For 2025-26 Rockets, Shaq views Kevin Durant as a ‘more consistent Jalen Green'
Count TNT analyst and former NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal as among those bullish on the Kevin Durant era of the Houston Rockets.
'Definitely got a closer,' O'Neal said of the Durant acquisition. He spoke in an exclusive interview with RG's DJ Siddiqi.
'Should get them higher, higher towards the top,' O'Neal continued. 'I know they let go of Jalen Green, and he carried them last year, but KD is a more consistent Jalen Green. Jalen Green was too up and down for them to get to the next level.'
'Listen, if KD is healthy and shooting the ball well, they can make some noise.'
Last season, in averaging more than 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game on elite efficiency, Durant earned the 15th All-Star selection of his distinguished career. The future Hall of Famer, former Most Valuable Player (MVP), and two-time NBA Finals MVP and champion turns 37 years old in September.
As for Green (traded to Phoenix in the Durant package), the 23-year-old's inconsistency was on full display during the recently completed 2025 NBA playoffs.
He had a team-high 38 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals in a Game 2 victory over the Golden State Warriors. In that first-round game, he made 13-of-25 shots (52.0%) and 8-of-18 from 3-point range (44.4%).
But in the other six games of the series, Green never exceeded 12 points or 40% shooting. Houston lost four of those six, including a season-ending loss in a winner-take-all Game 7 at home.
With Green as their top perimeter scorer, the Rockets were a good team, as evidenced by their 52-30 record in the regular season and a No. 2 placement in the Western Conference standings. But there were offensive limitations that ultimately got exposed in high-leverage, playoff situations.
The hope is that Durant brings many of the same highs, but without nearly the same lows.
More: Entering 2025 offseason, Rockets urged to 'level up' the offense
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