Kevin Durant says Rockets frustrated after 0–2 start, but sees fire as positive

The Rockets are winless and frustrated, and according to Kevin Durant, that’s exactly how they should feel.

“Coaching staff is pissed off, players are pissed off,” Durant said, via ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime after Houston’s 115–111 home loss to the Pistons on Friday night. “We want a better outcome, and it’s early too. So for us to feel that way, I like that kind of energy.”

Durant poured in 37 points in his Toyota Center debut, going 9-for-18 from the field and 16-of-18 at the line. Rockets legends Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon were in attendance, but the home crowd left disappointed after Detroit closed strong to hand Houston its second straight narrow defeat.

Like the season-opening double-overtime loss to Oklahoma City, this one came down to the wire. With under 30 seconds remaining and the Rockets trailing by two, Durant drew a double team on a pick-and-roll and dished to Alperen Sengun, whose shot was blocked by Pistons forward Paul Reed. Cade Cunningham iced the game at the foul line moments later.

“I’m still finding the balance of when to take over and when to get guys in rhythm,” Durant said. “In that fourth quarter I got aggressive and made them double me, and I think we got some good looks.”

Durant scored 14 of Houston’s 23 points in the final period, while no other Rocket had more than three. He’s averaging 30 points through two games on 53 percent shooting and 43 percent from three since signing a two-year, $90 million extension last weekend.

Guard Amen Thompson said the locker room shares Durant’s frustration.

“We can’t keep saying it’s just two close games,” Thompson said, via ESPN. “We have championship-level expectations. We’ve got to play our best every night.”

At 0–2, the Rockets have yet to find their rhythm, but Durant’s leadership and blunt honesty suggest they won’t stay down for long.