Give up 121 million! Refusing to return to the Warriors, the sad superstar in the NBA, but the Rockets can help you achieve great success

The Rockets completed a perfect lineup upgrade during the offseason to create a super team that is both offensive and defensive. Based on the fifth place in the league's defensive efficiency, the Rockets obtained superstar Durant, who was both offensive and defensive through trades, but the price paid was unexpectedly low. Not only that, the team also introduced two front defense experts, Okoji and Electric Fan. There is also the inside pillar Capela, which further consolidated the defense line. The Rockets' defensive lineup in the new season is suffocating. There are nine players on the team that have a wingspan of more than 2.13 meters (7 feet), which makes their defensive coverage area and intensity reach a terrifying level.

It is no exaggeration to say that if the Rockets' defensive efficiency in the new season cannot be among the top three in the league, head coach Uduka may be questioned for coaching ability. Because the Rockets tailored a defensive iron army for Uduka that he had always dreamed of. Durant's arrival not only enhanced the team's defensive hardness, but also brought the Rockets an offensive firepower that was finalized at critical moments. This improvement in finishing ability has given the Rockets stronger competitiveness in key games. The deck of cards in Uduka's hand may be his strongest lineup since leaving the Boston Celtics.

As a coach with defense as the core concept, Uduka finally has the perfect team to realize his tactical philosophy. For Durant, joining the Rockets is also an excellent opportunity for him to prove himself. Looking back, Uduka and Durant both have their own regrets and motivations. In 2022, Uduka led the Celtics to the finals, but unfortunately lost to the Golden State Warriors. Last season, the Rockets he coached were defeated by the Warriors in the playoffs and suffered a "Black Seven" defeat. Durant is carrying a greater psychological burden. Since leaving the Warriors, he has been trying to get rid of the label of "winning the championship in groups" and prove that he can win the championship without relying on the super team. Although Durant won both fame and fortune in the Warriors' two championships, he could never completely get rid of the outside world's doubts about his "letting down the championship". Durant explicitly rejected the opportunity to return to the Warriors on the deadline of this year's trading. It is reported that the Warriors' initial goal was not Jimmy Butler, but Durant, but due to the high transaction costs and Durant's clear attitude, the Warriors finally chose Butler. Durant admitted at the Game Plan Sports Business Summit that he personally called for the negotiations with the Warriors. Back in February, the Suns had planned to trade Durant, which disappointed and angry. Although Durant has no veto on the deal, he made a noise through his agent Ritchie Kleiman: if he is traded to the Warriors, he will not renew his contract. After weighing the trade-offs, the Warriors gave up their plan to exchange high costs for Durant for one year, and instead exchanged Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Schroder and the first round pick for Butler. Durant's decision is understandable. Joining the Warriors was regarded as "repulsing to the enemy" by the outside world, and became the most controversial choice in his career. If he had chosen to join forces with James Harden's Rockets or join the San Antonio Spurs at that time, he might not have been so much criticism. Especially after the Warriors won the championship again in 2022, Durant felt even more stimulation, which prompted him to leave the Nets and turn to the Suns.

Now, when we come to the Rockets, Durant sees hope for self-salvation. He said in the interview that the Rockets' emphasis on him was excited. As soon as the Suns put him on the trading shelves, the Rockets quickly took action, showing their high sincerity to him. For Durant, joining the Rockets is not only a turning point in his career, but also his last chance to pursue a "real championship". Although the Warriors' two championships won him FMVP, the outside world always believes that the Warriors' success is more due to the core system of Curry, Thompson and Green. Durant's role in the Warriors is more like icing on the cake than a timely help.

However, the Rockets' situation is completely different. Without Durant, the Rockets are already the second-largest team in the Western Conference record. They have young cornerstones like Shin Kyung and Amen Thompson, and the team's lower limit is extremely high. Durant's arrival has made the Rockets' lineup more complete, and his key ball ability and experience will provide the team with decisive firepower in the playoffs. Similar to his Warriors' time, Durant's role in the Rockets is still the endorsement of a critical moment, but he has the opportunity to become a true leader here. If the Rockets can win the championship in the new season, Durant will get rid of the label of "group champion" and prove his dominance as the core of the team. In contrast, the Warriors' system can win the championship even without Durant, which makes Durant's contribution less indispensable. The Rockets are different. Durant's joining has directly promoted the team from a strong Western Conference team to a favorite for the championship, and his presence will become the key to the team's goal for the championship. In addition, Durant has the opportunity to fight for a considerable contract extension in the Rockets. Jimmy Butler signed a two-year, $121 million contract extension with the Warriors, giving Durant a similar expectation. Although refusing the Warriors made him miss the opportunity to renew his contract early, the Rockets' attention and team's competitiveness made him willing to fight for honor. Durant actually had a huge psychological impact on Green's formula - "We were the champion before you come, and we were the champion after you leave" - ​​on him. To put it bluntly, the Warriors are not going back because of their dreams.