may fall right into a 0-3 gap.
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