Kevin Durant reveals Houston Rockets' immediate internal pressure: "Coaching staff is pissed off"

The Houston Rockets' experiment with the tallest lineup in the league, featuring four players at 6-foot-11 or taller and Amen Thompson as the point guard at 6-foot-7, is facing early defensive challenges. They currently rank 16th in defensive net rating, allowing 113.7 points per game, though the sample size is small with only two games played, including an overtime season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team's strategy, based on Ime Udoka's defensive philosophy, emphasizes using their length and versatility to dominate rebounding and switch on defense.

Kevin Durant is excelling individually, scoring 37 points in a recent 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons, making him the third player in Rockets franchise history to record 35 or more points at age 37 or older. He is averaging 30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and shooting 52.9% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, while also holding opponents to just 14.3% shooting as the primary defender, the best mark in the NBA. Despite his strong performance, the team and coaching staff are frustrated with the early-season losses, as noted by Durant in post-game comments.

However, Durant is not heavily involved in playmaking, as Udoka is using him primarily in isolation or off-ball sets focused on scoring. This approach, while aimed at preserving his energy given his age, overlooks his proven ability to facilitate offense, as seen during his time with the Brooklyn Nets where he averaged 6.4 assists per game. The Rockets are currently without a true point guard due to Fred VanVleet's season-ending injury, forcing Amen Thompson to handle playmaking duties.

NBA veteran Tim Hardaway Sr. has highlighted the Rockets' need for a veteran point guard to improve offensive efficiency, stating that without one, the team will struggle throughout the season. He emphasized the importance of having a player who can run the offense, distribute the ball effectively, and speed up the team's play.