Kevin Durant reached another scoring milestone, passing Wilt Chamberlain for seventh place on the NBA all-time list, according to The Associated Press. Durant moved past Chamberlain on a three-pointer during the Rockets‘ loss to the Trail Blazers on Friday.
Chamberlain finished his career with 31,419 points. It shouldn’t take long for Durant to also surpass Dirk Nowitzki, who is sixth on the career list with 31,560 points.
“To be amongst the greats is always an honor,” Durant said. “Wilt is somebody I studied and tried to look up to as much as I can, a player like that. Like I always say, he set a standard for NBA players, and [I’m] grateful to reach that — and inspired by what he produced for the game of basketball.”
Here’s more on the Rockets:
- Houston went 1-of-17 from the three-point line during the fourth quarter on Friday and 10-of-44 for the game. Over the last four games with Alperen Sengun out of the lineup, the Rockets have shot 37-of-158 (23.4%) from beyond the arc, William Guillory of The Athletic notes. Jabari Smith Jr. missed all 10 of his three-point tries on Friday and is shooting 25% from deep this month. “Not being as aggressive or confident as he should. You could see it on his face,” coach Ime Udoka said of Smith’s struggles. “If you’re not making shots, you’ve got to insert yourself in other ways. Get out in transition. Crash the glass. Defend. Create turnovers to turn defense into offense. You can’t always rely on jump shots.”
- Tari Eason departed Friday’s game early with a right ankle sprain. Eason, who is averaging 12 points per game, had six points in 16 minutes after registering double-doubles in two of the previous three games.
- Steven Adams provided details to Guillory on his lengthy rehab from a serious knee injury. However, Adams said his love of the game allowed him to push through the tedious process. “It’s a never-ending thing. This is the stuff that happens to your body; you’ve got to manage it for the rest of your life,” Adams said. “But I love playing. I love being part of this team. That’s just the cost of it.” Adams’ playing time has risen this month — he’s averaging 30.5 minutes in three games.
Unless they make major moves at the deadline, the Lakers, Rockets and Suns are all paper tigers. They will all fold in the 2nd half, for various roster-related reasons that they are kind of all locked into and can’t really move from. I would think they are more 8-10 seeds than top 6.
Clippers, Blazers and Warriors are all surging. It’s hilarious how the Warriors literally went 7-3 over their last 10 and everyone is crying that it’s over for them. What a joke. Just people brain broken by Curry, wishcasting that they want him to be out of the league, so he can stop owning their fave teams. Which he still is. Steph Curry has basically been an identical player every year from his 2021-22 season onwards, and still is that dude.
It’s such an awful perspective to have, to bring up that Curry’s time is “coming to an end” when it factually isn’t – that’s pure wishcasting. You want to beat the best at their best, or you are soft. Not one aspect of Curry’s game has slowed down or gotten worse. He is the same guy year in and out: MVP-tier.
So Rockets have had more top 5 picks than OKC and they both started rebuilding around the same time. Okc only high pick is Chet. JDub was end of lottery. Deing is a bust for them but a pick before Jalen.
But Houston failed on Jalen Green and Jabari Smith. If Jabari has a market they will move him. Amen seems to be their only high hit. If Houston could redraft they would take Mobley or Barnes over Green and the next year Jalen Williams over Jabari.
Giddey was #6 by OKC
Yes but Giddey was already moved, but would we not say Giddey is a better player than Green and Jabari too? He has his limitations no doubt but he is not worse than both of them. Houston just moved Green and I don’t even think he played a game yet this season.
OKC had some success with Giddey but when Jalen emerged faster than expected it made Giddey expendable.
Drafts are not usually 6 players deep either, the 6th pick you expect a solid starter long term not a star. Green was #2 and Jabari #3 you expect a cornerstone franchise level in the top 3 picks.
But they used Giddey to get Caruso who was fundamental for their title run.
Sengun is a better player than Amen and Rockets got him I believe at 16 from a trade with the Mavericks
6th seed Rockets need a Floor Commander General (point guard) to complement Alperen Şengün and Kevin Durant.
Clearly Spurs, Nuggets and Thunder are better than Rockets. If Rockets are planning to win ain Playoffs, they will have to be better than those 3 teams
Improve offensive flow — NBA Top talents Amen Thompson and Jabari Smith
If Playoffs start today,
Rockets first round – Nuggets
Rockets second round – Spurs
Rockets third round – Thunder
Rockets would be highly unlikely to win a series in playoffs
watch them try to pick up Ja Morant or Alvardo. Here is teh thing about every team in the NBA top 10 teams once 1 or your top 2 players is out you will not be a top team.
Rockets don’t have salaries to match Morant $40 million without VanVleet approval.
What if VanVleet does not want to play for Grizzlies?
Finney Smith $12 million
Sheppard $10 million
Capela $7 million
Eason $5 million
Total $34 million
Van Fleet has no say in who he wants to play for.
actually FVV does. He has a no trade clause and a player option for 25 million next year
If VanVleet ops out of next year I don’t think anyone else will sign him for 25 million.
Sillyfan proving his lack of knowledge to even suggest the Rockets would consider trading Reed Sheppard
Rockets gotta trade for Ja Morant, take advantage while his value is low
This isn’t 2k were you can force the other team to accept trades. Who do the rockets trade for Ja? The only player with “some” value they’d let go is Tari Eason. Jabari’s contract probably makes the Grizzlies not want him so what’s the trade offer? Eason + end of the bench players for Ja? Don’t think that gets it done