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Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the best offensive players the NBA has ever seen. As a student of the game, Durant is also extremely dedicated to his offseason workouts, constantly searching for new ways to improve.
In this regard, recent footage of Kevin Durant working out with Orlando Magic superstar Paolo Banchero was quite promising, as it hinted at Durant sharing his wisdom with the next generation. Unfortunately, former NBA player and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t necessarily see things the same way.
While addressing the footage from Durant’s offseason workout with Banchero on “NBA Today,” Perkins called out the Rockets’ superstar for not showing the same dedication to helping his teammates improve.
“I’ve been seeing a video that’s been circulating on the internet of KD working out with Paolo Banchero, and I appreciate the mentorship. But that mentorship needs to be going toward the guys he’s actually going to be on the floor with this upcoming season,” Perkins stated. “I want to see videos of KD in the lab with Jabari Smith; I want to see videos of Sengun and Kevin Durant working out. That’s what I want to see.”
While Perkins does credit Kevin Durant for mentoring Paolo Banchero, his critique seems justified.
As a member of a relatively young squad, Durant holds considerable sway as the elder statesman and the veteran leader. Given that the Rockets traded for him with the intention of becoming title contenders, it is also Durant’s responsibility to ensure that the team is up to the mark when it is time to compete.
Last season, the Houston Rockets looked like one of the best teams in the league early on. However, as the campaign progressed, the Rockets gradually lost some steam as injuries took hold.
The real low point of the Rockets’ season was when the controversy surrounding Kevin Durant’s burner account came to light. With several posts calling out current teammates such as Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., the scandal effectively derailed Houston’s season and jeopardized the internal chemistry.
Even though reports about Durant’s connection with the burner account were shut down, the damage had been dealt. With a disconnected roster, Houston ended the regular season with a 52-30 record (5th in the West). Before long, they were dispatched by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, entering the offseason with several concerns.
Since Durant suffered from injuries during the postseason, watching him move freely during his offseason workouts is a promising sign. Still, as Perkins mentioned, the fact that he isn’t working out with his teammates could be a point of concern.
Alternatively, it could be argued that Perkins is reading into matters too much. For all intents and purposes, it could be that the 37-year-old just hasn’t been observed training with his younger co-stars.
It is the offseason, and it is uncommon for players to be in constant touch with their teammates. However, given that last season’s problems could carry over, it may be more positive if Kevin Durant takes a proactive approach to building chemistry with the core.
