Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant struggled in the second half of Game 2 against the LA Lakers on Tuesday. After the former MVP dropped 20 points in the first half, the Lakers consistently blitzed him, forcing one of the NBA’s all-time greatest scorers to give up the ball. Durant ended with 23 points in Houston’s 101-94 loss.
When asked by reporters on Thursday about what Durant should do to counter LA’s strategy, Jabari Smith Jr. responded that “it’s on him to find ways to get himself involved.”
Smith’s response earned reactions from fans. One fan wrote:
“That burner is going to be cooking tonight.”
Another fan added:
“Bari just told KD to figure it out and carry this team with 2 guys on him cause they can’t help.”
One more fan continued:
“KD was right. He can’t trust jabari making shots.”
Another fan commented:
“KD was right in calling them all ‘idiots’ in a nicer term.”
One fan tweeted:
“(Smith) might actually be retarded.”
Fans unsurprisingly brought back the so-called “KD Burner Files” after Smith’s remark. During the All-Star weekend in mid-February, messages from an alleged Durant burner account called Smith a player who can’t “make a f**kn shot or get a stop” and “lowkey retarded.” Durant refused to defuse the tension by telling reporters that he wouldn’t address those rumors as the Rockets regrouped after the All-Star break.
In the interview, Jabari Smith Jr. emphasized that they are unlikely to overturn the series if the Rockets can’t have Kevin Durant playing his usual game. Smith added that he and his teammates needed “to be aggressive” if the Lakers blitzed Durant again.
The Lakers’ all-out double teams and pressure defense on KD have given the Rockets trouble all season long. In their final two regular-season meetings, LA used the same strategy in back-to-back head-to-head wins.
Jabari Smith Jr. Vows Rockets Will Play Better Against LA’s Kevin Durant Blitz
After emphasizing Kevin Durant’s role against the Lakers’ blitz, Jabari Smith Jr. added:
“There’s still ways around it, and we got some fixes to (the Durant trap), and we’re gonna be better the next two games.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka already gave away what his team planned to do should the Lakers continue to trap KD. Udoka emphasized that being aggressive is crucial for Houston. The coach wants his team to attack, particularly if Lakers center Deandre Ayton or any of the bigs are part of the blitz.
Game 3 in Houston on Friday will determine how Udoka, Smith and Durant’s adjustments will work.
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