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Kevin Durant’s TEAM-FIRST Approach To FITTING IN With Rockets | Tari Eason’s $100 Million GAMBLE



Kevin Durant’s TEAM-FIRST Approach To FITTING IN With Rockets | Tari Eason’s $100 Million GAMBLE

Kevin Durant’s TEAM-FIRST Approach To FITTING IN With Rockets | Tari Eason’s $100 Million GAMBLE

Kevin Durant’s Houston Rockets debut stuns fans despite narrow loss to Oklahoma City Thunder. Is this the start of a new era for Houston basketball?

Host Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) is joined by weekly cohost SportsRadio 610’s Brandon Scott (@brandonkscott) break down KD’s 23-point performance and its impact on the Rockets’ offensive strategy. The duo analyzes the team’s isolation-heavy approach, Alperen Sengun’s standout game, and the surprising lack of Durant-Sengun pick-and-roll plays.

Key topics include the Rockets’ offensive efficiency, potential lineup adjustments, and Tari Eason’s contract situation. Scott offers insider perspectives on Eason’s value to the team and the implications of his restricted free agency.

Tune in for expert analysis on how Durant’s arrival is reshaping the Rockets’ path to success in the competitive Western Conference.

#Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant

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#HoustonRockets #Rockets #NBA #KevinDurant #AlperenSengun #AmenThompson #JabariSmithJr #TariEason #ReedSheppard #FredVanVleet #DorianFinneySmith #StevenAdams #AaronHoliday #JaeSeanTate #JeffGreen #ClintCapela #JoshOkogie

46 Comments

  1. I totally agree that the team didn't do a good enough job getting the ball to KD and KD didn't do a good enough job of trying to get the ball.

  2. I love watching Sengun play, definitely need his jersey. He on his way to getting a statue outside the arena

  3. I’ve listened to Jackson otw to work basically everyday in the morning for the last 5 years on apple podcasts I can’t believe this is what he looks like

  4. I know we need something to talk about but complaining about anything done or not done game 1 is ridiculous let’s get to game 20 before we wonder why they aren’t doing things a certain way

  5. If you expecting KD to take 25-30shots a game that’s not happening.. also dort did a great job and Reed was horrible just give it some time. If KD demanded the ball already in the first game it would start a bad narrative. Playoff time it’s going through him in the clutch

  6. The Elephant in the room is Reed Shepard and y'all not talking about it. He's not a NBA ready player. Former NBA player s are speaking about it and it's Obvious

  7. Honestly KD just looked rusty no big deal. Lots of mental mistakes mostly. First game of the season against the champs we’ll be fine.

  8. I think we need to be clear about our expectations for KD. We need him to score easy buckets — and he does that perfectly. We can’t expect him to be a clutch scorer after two overtimes. We have Şengün for that; he’s more than ready.

    In the OKC game, if JG had been on the court instead of KD, there probably wouldn’t have been a second overtime — most likely a +20 point lead for OKC. KD kept Houston in the game; he did his job.

    The biggest need is a true point guard, which we currently don’t have. Reed has basically become the new JG — he’s been handling the ball poorly, making countless bad decisions, and failing to read the game. His mistakes have left his teammates exhausted, even risking injuries. This issue needs to be fixed.

  9. alpi and KD couldnt make 2 man game because OKC defended it very well. We dont have PG to operate, bounce the ball and move off the screen to initiate Alpi/KD 2 man game. OKC simply did not let our players to bounce the ball or pass the ball. İt was a good experience for the future to get tested by such good defence on the first game and I m sure they will watch many replays from this game to improve their weak points…

  10. I’m upset with Durant, you see Sengun having a night like that, you gotta make the extra effort so he can shine. Not supposed to lose that game. Durant still almost had a double. Tari Eason, you want the big check, we want the big moment

  11. KD is going to make it has business to go and make for this game .I promise you he will go on a heater for the next weeks

  12. I respect Durant not being a diva demanding it's his team and he needs the ball(think Kyrie on the celtics or PG on the pacers)

  13. kd looked lost at the end. especially after amen went down he should’ve been more aggressive. he started turning the ball over, defense fell off, and even almost cost the game with the timeout no call. we got him to score the ball and he’s out here making comments like he’s lebron, talking about passing the ball and not closing the game. hopefully he locks in tn

  14. Should have never gotten rid of JG and Brooks I still feel like FVV, Bari, Reed, Tate, and picks could've got KD

  15. THE ROCKETS HAVE TOLERATED REED AND TARI TOO MUCH, IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF THEM!

    Every basketball team wants a player like Dillon Brooks, no one wants a guy like Tari Eason who is constantly injured, has no passing ability, is nothing as a shooter, and has a low IQ! There's no way Tari will turn into someone similar to young Brooks with her entire career!

    Both Reed and Tari are untalented players on NBA level who are constantly targeted and hunted by even the worst players of the opposing teams, both in offense and defense!

    These two players are the main reason why the Rockets concede over 100 points from their opponents in every game, and this is no longer acceptable!

  16. #TariEason, can't finish, poor handles to create in the half court, poor decision making, plays rushed even in his 4th year. He works hard, and is a player who other see as a high upside. TRADE TARI EASON.

  17. Kevin Durant said the quiet part out loud. I have said KD is a great scorer, but his mentality is not that of a Jordan. It is not the mentality of an alpha. He's a nice supporting cast player. Let Alpi and Amen lead and KD can score and open up the offense.

  18. KD does and should not be our only option at the end of a game. Sengun and Amen are legit options, and we need them used to that responsibility in case KD gets injured.

  19. Rocket fans need to lower KD expectations….The heat needs to be put on Ime to figure out runnig better offense over the course of season

  20. Rockets best PG JD Davison..
    Use him 30 minutes..
    He 's a team player, he has all PG abilities, he played this role..
    I m looking all the available PG choices , JD Davison looks better from all..
    Titles can't play, titles can't win the games..
    Reed cant read the play, he doesn't wanna ball handling , he use only 60 degree of the court, not give anybody confidence in offence or defence.. His 4 asists in this game Senguns' 3 points, not asist at all..
    Udoka I don't wanna see trying over bad choices.. Reed must work hard not about shooting..
    Try JD Davison I m absolutely believe he is the right piece..

  21. Tari Eason is being extremely poorly advised in order to turn down a $100M contract. This is going to age like Dennis Schroeder turning down the Lakers contract extension. Eason looks impactful when playing against chaotic/disorganized teams, but when playing against well structured offenses and defenses, his performance normally is heavily compromised and looks pretty limited. I'm glad he did not take the $100M offer, he is not worth it. Package him and Sheppard (right now among the worst PG in the league) while they still have some value, and bring in a solid starting-level PG. If the Rockets intend to contend for a championship this season, then placing those expectatons on Reed Sheppard taking a massive leave is totally UNSERIOUS. Right now, Sheppard is a liability on both ends. Once again… Reed Sheppard will not go from "liability on both ends of the floor / hunted on defense" to "starting PG or 6-man on a championship contender" in one season. Get a real proven PG.

  22. Lazy KD take. Rockets as a team are a slow processing team. He was not integrated well, he was deferential as a new piece coming in. He needs to be featured which he was not at all in this game. Every time he tried to get the ball he was looked off of there was way too much hesitation getting the ball to him. This is the same tendency that stalled the team out last year against warriors and better teams. The idea KD was letdown is a wildly biased pov. Let’s see where we evolve with kd and the rockets as a whole in terms of familiarity. The word KD and weakness on this pod was cringe.

  23. I don't really like the zone. It seemed like the Thunder got a lot of wide open shots out of it. They didn't hit a high percentage of those but I think we have good enough defenders to guard with man coverage. Do you know why Ime uses the zone defense so often?

  24. I don't know why no one is talking about the coaching staff,ime is trash.. we have a deep team but that idiot only play 8 guys,, yeah run ur 8 guys into the ground till someone gets hurt,then scrabble to get the bench guys that don't play , some minutes.. smh

  25. Ime also is so determined to have guys play zone, only problem is,he have big slow guys doing it..smh . Please someone tell that idiot he need smaller , quicker guys to play zone

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