Best news. Honestly, this play-off series was never going to change things for Ime or Stone. However, if Fertitty can see our young guys doing well without him, they might rethink keeping him.
Not relying on KD to bail us out has been a blessing in disguise. Young guys are finally stepping, which was the goal in the long run anyway
Durant actually had one of the best seasons of any Rocket in its history. ( Behind Dream & Harden) The more playoff games the youngsters can put under thier belts the better. Keep the young guys together and build connections.
Would be an interesting opportunity to just give him some spot duty off the bench. Like, "go score some points for 6 minutes" and then "rest your bone bruise again."
Rockets were undefeated without him, and then promptly lost the first 2 postseason games without him, necessitating a historic comeback attempt that is still "up in the air'. Let's be clear, we heard this "block the young guys" bullshit with Dillon and FVV last year, and HOOOO BOY was that wrong, and 6 days ago the Rockets were rolling out Uncle Jeff Green and JaeSean Tate in a critical must-win playoff game against a trash Lakers team, and now has Dorian FinneySmith - a few days ago, absolute persona non-grata - as a load-bearing structure of their playoff hopes. I'm guessing Kevin Durant might help with that? Lol.
I got to tell you there was absolutely nothing fun about the game 1 and 3 losses in the moment (seems not as bad after 2 wins)
I had probably drunk enough and lowered my expectations enough by the time we blew game 3 not to care as much, or at least not remember I cared afterward. Game 1 sucked though you're right
Look. Durant had an excellent year, but this team has better chemistry without him. He needs to not come back at all this season.
We are better without KD.....that is just the flat out truth, better offense, better defense, we just play better when everyone shares the ball. KD could be an additive, but he would have to take a back seat to Sengun and the others, and just be a finisher. If he can't do that, I will personally help him pack his bags out of town. We finally have an identity as a team. DD