The Houston Rockets’ experiment with the tallest lineup in the league isn’t looking great so far. With four players standing 6-foot-11 or taller and Amen Thompson running the point at 6-foot-7, the team currently looks poor defensively, ranking just 16th in defensive net rating, allowing 113.7 points per game, according to NBA.com.
Of course, the two-game sample size is small, and they did play two overtimes in their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Still, their plan from the start was to follow Ime Udoka’s defensive philosophy, to dominate the glass and switch everything with their length and versatility.
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Durant isn’t concerned
Kevin Durant, who scored 37 points last night and became the third player in the Rockets franchise history to record 35 or more points at age 37 or older, and the first since Eddie Johnson in 1998, spoke to the media after the 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
“The coaching staff is pissed off, the players are pissed off and it’s early too, so for us to feel that way, I like that kind of energy,” the two-time NBA champion said.
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KD is dominating on both ends of the floor
While KD is putting up his usual numbers —30.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from deep —it’s clear he isn’t the problem. In fact, he’s excelling defensively as well, currently holding opponents to just 14.3 percent shooting (3-for-21) when he’s the primary defender, the best mark in the NBA.
Still, despite his dominance on both ends, there’s a sense that he’s not as involved in the team’s playmaking as he could be. Udoka has been using him primarily in isolation or off-ball sets, where the focus is purely on scoring.
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While that approach makes sense given the 2014 MVP’s age and the desire to preserve his energy, Durant has shown in the past, especially during his Brooklyn Nets days, that he’s more than capable of facilitating offense, averaging 6.4 assists per game.
The Rockets have a point guard issues
With Fred VanVleet sidelined by a season-ending injury, Houston is currently without a true point guard, leaving the playmaking duties to Thompson. NBA veteran Tim Hardaway Sr. thinks that’s the Rockets’ biggest issue.
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“I just want to say one thing — Houston Rockets, y’all need a point guard. Y’all need a veteran point guard coming in, run the offense, get y’all down to offense quicker, bring the ball to the people that need the ball in an area they can be effective. Until y’all get a veteran point guard, it’s going to be tough for y’all the whole season,” Hardaway said via Instagram.
Every win in the West matters
That seems to be the core of Houston’s problem. Thompson is playing out of position, and his biggest defensive strengths aren’t being utilized because his focus is on organizing the offense. Meanwhile, Reed Sheppard has yet to justify his status as last year’s third overall pick.
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All in all, the season is just beginning, and both Durant and the team are still adjusting to each other. But in such a competitive Western Conference, every win matters. The fact that the coaching staff is already “pissed off” after just two games clearly suggests this team has the highest possible ambitions.
Still, considering how Durant dominated last season with the Phoenix Suns and still fell short of even reaching the playoffs, Udoka knows the Rockets will need to start winning soon because every win in the West will count.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 25, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.