90 million in 2 years! Renewing Durant’s contract makes a lot of money, the Rockets gain two firsts, and Stone’s layout is successful

The Rockets started the new season with 4 wins and 2 losses in 6 games, ranking fifth in the Western Conference and already exceeding outside expectations. Van Jordan's season reimbursement once made public opinion look down on it, believing that it would be difficult to even enter the playoffs after losing the "engine". Especially Dream Chaser Green has been belittling the Rockets recently, saying that without Van Jordan, the probability of winning the championship is 0. And he and Durant have been fighting each other from afar. But Durant still believes that the Rockets are feasible, and as the game progresses, the Rockets not only do not collapse, but are playing better and smoother despite Van Jordan's reimbursement, and have quietly got rid of the haze of injuries. The core reason is that the offseason transaction that was considered a "big gamble" - using Jaylen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 10 pick in exchange for Durant, now seems to be a bloody gain.

After the deal settled, the Suns got Jaylen Green, Dillon and a No. 10 pick that originally belonged to them. On the surface, they strengthened their wings and scoring points. But the reality is cruel: Jaylen Green has not returned yet, turning from an "iron man" who played 82 games in 4 consecutive seasons with the Rockets to a "glass man"; Dillon has missed 3 games; the No. 10 pick is just returning a lost property. At least for now, the depth of the Suns' lineup has not improved, and their influence is almost zero. On the other hand, the Rockets lost their two top starters but seamlessly connected: Okogie perfectly replicated Dillon's defense and perimeter containment, while Durant was one against two, completely crushing Green in offense, defense, and stability. In terms of salary, the combined annual salary of Green and Dillon has surpassed Durant, but the latter contributed to the upper limit of the output of the two when they "exploded".

Rockets GM Stone also made precise shots, which can be called the most cost-effective operation in the offseason. Moreover, after Durant joined, the offense and defense have been visibly improved. The Rockets' offensive efficiency has ranked first in the league, and their three-point shooting rate of 42.5% also leads the league. At the same time last season, the Rockets, who had healthy Van Jordan, Green, and Dillon, shot only 35.3% from three-point range, ranking at the bottom of the league. It can be said that the offense was too poor and the power was often cut off. But in just six months, Durant directly cured the team's "constipation" with his personal offensive kaleidoscope: mid-range pull-ups, catching three-pointers, breakthroughs with the ball, and killing, every link was impeccable. What's even more frightening is that he has improved the overall space - more openings for teammates, more decisive shots, and smoother ball circulation. The data doesn't lie: the Rockets' score per 100 possessions increased by nearly 10 points compared with the same period last season, and the offensive end has jumped from "struggling" to "phenomenal".

Outsiders are worried that upgrading offense will sacrifice defense, but the opposite is true. The Rockets' defensive efficiency currently ranks 10th in the league. It was only 8th at the same time last season. In the second half of the season, it once rushed to 4th-5th, tied for first place with the Thunder. In the first 6 games of this season, except for two losses against the Thunder (125 points) and the Pistons (115 points), the other opponents were limited to around 102 points. The latest record: They scored 102 points against the Mavericks, and only 101 points against the Celtics. This is the Celtics, who are famous for their magic balls. You can imagine that the intensity of the Rockets' serious defense is visible to the naked eye. They just didn't adjust well and lost the first two games.

And Uduka is also smart. He changed Okogie's formation in a timely manner, and he also made good use of the lineup without Van Jordan, and he was excellent in scheduling.

• Amen Thompson guest-starred as point guard to fill Van Jordan's perimeter defensive vacancy;

• Okogie took Dillon's position, and the pressure on the wings increased instead of falling;

• Durant's defensive level far surpassed Green's - he ranked second in the league in limiting opponents' shooting percentage per 100 possessions last season. This season, opposing players made 25 of 67 field goals, with a field goal percentage of 37.3%. The Rockets ranked first and 15th in the league;

• Amen ranked first in the league in opponent's field goal percentage last season and is the Rockets' third-best defense this season.

It can be said that the Rockets have two "defensive gates", and the thickness of the rotation has not decreased but increased. In addition, Durant leads the team in defensive contribution this season, and the integration of offense and defense makes the system more three-dimensional.

In 6 games, Durant averaged 26.7 points per game. His scoring and efficiency ranked first among veterans over 35 years old, and his personal offensive efficiency ranked top 5 in the league. The Rockets' two-year, $90 million contract extension may seem like a risk, but it's actually a sure profit: bound to the age of 40 in the next three years, the Rockets are a stable scorer and have a bright future. Moreover, Durant publicly stated that "if his condition declines, he is willing to come on the bench," showing his professional attitude and loyalty. Perhaps Durant will not retire after the age of 40, but will continue to play with the Rockets. In fact, the biggest difference between Durant and Green? Durant is the "82-game super version of Green", with stable offense, crushing defense, and critical balls that can bring death. Durant is worth two people, saves salary, takes up less ball rights, and makes way for the young core.

After Durant joined this season, Shen Jing, Amen and Smith's scoring data have all increased. And while Stone renewed Durant's contract, he also reserved space for Talisin's matching contract next year. If other teams offer Ethan, the Rockets can definitely match it. And with Van Jordan returning next season, the depth of the Rockets' lineup will reach a new level. It is worth mentioning that the electric fan has not come back yet. When he comes back, the Rockets' defense will be even more abnormal. The Rockets' championship this season depends on luck, while cultivating Amen Thompson (organization, defense, leadership), developing Sheppard (shooter + secondary organization), and perfecting the chemical reaction between Durant and the young core.

As for the championship, it all depends on luck. After all, the lineup is not full, so it’s hard to say anything. But no matter what happens, the window for the Rockets to compete for the championship is open, and success or failure depends on running-in and luck. If the defense returns to the top four and the offense remains No. 1, the Rockets will be the most terrifying dark horse in the Western Conference, and they will not have no chance. At least the Rockets are currently satisfying. From doubts to surprises, the Rockets have used 6 games to prove that Van Jordan's absence is not the end, and Durant is the real "engine". The league's No. 1 offense, top-10 defense, young core growth, healthy salary space, and certainty for the next three years... Stone's layout is interlocking. The night sky in Houston has lit up with the light of championship.