Kevin Durant is still putting up elite numbers in his age-37 season, now donning a Houston Rockets jersey. He’s averaging 25.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game-numbers that would be headline-worthy for most players, but for KD, they’re just another chapter in a Hall of Fame career. The Rockets are 32-19, sitting fourth in the Western Conference, and Durant’s fingerprints are all over that success.
But while the on-court production is undeniable, there’s some concern bubbling beneath the surface-concern that has little to do with stats and everything to do with leadership and chemistry.
On a recent episode of The Lowe Post, NBA analyst Zach Lowe raised a red flag about Durant’s body language. Specifically, Lowe pointed to moments in a recent game against the Thunder where Durant seemed visibly frustrated-arms thrown up, eye rolls, the kind of gestures that speak volumes even when nothing’s said.
According to Lowe, this isn’t new behavior. It’s something we’ve seen from Durant in the past, and it can have a ripple effect on a young locker room like Houston’s.
That’s the catch with Durant. He’s one of the most gifted scorers the game has ever seen, but his leadership style has always been a bit of a mixed bag.
He’s not the rah-rah type, and when frustration boils over, it can create tension-especially on a team loaded with young talent still trying to find its footing. As Lowe noted, players around the league have said that Durant’s presence can be intimidating, and when his mood dips, it can subtly shift the energy of a team.
Take last week’s loss to the Hornets, for example. Durant was seen getting visibly upset with Alperen Sengun over a defensive lapse.
And to be fair, Durant had a point-Sengun’s effort on that possession left a lot to be desired. But the bigger issue isn’t the isolated outburst; it’s the accumulation of moments like that, especially when the team is already dealing with adversity.
And the Rockets are dealing with adversity. Fred VanVleet, one of their key veteran leaders, tore his ACL before the season and might not be back at full strength even if he returns for the playoffs.
Steven Adams, another steadying presence, is out for the year with an ankle injury. That’s a lot of leadership and experience lost before the real grind of the season even began.
Durant has done his part to keep the team afloat. Houston is still in the thick of the playoff race, and with KD leading the charge, they’ve managed to stay competitive in a loaded Western Conference.
But they haven’t bridged the gap to the top tier. Teams like the Thunder and Nuggets are operating on another level right now, and the Rockets stood pat at the trade deadline-one of only three teams not to make a move.
That leaves Houston in a bit of a limbo. They’re good, but not quite great.
They’ve got talent, but they’re missing the cohesion and depth that championship teams are built on. And while Durant’s presence raises the floor, the ceiling remains murky-especially if internal dynamics start to fray.
There’s also the legacy question. Durant’s two championships with the Warriors are often viewed through the lens of context-joining a 73-win team with multiple All-Stars already in place.
Fair or not, that narrative has followed him. Winning a title in Houston, where the odds are steeper and the path is tougher, would be a game-changer for how his career is ultimately remembered.
But that road looks rocky right now. The Rockets are banged up, they didn’t add reinforcements at the deadline, and the Western Conference is as unforgiving as ever. If Durant wants to lead this team to something special, it’s going to take more than buckets-it’ll take buy-in, belief, and maybe a little more patience with the growing pains around him.
Next up for Houston: a home matchup against the Clippers on Tuesday night. Another chance for Durant to remind us why he’s still one of the best in the game-and maybe show a little of the leadership this young Rockets squad needs down the stretch.