Rockets have one undeniable key to their success this season

In trading for Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets made a definitive move to revolutionize their offense, adding one of the best pure scorers of all time to their roster while sacrificing minimal pieces of their growing core.

Yet, despite the skill-set and offensive potency Durant will bring to Houston, their path to success still lies in the hard-nosed defensive identity they displayed in full force last season, and, in order to continue that path, they must still lean on players like Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith Jr.

While the loss of Dillon Brooks in the Durant trade represents the absence of a major defensive piece, the core of their defense is still intact, and the Rockets must capitalize upon this fact if they wish to contend.

The Rockets' defensive identity will still be their deciding factor this season

Last season, as Houston earned the second seed in the Western Conference, it was their defense that propelled the organization ahead of the intended schedule of their rebuild. Across the course of the season, they cobbled together a top-five defense in the NBA, posting a 110.3 defensive rating and placing themselves in the same echelon as teams like the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics on that side of the ball.

Moreover, they dominated opposing teams on both the offensive and the defensive glass, posting a league-leading 36.3 offensive rebounding percentage and a top-ten 71.5 defensive rebounding percentage.

Yet, in acquiring Durant the team also gave up Brooks' notoriously hard-nosed presence at the small forward spot, swapping him out for a lethal scorer.

Nevertheless, the team still has several excellent defensive players in their midst. Amen Thompson, who will not turn 23 until later this season, put on a case for Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season in the league, ultimately earning All-NBA Defensive Team honors.

Alperen Sengun, meanwhile, ramped up his defense in the paint as well, posting a career-best 108 defensive rating in addition to his dominance on the offensive side of the court.

Even a player like Fred VanVleet, who has been an apt point-of-attack defender for a shorter guard throughout his career, contributed heavily to this front, and his role will become even more important as the season wears on.

Therefore, while Houston's offense will certainly look revitalized this year, allowing them the opportunity for a deep playoff run, it is the defensive identity that head coach Ime Udoka has worked so hard to develop that will continue to make them a terrifying team for opponents to face.