Kevin Durant’s tough shot making can be a strength and a weakness

The Rockets suffered their second straight loss against the Suns in a game where Kevin Durant struggled offensively. Although he ended up with 21 points, Durant shot just 5-of-14 from the field. His tendency to settle for tougher shots became a weakness throughout the game, even though his typical ability to make those looks is a great strength.

Durant needs to balance his offensive approach

On the other side of the court, Jalen Green had one of his most efficient games this season by constantly attacking the rim in the first half. Once Green started to settle for outside shots like Durant, his impact and scoring dropped off in the second half.

But Durant never even got to that stage. Of his 14 shots, only 3 came inside the paint and only 2 were at the rim. Most of his other shots were 3-point attempts (he went 1-of-7) or contest midrange looks. As Durant has gotten older, his lack of effort in finding easier shots has often held him back from having more team success.

He had seemed to make some strides earlier this season as the Rockets’ shooting and defense opened up the floor. Durant had some games with multiple dunks, which was generally a sign of a thriving Rockets squad. But that rim aggression hasn’t stayed constant, especially as Durant’s overall shot attempts have fluctuated.

The Rockets could get more out of Durant

If Durant made more of an effort to attack the rim, he could serve as more of an offensive hub for Houston rather than primarily being a play finisher. Unlike some other top contenders, the Rockets don’t have dynamic guards who can generate tons of paint touches and kick outs every game. So getting that from their best scorer would be a huge boost.

Star center Alperen Sengun also doesn’t have the same effect, even though he often gets the ball into the paint with his post-ups. But defenses don’t rotate towards him the same way they would a perimeter player getting by his man, so his playmaking has a ceiling.

Durant is the natural choice to drive the Rockets offense as a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor. But he’s not truly fulfilling that promise by avoiding drives all the way to the rim. Right now, opposing defenses don’t have to completely break down in response to him because he’d rather just take a midrange shot over a defender.

Oftentimes, he will make that shot and the defense will just shake their heads. But when his shot isn’t falling, Durant’s impact is limited because he’s not fighting for easier looks, both for himself and his teammates. The difference between a championship and an early playoff exit could be in that struggle.

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