Kevin Durant didn’t just talk up the Rockets at media day - he also pointed out a glaring flaw that doesn’t match their reputation. Houston has long made life miserable for opponents on the glass, but Durant zeroed in on what happens after the board is secured.
"Offensive rebounding is what we do well but we didn't convert well after we got an offensive rebound."
That line lands because the numbers back it up. The Rockets finished last season with the 5th most second-chance points in the NBA, yet they were also second-worst in efficiency on second-chance attempts. In other words, Houston created plenty of extra possessions, but too many of those chances went nowhere.
It’s the kind of issue that should stand out even more for a roster built around strong finishers and interior presence. Steven Adams’ work on the glass is part of the equation, and Houston’s ability to pile up offensive rebounds has been a real asset. But the Rockets are leaving value on the table if they can’t turn those extra swings into actual points.
There’s also another problem buried in the numbers: Houston didn’t just struggle to score after offensive rebounds, it also struggled to draw fouls. The Rockets had the 6th-lowest frequency of getting fouled after an offensive rebound, which makes those possessions even less productive. If the shot doesn’t go in and the whistle doesn’t come, the possession is basically wasted.
That makes this look like one of the cleaner fixes on the board. The Rockets don’t need a complete overhaul to make progress here - just better finishing, better decision-making, and maybe a little more patience when the first look isn’t there. With Adams on the court, Houston has rebounded over 40% of its own misses in the last two seasons, so the chances are already there.
If they clean this up, the payoff could be real. More efficient putbacks would lift their offense during the regular season, and in the playoffs the impact could be even bigger.
When possessions get tighter and points get harder to find, every second chance matters. The Rockets already win enough of them.
Now they have to cash in.
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Rockets Media Day Exposed Tension Behind Houstons Next Step
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Kevin Durant added another layer to that discussion by making clear he does not want his minutes reduced and wants to stay on the floor when the game calls for it. Coach Ime Udoka also left little doubt about how he views the organizations current position, saying the Rockets did not meet expectations last season and felt the group had plateaued. For a team trying to push past last years ceiling, that combination of urgency, restraint and dissatisfaction suggests the real work is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]