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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Houston Rockets enter the season with extra pressure. Just a little more than normal. The expectations changed when they brought in Kevin Durant, and now the question is whether this group can finally turn all of its potential into a deeper playoff run.
Houston didn't make a lot of noise this offseason, but the moves it did make were about filling in the gaps. So, it's a good thing.
Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic were added in free agency, giving the Rockets two experienced players who can help in areas that became problems last season. Injuries exposed Houston's lack of depth and shooting at times, and both veterans bring skills the roster needed.
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Smart brings toughness, defense and the kind of leadership that helps when the games get bigger. Bogdanovic gives the Rockets another reliable shooter and offensive option. Houston also added Bruce Thornton through the draft while moving on from Dorian Finney-Smith in a trade.
The biggest factor, however, might come from within. The Rockets are counting on continued growth from Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason. That group represents the future of the franchise, and another year of development could change the ceiling of this team. Getting veterans Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams back healthy also gives Houston more stability.
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Then there is Durant. After spending last season getting comfortable in a new environment, the hope is that Year 2 in Houston looks smoother. A more settled Durant alongside a younger core could be exactly what the Rockets need to make a bigger jump.
The pressure is real, though. Houston has been unable to get past the first round in its last two playoff appearances, and patience only lasts so long when expectations rise.
General manager Rafael Stone has continued to believe in this group, and the organization clearly thinks the pieces are already in place. Now the Rockets have to prove it. The talent is there. The next step is showing they can deliver when the season gets serious.
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