Kevin Durant’s addition to the Houston Rockets has transformed them into automatic title contenders for next season.
Many expect the Rockets to become the primary threat to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
This season proved just how difficult OKC is to beat. The Denver Nuggets and Nikola Jokic fell in seven grueling games, while Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves couldn’t extend their series beyond five games.
David Dennis Jr. uses Stephen Curry’s 2022 run as the blueprint for Durant’s success
Some believe Kevin Durant and his new Rockets squad can accomplish what others couldn’t. NBA journalist David Dennis Jr. points to the Golden State Warriors’ 2022 championship journey as the perfect template for Houston’s potential success.
Dennis argues that if Stephen Curry could lead a less offensively talented team to glory, Durant should be capable of the same feat with better supporting pieces around him.
“Kevin Durant has to go out there and be the best scorer against the OKC team. He has to dominate in the playoffs this year and get them to a championship because I have seen Stephen Curry do that with the Warriors team that did not have a lot of offensive weapons,” Dennis explained.
Why the 2022 Warriors prove Durant can succeed with limited help
“Jordan Poole was number two. It was Wiggins there too, and he went into Boston in game four and ripped out that team’s heart and put up monster numbers and maybe the best road performance we’ve seen,” Dennis added.
The 2022 Warriors featured championship experience with core players like Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green , and Andre Iguodala.
However, Thompson was returning from major injuries, while Iguodala was well past his prime. Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins provided Curry’s primary offensive support.
This situation differed dramatically from the 2015-2018 dynasty when Curry had Durant alongside him, plus prime Thompson and other elite role players.
The Rockets’ supporting cast gives Durant better weapons than Curry had
Durant’s situation in Houston presents even better circumstances. He’ll have Alperen Sengun, who arguably possesses more talent than Poole during that 2022 run.
The Rockets also feature promising players like Amen Thompson and experienced veteran Fred VanVleet, who can occasionally explode offensively.
The Rockets undoubtedly have the talent to compete at the highest level next season. Time will reveal whether Durant can carry this team to championship glory like Curry did with his 2022 Warriors squad.
