Kevin Durant's trainer delivers best possible news to Rockets fans

The Houston Rockets have been thrilled with Kevin Durant so far. If recent comments by his trainer are any indication, the feeling is mutual.

"I love seeing KD have fun again."

- Dash Lovell, Durant's trainer

This quote comes by way of our good friends at RG.org. They interviewed Lovell recently, and he indicated that Durant is enjoying his time in Space City.

It should be music to Rockets fans' ears.

Rockets' Durant is playing with love

Durant's love for the game shows.

Granted, his numbers are fairly in line with his time in Phoenix last year. Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game with a 62.0% True Shooting % (TS%). That's down from 26.6 points with a 64.2 TS%. That said, his volume is down too. Durant is averaging almost one fewer field goal attempt (17.4) per game than he did last season (18.1).

It feels like he trusts his teammates more. That's not a knock on Devin Booker. Instead, it's a knock on the depth the Suns put around the star duo. It's also a knock on the functional overlap between Durant and Booker as two perimeter shot creators. Durant has never played with a playmaking big man like Sengun:

Is that why he's having fun?

Durant is gelling with his Rockets teammates

Lovell seems to think it's part of the equation.

"They’re running up on each other. They’re happy for each other. They’re competing. But they’re comfortable with being open to each other."

- Dash Lovell

It's hard to argue. Durant can be seen smiling throughout the run of a typical Rockets game. Granted, at 15-6, there's been plenty to smile about.

His chemistry with Sengun is undeniable. The Rockets' defensive personnel also makes his life easier. He was one of the Suns' most important defensive players. In Houston, he can take weaker assignments on that end to conserve his body and energy. The fit here feels like it makes more sense.

That's not to say there isn't room for improvement. The Rockets need to decide whether they need an extra ball-handler, ought to reduce Amen Thompson's on-ball usage, or whether Clint Capela is a rotation piece. They've struggled to weather injuries. There are lots of questions around this team:

That's part of what makes the 15-6 record so impressive.

Ultimately, the camaraderie we see between Durant and his new teammates is telling. Togetherness is a trait that has defined plenty of championship teams. Durant is having fun because the Rockets are winning, and he's a winner.

Why wouldn't the team be thrilled to have him?