Kevin Durant has suddenly given Rockets an identity no one saw coming

The Houston Rockets have had a clear calling card in recent seasons; they want to beat the crap out of teams. Not literally, of course. The Rockets weren't a Gen Z version of the Bad Boys Pistons. But they were a hard-nosed, defensive-minded, gritty team that seemed to glean joy from disrupting passing lanes, taking charges, and making life miserable for opponents. I enjoyed watching them win games 93-89 because I am, in large part, sick in the head.

This season, after the addition of Kevin Durant, the Rockets (and their No. 7 defensive rating) still cling to those tenets on defense. Head coach Ime Udoka will never allow lax effort on that end. But these Rockets are also carving a new identity with Durant at the helm — offensive juggernaut.

A little over two weeks into the season, the Rockets have the No. 1 offensive rating in the league by two full points per 100 possessions. Ahead of the Thunder, Nuggets, Warriors, and everyone else.

That's the Kevin Durant effect.

Lack of reliable guard play is not hurting the Houston Rockets — yet

After Fred VanVleet's injury, pundits and fans alike questioned whether the Rockets would have enough playmaking to sustain a competent offense throughout the season. It's early, of course, but so far, the Rockets have been far more than competent, and the lack of a typical point guard guard has not hindered them at all.

Reed Sheppard, last year's No. 3 overall pick, has struggled to find consistency, but Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun have combined to average over 12 assists per game. It's surely not a typical setup to have a forward and center be the playmakers on a team, but it's working for the Rockets so far.

I presume that finding a "real" point guard will still be a priority for this front office. But in the meantime, the guys who needed to step up as facilitators have done just that.

Rockets still need to pass the ball more

If there's one thing that might eventually tank the Rockets offense, it's a lack of ball movement. Right now, the team is No. 25 in total passes per game. That's not how an offense stays well-oiled, even if shots are going in.

Because everyone is bound to have an off night or two, and when they do, the ball can't stick. That's what causes a snowball effect, and when that happens then the entire offense becomes out of sync.

But that might be nitpicking. Because at worst, the Rockets are going to be a very good defensive team with an offense that can get hotter than any other team in the league. That's at worst! At best is even scarier.