Austin Rivers says whether Kevin Durant title with Rockets or Warriors would be most impressive

Rivers believes Durant would finally be ‘the head of the snake’ in Houston

Former NBA player Austin Rivers argues that a potential Rockets championship would carry different significance compared to Kevin Durant’s Golden State titles.

The key difference lies in Durant’s role as the undisputed team leader rather than joining an established championship core.

“He needs another title, but getting one with the Rockets would feel different, yes, because he would be the best player on the team,” Rivers explained.

Rivers highlighted the contrast with Durant’s Warriors experience, where Stephen Curry remained the franchise cornerstone.

The system and foundation belonged to the Warriors‘ existing culture rather than Durant’s leadership.

“People would probably put Steph ahead of Kevin, and Steph was the head of that snake of that team. The whole system was kind of based off of him,” Rivers continued.

Durant addresses Houston’s missing piece from last season’s playoff run

The Rockets’ second-place Western Conference finish showcased their defensive excellence, but playoff success requires elite scoring capability.

Durant provides the offensive firepower Houston lacked during crucial postseason moments.

“The foundation was built there [in Golden State]. Houston didn’t go to the Finals last year, Houston also didn’t beat Kevin and knock him out of the playoffs. He also would be by and large, the best player on this team,” Rivers added.

Durant’s arrival transforms Houston from a defensive-minded contender into a complete championship threat.

The combination of the Rockets’ young core with Durant’s veteran scoring ability positions them among Western Conference favorites to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder in the upcoming season.